St. Andrew’s Church Welcomes Sudanese Visitors

7:33pm Tuesday 15th July 2008

• BERYL Hamlet reports that recently the members of the Mothers' Union of St. Andrew's Church in the Weymouth Deanery were delighted to welcome eight wives of Sudanese Bishops, accompanied by an eloquent interpreter, to Weymouth.

The Diocese of Salisbury, of which Weymouth is part, has a Christian link with Sudan, and the wives were guests of the Mothers' Union for the two weeks prior to attending the Lambeth Conference. In this period the Sudanese Bishops took part in the Partners' Conference in Salisbury, a forum in which partners from around the world have the chance to build strategic plans to help develop the future of the Episcopal Church. T he ladies arrived at the Church in time for mid-day prayers and were welcomed by The Rector, Rev Tim West together with Mothers' Union Leader Mrs. Meg Ackroyd and members of the local Mothers' Union branch. There was a short service of mid-day prayers and hymns during which the ladies from Sudan sang. After the service, the Rector showed the ladies around St. Andrew's Church, including the bell tower where the art of bell ringing was demonstrated by member Neville Wood. Some of the ladies even tried their hand at bell ringing themselves! Everyone then adjourned to the Church Rooms where a light lunch, prepared by members of the Mothers' Union, was served. The guests were presented with mementoes of their visit and following this taken on a conducted tour of the coast of Weymouth, from Bowleaze Cove to the Harbour, before moving on to St. Aldhelm's Church in Radipole for tea prior to their return to Salisbury.

Unfortunately the weather was not at its best, but everyone enjoyed themselves, as can be seen from the photographs. The ladies were delighted to be able to sample the Western way of life, and, most appreciative of their visit, thanked the Mothers' Union for their hospitality. In April, the Diocesan President of the Mothers' Union, Bridget Trump, visited Sudan and met many women whom she found hugely welcoming and positive, despite witnessing the recent atrocities of war there. After many years of conflict, peace is still very fragile and the issues of poverty, disease and tribal conflict are major matters that require prayers and support. Everyone in Weymouth also found the ladies most happy and friendly despite the problems of their country.

• THERE are two Team Walks planned for August. The first of these will be starting from Abbotsbury car park at 1pm on Saturday, 2 August. The walk will be about 5 miles in length, and wend its way along the coast to Portesham. Cream teas will be available at the end of the walk. For further details, give Dawn and Diana a call on 834226. The second is a fortnight later, on Saturday, 16 August, on the Arne peninsula. This short walk will start from the Arne RSPB car park, which is free to members, and it is recommended that you take binoculars. Jean and Terry are leading this walk, and have further information on 832792 if needed.

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