BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – IT IS A PLACE for mingling, meeting friends and making new ones; it is a place for recreation and learning; it is a place they go to on Tuesday mornings to recharge their batteries and participate once more in the vibrant life they had before.
The place is the Wesley Methodist Church Hall (aka the Old Boys’ School) and the group meeting there is the Moravian Senior Club, open to all denominations and growing at a rapid rate, doubling its membership in just six months.
On Tuesday morning of this week (July 3. 2012) the highlight of the meeting was the presentation of certificates to ten members who had completed a Basic Computer Skills Course.
The members, with ages ranging from fifty to eighty plus, proudly stepped up to receive their certificates from tutors Mr Wesley Wharton and Mr. Austin Gumbs.
They were: Evelyn Christopher, Pedro Douglas, Mavis Frederick, Margaret Hodge, Veronica James, Susannah Lee, Siggrid Richardson, Beatrice Sargeant, Frances Williams, Helen Woods.
Both the tutors and the tutored related what a valuable experience it was, for the members now boast of e mail addresses, the ability to communicate with children and grandchildren abroad, internet surfing and how to send and receive picture attachments.
Sis. Mavis Frederick, on behalf of the other students, thanked the tutors for their patience with them and in turn the tutors said how thrilling it was to witness the enthusiasm of the students.
The course was accommodated at the Open Campus of the University of the West Indies, and heartfelt thanks was also expressed to them.
But, as related by the Secretary/Treasurer, Sis. Clarita Richards in her report, the above activity is not the only achievement of the past six months. They have striven to keep their programmes as varied as possible in order to make them interesting and relevant to the needs of the members.
The vibrancy of the Club could be attributed to the range of activities that has occurred over the past six months. These included
• Regular devotions and physical exercises
• Bible studies led by ministers of different churches
• Guest speakers on different topics including legal issues for seniors and doctor-patient relationships
• Craft sessions
• Board games and word games ‘that challenge the brain cells’
• Discussions on community celebrations such as Mothers’ Day, Fathers’ Day, Labour Day and Black History Month
• Singing and impromptu talent shows
• Outings – Easter picnic and a ride on the Scenic Railway
• Attending worship together on two occasions at different churches
With programmes like these it is hardly surprising that the Club whose membership stood at 37 in January now has 62 members six months later.
Also attending the Tuesday morning meeting was Rev. Hilton Joseph, Superintendent of the Moravian Churches of St. Kitts, who presented membership certificates to new members, expressed his satisfaction and delight at the progress of the Club and pledged his support and that of the Moravian Church to future activities.
President of the Club is Mrs Doris Adams, Vice President is Mr. Pedro Douglas and Secretary/Treasurer is Ms. Clarita Richards while Mavis Frederick is the Member-representative on the Executive.
Overall, the Club exudes warmth and a definite feeling of Christian Fellowship. Enquiries concerning membership can be directed to any of the executive members named above.
