Breakfast Meeting at the Heronston Hotel
Mon, Dec 13th 2021 at 8:30 am - 9:30 am
Christmas Address Rev. Glenda Oglesbee
President Elect Robin Bratton and the Rotarians who arranged last week's Christmas Dinner were thanked for an excellent evening. Robin stated that there are only limited placed available for the Aquabox fundraising dinner at Seasons Restaurant, Bridgend College on 24th March 2022.
An award was presented to Terry Moseley in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the MS Society Cymru.
Community Service Team Lead Hopkin Joseph gave an update on the Christmas charity collections at Tesco Brewery Lane, complimenting the new banner designed by Sue Cassidy and the Father Christmas board for the card reader designed by Treasurer Phil Davies. Phil reported that £36 had been raised using the card reader despite some initial teething problems which will be addressed in time for next week's collections. Many of the cash collection bins were filled, all in all a very successful weekend.
The next round of the Rotary Area Quiz will be against Rotary Swansea at 7.30pm on Wednesday 12th January 2022.
Confirmation that the International Dinner with a speaker will be held on the evening of 7th March 2022.
Rev. Glenda Oglesbee, from St. David's Chruch, Pencoed, joined by her husband Mel, gave an excellent and thought provoking Christmas address, reminding us all that there are both good and bad sides to the festive period. Glenda reminded us that the religous festival is often overtaken by commercialisation and that not everyone is able to get together with their families at Christmas. As an example, Glenda is a Chaplain at Parc Prison where it is particularly difficult for the fathers being away from their loved ones.
Glenda shared with us her Christmas likes, having the family round (though interrupting Strictly Come Dancing sounded as if it should be avoided at all costs!), the Christmas services at midnight and in the morning, and hearing church bells being rung. Glenda left us with the thought that the way out of the commercialisation is through celebrating the reason for Christmas, the birth of Jesus.
