A year in the life of St. Mary Magdalen, Sheet

Transport:
Jack Smart

There has only been one call for transport to the Church Services over the past year, which was successfully fulfilled.

Over Fifties Group- Singles (SMOFS):
Marguerite McGuire

The SMOFS Group now has 43 members, and continues to welcome anyone in the parish who is on their own.

Our programme consists mainly of informal gatherings. We have tea on the first Sunday in the month in someone's house; a pub lunch (with transport arranged for those who need it) and we meet together for coffee at the Old Stables on the second Tuesday in the month. The highlights of the past year have been a shared lunch in the garden at Pulens Crescent and a Christmas Lunch at Bulmer House which over 30 members enjoyed.

Sadly, we lost Jennifer Clarke, who died in the summer. She was one of our younger members and will always be remembered for her outstanding courage and cheerfulness. Kay Roper left us to go and live with her sister in Birmingham, and Cynthia Forster is now in the south of France, living with her only son. On the other hand, we have welcomed Pam Rumble, Babs Goose and June Fergusson.

At the end of 2004, after ten years, Mary Boase and Marguerite McGuire, joined latterly by Muriel Sandy and Pam Dickins, retired as organisers, and at the Bulmer House Christmas lunch were presented with some beautiful roses by our vicar Rob Dewing. Those in charge will now be Jane Starbuck, Sonia Ratsey and Peggy Whitby who would be very pleased to welcome anyone on their own who would like to join the group.

It is interesting to note that SMOFS originated as a result of the first ALPHA Course in 1994 when Peter Ingrams was our vicar. I think we can truthfully say that it has fulfilled a need, and many people have said how much it has meant to them when they were first on their own, and how they have valued the friendships they have made.

Our aim is summed up in the prayer, "0 Lord, grant us the wisdom to see the needs of others, and to stand by those in distress. We pray that you will bless our activities so that fellowship may turn to friendship, and joy may enter the hearts of all of us who live alone”.