Introducing another new member to the Provincial Board

I was born on the island of in St Kitts and was christened at Estridge Moravian Church. I was later confirmed and became a member of the Zion Moravian Church.

In 1953 Rev Peter Gubi and his wife Mrs Maud Gubi, were serving at Zion. Mrs Gubi holds a special place in my memory as she became the first woman to conduct services at Zion.

I attended the Girls High School in St Kitts where Mrs Maud Gubi taught Religious Education. My favourite subjects were Geography and English Literature. During my time at Zion, I was very active in the life of the Church, and also a member of the Girls Brigade, served as a Church Steward and sang in both the Junior and Senior Choirs.

I came to the United Kingdom to pursue a career in nursing. I trained at the Orsett Hospital entering the State Enrolled Nurse (SEN) programme. Through determination and a desire to continue learning I progressed to the State Registered Nurse (SRN) programme at Frimley Park Hospital, an Operating Theatre Course at Whipps Cross Hospital and my Midwifery training at the London Hospital now The Royal London Hospital.

It was also during the time as a Midwife that I undertook my first management role. I was given the opportunity to establish and develop a Teenage Antenatal Clinic which was the first of its kind in the United Kingdom.

This was a significant responsibility. It required vision, organisation, compassion and the ability to work with others. It also opened my eyes to the importance of looking beyond the immediate professional role and considering the wider circumstances affecting people’s lives.

My professional journey continued through training, counselling and multi-disciplinary courses at Canterbury College now Kent University. I qualified in Group and Interpersonal Skills, and I studied Psychology at the University of London and trained professionals from many fields, including nursing, teaching disabilities and family planning. I also became a Qualified Holistic Therapeutic Masseuse and ran a small private practice.

Throughout my years in Britian, my connection with the Moravian Church remained important. I worshipped at Harold Road Moravian Church, where my son Richard was christened. Later the Church moved from Harold Road to the Hibiscus Community Centre and now it is at St Pauls Church in Stratford.

Growing up on the Island of St Kitts, I was familiar with Synod from an early age. It was held every two years and moved from Island to Island. Synod was always a significant occasion when it came to St Kitts. Synodals were often welcomed into local homes with businesses providing groceries and church members and the wider community preparing meals. There was a sense of peace and anticipation across the island whenever Synod was in progress.

Attending Synod at Swanwick was a very different experience and my first opportunity to participate in it. I was particularly struck by the pre-Synodal meeting, where the workings and responsibilities of Synod were explained I remembered thinking, ‘This is a big deal’ and soon realised how important the work truly was. I especially enjoyed the daily opening and closing prayers and singing the canticle which took me back to my days at Zion.

Although I had considered applying for a place on the Provincial Board it was not until during Synod that I finally made the decision. I was encouraged to offer my management skills, knowing they could contribute to the work of the Church.

I remain deeply committed to the Moravian Church. My goal is to work alongside congregations to help the Church grow, by listening, supporting and finding practical solutions to move on.

Sr Carmen Warner
Provincial Board