Minutes of the meeting of Coleraine Probus Club

Attendance: 47 members were in attendance.

Apologies: Eric Fulton, Brian Green, Graham Kane, John McKegney, Reggie Patterson and Jim Torrens (6)

Club President Jim Archer welcomed club members to the meeting. This morning’s talk will be given after the Weekly Business.

Weekly Business:

Minutes: The minutes of 16th February 2016 were read, agreed and signed by the President.

Matters arising: None not covered by the agenda

Correspondence: None

Reports:
Social: Joe Alcorn said that 44 members and guests enjoyed an excellent Club lunch on 23rd February. The next lunch will be held on Tuesday 22nd March 2016 and menus will be available at the next club meeting on Tuesday 8th March 2016.

Welfare: Cecil Spotten said he had nothing new to report this week. The President reported that Arthur Nicholl was back home. He has difficulty walking and standing which raises health concerns.

Treasurer: Nigel Semple said he had nothing to report.

A O B: None.

The President then introduced the speaker for the morning The Revd.Robert Simpson, his topic being “Recent Experiences in Nigeria”.

Robert together with Dr. John Wilson, his wife Sophie and Revd. Ian Ballantine travelled to Nigeria as representatives of SOMA (Sharing of Ministries Abroad). This is an Anglican focused mission agency that sends short term missions across the Anglican Communion to encourage the local church leadership, always at the invitation of the local Bishops. In this case the invitation came from The Rt. Revd. Christian Ugwuzor, Bishop of the Diocese of Aba in Southern Nigeria, previously the old Biafra region.

There is still a lingering discontent of the British blockade of the secessionist State of Biafra in the late sixties. Northern Nigeria is predominantly Muslim while the South is mainly Christian. Normally SOMA Representatives pay their own expenses but in this case the luxury accommodation was paid for by the State Governor.

Traditionally Cola nuts are presented to guests, a tradition not enjoyed by Robert. The visitors when travelling, were escorted by armed police to protect against kidnapping. Robert compared the Church in Aba with that in N. Ireland in the 1950’s.

Very Traditional using “Hymns Ancient and Modern” mostly Ancient and the Book of Common Prayer on all occasions. A proper dress code for clergy and laity is maintained at all times. A code which does not restrict enthusiasm in worship. The Church is involved in every aspect of life from schools and orphanages to hospitals and clinics. St. Michaels Cathedral incorporates a restaurant for the local population. The Church in Ireland could learn much from the Church in Nigeria.

A further brief summary of this talk is available in the speakers’ record book and here on the club website.

A vote of thanks, proposed by Robin Semple was passed on to Revd. Simpson by the President. The members showed their appreciation.

Next Speakers Meeting: Will be on 8th March, when the guest speaker will be Mr. John McDowell the topic of his talk being “Dramatic Stories and Stage Memories”

The President thanked everyone for attending, and hoped to see them at our next meeting.

Meeting closed at 12:00 noon.

SIGNED: Jim Archer
President
DATE: 8th March 2016