Discovering Christianity
My Faith: Beryl Bannister
Beryl talks to her Love Bird, ‘Lovely’
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Beryl Bannister (69) has always seen life
as something special.
She was brought up as a Christian, but Church seemed to change
over the years. She had a strict upbringing and married Gerald,
who worked first as a Miner and then spent 36 years with Bass
Brewery.
Beryl remembers when they were building Immanuel Church, and
started attending when the family moved into the same road
as the Church over 30 years ago.
She stopped going to Church when Gerald’s shift work
made it difficult – and in later years her family wanted
to visit on a Sunday.
Her friends Ivy and Gwen invited her
back to Church after her beloved Gerald died 18 months ago
and once she started
coming she realised that she knew many of the congregation
from the area and from the “New Start” Charity
shop. The shop was started by the Church over 10 years ago
and still draws some volunteers from the congregation as well
as other Christians in the area.
Now the advent of mobile phones means
that she hears from her family more often and they can arrange
their visits so
she can go to Church as well. She tells me that she is very
pleased to have seen her first great grandson “Kerrian” who
was born in 22nd December.
Beryl has become very involved in Church
life – presently
taking a full part in the Lent Course on ethical issues, and
she is hoping to be elected to the Parish Church Council in
April.
60 years ago Beryl was badly injured
in a car accident and she remembers the doctor telling her
family that the best thing
for her recovery was “loving care without hugs and kissing
(that’s pampering)”. She sees God as a Father figure
who gives us loving care (without hugs and kisses) throughout
our lives. We all need to know that love.
Beryl has always been able to care
for people who are sick in the area, as well as her birds,
hamsters and fish. She is
pictured with her Love Bird who she named “Lovely” but
who calls himself “Beauty” when he speaks.
Interviewed by the Vicar on 16th March 2006
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