The aim of this meeting is to encourage people to continue in the Christian faith. The ladies can look back on years of Sunday School and church attendance to the days when the clergy and perhaps Church Army sisters were the only people deemed qualified to speak about Christianity; when faith was something private between the believer and God. Recently some of these ladies have been telling their life stories. Some grew up in great poverty. Some have known much tragedy. Some have had, and still have, severe ill health. Two world wars have had an impact on their lives. Some have had a smooth journey through life. Most have been content to be wives and mothers and only a few have professional qualifications.
But a casual visitor would never know there had been any suffering because these ladies do not grumble: they count their blessings. Problems are only discussed privately with sympathetic listeners.
When we meet we share news and prayer requests. We sing hymns. Someone leads in prayer and there is a Bible reading and a Bible based talk. Quite often the speaker is a member of Christ Church, but we have links with other churches in the area and we value the ministry of their members. There has been long-term support for the Leprosy Mission and we make occasional gifts to individuals who work overseas. Knitted blankets and jumpers are sent to East Africa via “Containers of Hope”.
One could say that Wednesday Welcome is more of a network than a meeting as there is a good deal of unseen ministry, e.g., friendship for the housebound, support for the sick, hospital visiting, being good neighbours, being ambassadors of Jesus Christ here on earth.
There are the informal events: Summer Lunch, Mystery Car Drive, Old-Fashioned Tea and, perhaps best of all, in June, we enjoy tea in a beautiful garden hosted by one of our church members.
I became the leader of Wednesday Welcome in January 1991 somewhat reluctantly and only because I aim to respond positively to an invitation to serve God. Now I count it a privilege to have this ministry. A dedicated committee supports me. We have found it to be so true that our God is a generous God. “Give and it will be given to you, a good measure will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you,” said Jesus in Luke’s gospel.
Pam Robinson