Pakefield Church’s Mothers’ Union meets from 2.00 – 3.30pm in the Church Hall on the third Thursday of each month. They are a friendly group of ladies (although men may also join).  They also host and lead the Living for Life course that we run as part of our marriage preparation course.  

PAKEFIELD MOTHERS’ UNION – PAKEFIELD BRANCH

Sue took the service at our April meeting based on Easter, the next day being Good Friday, before introducing our speaker – our own Revd Sharon – whose talk was entitled “Sabbatical Reflections” her theme being “Caring for God’s creation and its safeguarding. Listen and look to God who has made all these wonderful creations for us so that we may be inspired and calmed”.

Sharon started her mission with a visit to a wildflower meadow organised by Suffolk Wildlife Trust, other visitors included gardeners and farmers, all gathering information on how to use gardens and spaces wisely to provide such a habitat. As a country, we are increasingly becoming aware of the decline of habitat for native birds, animals and insects. The use of plastic has significantly harmed the environment and contributed to climate change. We need to leave spaces for wildflowers and even weeds, providing food and pollen for the declining bee and insect population, places where butterflies may feed and lay their eggs and for their caterpillars. This is what Sharon perceives for the cemetery where she hopes it will be possible to plant areas of wildflowers, which prefer poor soil, such as Cowslips, Sorrel, Plantain, Buttercups, Clover and the enchantingly named Stinky Bob Geranium, or Herb Robert (crush the leaves to find out how it got its name). Yellow Rattle is a valuable plant which allows a variety of flowers to grow by suppressing grass growth. The dandelion supports many different species of insects, which then go on to feed birds. Still within the church grounds; Sharon recalled the visit of the Estate Manager of Suffolk Wildlife Trust who gave advice on making the area environmentally friendly to our native birds and bees. Thus, in 2020, the line of hawthorn along the edge of the car park was planted and is now thriving. We need to get rid of non-native plants, such as the Tree Lupin, and also bear in mind what is planted where our sheep graze, although they are a good source of recycling the Christmas trees! Our sheep, observed Sharon, were one of the reasons she applied for the job!!! Thanks to our volunteers Sharon added – Rodney, Alan Fox and Leo. Pets are always welcome in our church which is open every day, (we have a certificate to prove it!) not to mention the donkeys and, when Spring arrives – lambs. The Pet Service is always a huge success with a variety of animals (and insects!) each of which is blessed by Sharon.

Australia – Brisbane, Queensland; When visiting churches Sharon observed that not many had cemeteries integral with the church but in a separate location nearby. Sharon visited an island with a familiar name – Stradbroke – discovered by James Cook and is now a settlement with tourism being a major industry which provides seasonal jobs for the indigenous people who live there.

Ayres Rock – Uluru – is a sacred and sensitive site for Aboriginals, photographs are not allowed and it is not to be climbed. Sharon remarked how red is the rock and a special sight at sunrise and sunset.

Sharon ended her talk saying that it was only the tip of the iceberg of her journey of three months, which provoked the inevitable question of when can we book her for next year’s programme! Stirred from our reverie as we followed her journey, we look forward to her further experiences in Australia. Sue thanked Sharon and it was time for refreshments including buttered hot cross buns and tea. Next meeting is on the 15th May when our speaker is Katey from the Care Farm.