Hello everyone,
I hope everyone had a lovely Easter. Last month, I began another new role within the Church as a Server. This is a progression from starting in the Vestry Group at the age of three to now nearly being eighteen and having a more active role within the Church.
This month I thought it would be a lovely idea to interview Mary-Jane Traber who has recently taken over the co-ordinating of the Vestry Group. Mary-Jane married her husband Max in St Eustachius’ Church on 16th April 1979 and they have two children; Lisa-Marie and Martyn. Lisa-Marie is getting married in St Eustachius’ this year. Mary-Jane has taught children from 0-16 during her career and retired from St Rumon’s in 2013 after nearly 23 years there. Her hobbies are amateur dramatics, attending Curves gym, reading and walking her dog.
1) How are you settling into your new role as the Vestry Group co-ordinator?
It has been many years since I led a Sunday School group so I have been very fortunate to have the help, experience and support of Alison Boulter. She has kindly lent me resources and has led several sessions and meetings. I have a core group of people that have been supportive too, including Hilary Johnson, Mary, Martha and Lily Walke.
2) Do you think it would be a good idea to have more social events for the Vestry Group?
If there is enough support for these I would be happy to organise them.
3) Do you think ‘Open the Book’ will encourage more children to join the Vestry Group?
The Open the Book team have been going into St Rumon’s and St Peter’s to act out Bible stories and to ask the children to reflect on the meanings of these stories. We have been well received and find that it is an opportunity to encourage the children from our Church Schools to attend Vestry Group.
4) Have you enjoyed getting involved with Messy Church?
I have welcomed the opportunity to meet and work with members of the congregation, other children and families. I feel I can use my skills and school experiences to good effect within Messy Church. It has been a fantastic experience and I am looking forward to the next session on 4th May.
5) What are your plans for the Vestry Group in the future?
I have started a Reflections File that I will display in church to show other members of the congregation and visitors what we do in Vestry Group and how the children think and feel about the sessions. The children are very perceptive and are thinking about how they can use the teachings in their own lives and those of others. This may be followed by a Prayer File.
I want to build on the enthusiasm of the children for Drama and to share more presentations in the church service.
May is a month when the exam season starts and I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone taking GCSEs or A-Levels every success. I will be taking my final A-Level exams so please include me in your prayers so that I can reach my goal of going to University and becoming a Primary School Teacher!
With love, Martha