With the pandemic closing off many opportunities for fundraising, Reepham & District Rotary Club is set to benefit from a new idea that is already creating a lot of interest and attracting funds.
Photo: submitted
The club’s member of the clergy, Ven. Arthur Hawes (pictured), came up with the idea of gathering together all the best sermons from a long career and embarking on a ten-hour “preach-a-thon”.
He will be sustained by tonic water, the occasional protein and comfort break, the Holy Spirit, and the attendance of members and friends.
Arthur will undertake this considerable feat of sustained speaking from 9 am on Saturday 25 September at St Mary’s Reepham and is collecting sponsorship HERE.
His target is £3,000 to support the Rotary Club’s new Sunshine Café, for those living with memory loss and their carers, and other Rotary charities. The twice-monthly memory café will start in Reepham in September.
In the first week of fundraising, he is already a third of the way to this target. As well as people sponsoring Arthur, some members are also sponsoring agnostic friends to come along and listen.
The collected sermons will cover a wide range of topics, based on a long and varied ministry.
Arthur retired as Archdeacon of Lincoln in September 2008. His earlier ministry in Norfolk covered the parishes of Attlebridge, Alderford, Swannington and Gaywood. He has much to draw on for the 80 or so sermons that will be needed.
He has done extensive work in mental health, including hospital chaplaincy, advising many health boards and working as a UK Mental Health Act Commissioner.
He has spoken and written much on spirituality and, as organiser of Saga chaplains, he has served and lectured widely on cruise ships.
Visitors to the church are welcome to come and listen for a bit. There is parking and opportunities for refreshments in the Market Place.
Richard Cooke