Life at Christ Church, Warwick
Transcription
Life at Christ Church, Warwick
Christ Church, Warwick The Church of Scotland in Bermuda (Founded 1719) Member of the International Presbytery Congregational Profile & Basics of Bermuda June 2015 With great anticipation, the Christ Church, Warwick family is eager to welcome our 30th minister to help guide us as servants of Christ as we approach our 300th birthday! 1 CONGREGATIONAL PROFILE OUR MISSION To proclaim the word of God and the Good News of Jesus Christ and to embrace all who come to worship. To nurture the entire Church family and to encourage Christian commitment and spiritual growth through Sunday School, Bible Study and other programmes. To build a caring Church community through fellowship which will give all the opportunity to contribute their differing gifts in service. To be an effective witness in Bermuda, demonstrating faith in action and to share Christian outreach worldwide. OUR VISION We strive to be a caring, diverse and vibrant congregation with a Vision to grow and expand our ministry to youth and adults of all ages. 2 History of Christ Church As the precise date on which Christ Church was opened is unknown, we have chosen as our birthday 24th April. It was on or about that day in 1719 that Thomas Gilbert executed a deed of trust granting one-half acre of land so that the “people of the Presbyterian persuasion” might erect a “Meeting House”. This tract has since been enlarged by gifts of land from Mr. and Mrs. William Obadiah Dunscombe and their heirs and from Mr. Copeland Stamers as well as by purchases. The walls of the original Meeting House still stand. Christ Church has the honour of an unbroken Presbyterian descent from the earliest settlers who first set foot upon the Islands. In 1844 the Session adopted the name “Christ’s Church”, which was shortened by usage to Christ Church. In 1845, Christ Church opted to become part of the Free Church of Scotland which in 1901 became the United Free Church of Scotland. It remained so until the split in the Church of Scotland was healed in 1929. The “Model Constitution” was adopted in 1982 and is still in effect. The relationship with the Church of Scotland changed with the passing of the Act Anent Overseas Charges 2001. A review in Edinburgh of overseas charges in 2005/7 led to a reorganization and as a result Christ Church became a member of the Church of Scotland’s Presbytery of Europe in 2008. This has recently become the Church of Scotland International Presbytery. We are approaching our 300th birthday as Presbyterians in Bermuda and the next Minister will be the 30th to serve Christ Church. 3 Congregation, Kirk Session, Board and Staff Christ Church has around 600 members and adherents with an attendance of approximately 150 each week. Our members are from all parts of the island and the 2012 Presbytery Survey showed attendees from 17 different countries on the day the survey was conducted. Our Kirk Session has approximately 35 active elders. The work of our Kirk Session is divided amongst 6 Ministries, with our Congregational Board for practical purposes, functioning as a 7th Ministry. These Ministries and their roles are outlined on the following pages and additional information is available on our website. A key concept for us is that every Ministry team has both elders and non-elders working together on the team. The Minister is assisted by a staff of a full time Sexton and part-time Church Administrator, Choir Director and Organist. Pictured: Liz Parker – part-time Church Administrator; Randy Bakabak – full time Sexton; Kirk Session 4 Life at Christ Church, Warwick The Kirk Session has, over a number of years, developed a system of Ministries, each of which is responsible for a particular aspect of the life and mission of the congregation, and all of which report to the Kirk Session. The Ministries are: Care Ministry; Communication Ministry; Congregational Board; Fellowship Ministry; Nurture Ministry; Outreach Ministry; Worship Ministry. Care Ministry Members of this Ministry visit the sick and infirm whether they are at home or in hospital. The Ministry distributes the church flowers to the sick, bereaved and housebound following the Sunday morning service. The Ministry also provides transport to and from church for those who are not able to drive and also to visitors following the Sunday service. There is a weekly collection of non-perishable food to support families through the Salvation Army. This Ministry provides “Care Notes”, which are helpful booklets on everything from how to cope with depression to questioning one’s faith. This Ministry hopes to expand in the coming months working closely with the Minister to more warmly welcome visitors and potential new members and help all members of our congregation feel part of Christ Church. 5 Loads of Love Loads of Love is part of Christ Church’s Ministry for the homeless and needy. The facility, which provides shower and laundry facilities and a cooked breakfast, is in its 5th year. The number of people using the facility, which is operated by up to 7 volunteers each week, is growing. Volunteers operate the laundry and complete between 12 and 16 loads of laundry a week. Towels, soap, shampoo, razors and toothpaste are provided for those who wish to wash or use the shower. Second hand clothes are also available for anyone in need. More than 25 people regularly share in breakfast which includes juice, cereal, scrambled egg, beans and sausages, toast and jam, coffee or tea. There are 53 loyal and hard working volunteers on the rota at this time. Loads of Love has proved to be a much needed facility, which is greatly appreciated by our clients. It not only helps their hunger pangs, it restores a modicum of dignity to their lives. Loads of Love is self-governing and comes under the aegis of the Care and Outreach Ministries. 6 Communication Ministry This Ministry has oversight of many aspects of communication – from the technical side of the systems to the maintenance of the website and Facebook pages. www.christchurch.bm www.facebook.com/Christ.Church.Warwick An "Assistive Listening" facility is available during the service for persons with hearing challenges. The Church's video equipment allows for all services in the Church to be simultaneously broadcast in the Thorburn Hall. Services are video recorded and posted on the Church website so anyone unable to attend may still connect with the Church on a weekly basis. Audio CDs are also made available. The Church publishes a quarterly Newsletter, which includes a message from the Minister and updates from the various Ministries. Past issues can be viewed on our website. An Order of Service is tailored for each service. Congregational Board The Board consists of 12 members of the Kirk Session and 12 members elected from the congregation. The Congregational Board deals with matters of finance and property and this function, normally seen within the Church as a temporal function, is now viewed as a Ministry in its own right. Christ Church Warwick is blessed with an impressive suite of buildings. It has a South Hall, which houses the Church office, a West Hall and the main Thorburn Hall. The Thorburn Hall is rented out to a nursery school that uses the facilities Monday through Friday. This generates revenue for the congregation and also provides a service to the community. The South Hall is used by a local health club and houses gym and fitness facilities. Again, this facility generates income for the congregation and gives some profile within the community beyond normal congregational activity. In 2011 a significant upgrade to the whole Church Hall complex was carried out. New windows were fitted, paint-work was refreshed and cedar wood restored. It is estimated that 2000 volunteer hours were donated to complete this work. 7 In 2012 a further upgrade of the Thorburn Hall was carried out to provide an extendable stage area and new professional audio-visual facilities were installed in the balcony. The property team has installed acoustic treatment and a theatrical lighting system, which has further enhanced the facility. It is hoped that these upgraded facilities will provide a more flexible space for the congregation and also attract external groups to use the hall. The congregation now has a licence to serve food from the large industrial kitchen and the Kirk Session has agreed to allow alcohol to be served on the premises on special occasions, such as the events staged by our Music and Drama Group (MAD). The Manse has a large garden, part of which has been turned into community allotments. Excess produce is brought to the Church for sharing. The property team has plans to refurbish the external masonry of the Church building, to repair or replace the floor and to completely rewire the electrical systems, in time for the 300th anniversary of Christ Church in 2019. The work is estimated to cost around $300,000. They hope to use a team of volunteers to help reduce labour costs and reach their goal. 8 Church Fair This important fundraiser for the Church features the time and talent of the entire congregation. From resale of treasures (golden elephants) to a popular bake sale, books, crafts, garden plants, children’s games/activities and fabulous food, this is an important fixture in the calendar of Christ Church and is normally held in November. 9 Church Finances The Church is fortunate to count among its assets a fine Church building and meeting halls on two acres of land and a large Manse on five acres of land. Unfortunately Bermuda's climate is not kind to buildings and a significant portion of the Church's finances are deployed maintaining these capital assets. In the past few years weekly offerings, the largest source of income, have decreased for a variety of reasons, principally due to members of the congregation leaving the island for career opportunities. In addition, many of the Church's other expenses have increased. These items have all contributed to a deteriorating financial position. The congregation has responded with donations of time, to assist with maintenance and renovation projects, social fundraising activities and financially with donations. We, not unlike other congregations and churches, face financial challenges. We need to improve the current financial situation and we wish to complete a number of projects in the near future, not least of which is for the Church's 300th anniversary in 2019. Pictured: Annual AGM along with Soup & Sandwich Lunch for Charity Bi-annual Clean Up This event, held in the Spring and Autumn, is a work party on the church properties involving all willing hands. Pictured: Even the children can help with our bi-annual cleanups. 10 Fellowship Ministry The Church o r g a n i s e s a variety of events a n n u a l l y to enhance our fellowship and our fund raising efforts, including an annual barbecue at the Manse, a popular Safari dinner, an annual Church picnic, garden fete, movie nights, a dinner/dance, quiz nights, senior teas, Christmas dinners, sandwich and bake sale fund raisers, and even the occasional car rally and a variety of ad hoc fund raising events. With the 300th anniversary of the Church soon approaching, we are working to augment the restoration fund with the Music and Drama group (MAD) which puts on quarterly shows (music, fashion etc.) with the purpose of raising funds for re-furbishing our beautiful church. 11 Nurture Ministry A team of 11 supports this active Ministry with the remit to encourage growth and commitment in the faith, through programmes for both youth and adults. Christ Church Youth (CCY) is our Sunday School programme with close to 60 children on the roll. There are four classes: Bubbles (3-5yrs); Splash (6-8yrs); X-treme (9-12 yrs) and then the teens for 13+. Gospel Light www.gospellight.com is used as the foundation for the curriculum. CCY takes place during the 11 a.m. service and typically there are about 30 children aged 3-16 in attendance. CCY actively contributes to the life of the Church in worship through participation in special services, and in other activities, such as fundraiser bake sales. A very successful Christmas 2014 Nativity programme saw CCY launch a production of "Unfrozen" www.childrens-ministry-deals.com , drawing inspiration from the well-known and very popular movie “Frozen”. During the summer months an all-age activity-based program is offered and run by parent volunteers to give the regular teachers a break over the school holiday. A creche is provided year round for children under 3 years of age. The Nurture Ministry also sponsors family movie nights in the Church hall, which have proved popular. Adult programmes include a regular Wednesday evening Bible study under the leadership of the Minister, a Sunday morning fellowship breakfast, as well as other ad-hoc programmes. In the past the Church has organized special conferences and this is something the Nurture Ministry would like to revisit again in the future. 12 Outreach Ministry This Ministry is concerned with helping the island and global communities that are in need. Projects include raising funds and awareness for local and overseas relief work, such as natural disasters. The Ministry supports a local rest home for seniors in Warwick. Residents attend church on a monthly basis, facilitated by a mini-bus purchased with funds largely raised by Christ Church. Funds are also raised by the Ministry to buy school uniforms for families in need. The Ministry also organizes “Spaghetti Sunday”, which is a collection of pasta and sauces etc. on the first Sunday of each month. All donations go to the Salvation Army for distribution. Bermuda Overseas Missions (BOM), while being a separate registered charity, has its roots in Christ Church. Founded in 2002 the programme was established to help put faith into action and seek outreach activities to help the global community. The group focused on a partnership with Habitat for Humanity in their Global Village programme helping to construct homes for the needy. Initially the first trip in 2003 was with Church members to Montana, USA. The following year a trip to Bolivia was announced and the group expanded to include the community of Bermuda. To date there have been 17 trips made to three continents of the globe visiting over 16 different countries. The trips focus on helping the youth of Bermuda experience other countries that are more impoverished than Bermuda and help to make a difference by constructing homes for the needy. BOM appeals to the whole community of Bermuda including the schools, Government programmes to help “at risk students” and mentoring groups across the island. The group size on these trips started at around 20 volunteers, but continues to grow and one year took 50 volunteers to Romania. In 2015 a total of 32 volunteers went to Malawi. So far BOM has collectively taken more than 500 volunteers from Bermuda, helping to construct over 90 houses providing homes for more than 450 people. The programme continues to grow and some years have more than one trip. It is supported through fundraising activities at Christ Church, such as Fish Fries and Roti sales as well as corporate donors. 13 Worship Ministry This Ministry works closely with the Minister in reviewing and planning worship throughout the Christian year and in making proposals to the Kirk Session as to service times. It supports and encourages the Worship Teams (comprising lay members of the congregation) in their participation in and leading of worship (particularly when the Minister is on holiday or at Presbytery meetings). It also liaises with the Chancel Choir and the Bell Choir in their contribution to worship and, generally, in developing music in the Church; as well as coordinating the involvement of other Ministries in worship on specific occasions. Pictured (clockwise) : Worship Team and Chancel Choir; Easter Sunrise Service at Elbow Beach; Youth musicians sharing talents before the worship service. 14 THE FABRIC OF THE CHURCH Scottish Presbyterianism in Bermuda has existed since 1612 through strength of numbers when the first boatload of colonists arrived safely with a Scottish Minister. It became more organized in 1620, using the Parish Churches during the first 100 years and then building their own ‘meeting house’ in Warwick in 1719. This building was upgraded in 1837 into the major structure that we use today. Minor additions have been made over the years to provide for the needs of the day. Currently we are replacing all the sills and shutters as we restore the windows. The Church seats approximately 360 persons. It is equipped for sound and video recording. Christ Church Warwick is a very important historical building and being the second oldest Presbyterian ‘structure’ in continuous service to its congregation in this hemisphere. Only the Rehoboth Presbyterian Church in Rehoboth, Maryland USA built in 1706 appears to be older. The Bermuda Presbyterian congregation has been active and ongoing since they arrived in 1612. The only other existing continuous Presbyterian congregation, located in New York in the USA, dates back to 1662 some fifty years later. Our next Minister will be well and truly historically linked to the ‘New World’ past as we begin the Church restoration process towards the 300th Anniversary of Christ Church in April 2019. The Church properties are in relatively good condition, but, due to the climate, require constant maintenance. They consist of: 1. The Manse (which comprises lounge, dining room, study, family room, master bedroom with en-suite bathroom, double bedroom, single bedroom, kitchen and shower-room) and small out buildings in Paget Parish was built in 1862 on five acres of property with amazing views of Hamilton Harbour and a large garden, part of which is presently farmed in small allotments by Church Members and people from Warwick and Paget Parishes. The Manse is a Grade Three listed building; 2. The Church, built in 1719 in Warwick Parish; The Church is a Grade One listed building. 3. The Thorburn Hall, built next door, in 1890-93 and extended in 1979 to provide accommodation for a variety of functions, and including new classrooms and a full commercial kitchen; 4. The West Hall, adjacent to the Thorburn Hall; 5. The South Hall and Loads of Love laundry/storage building were built in 2005. Significant renovations took place to the complex of Halls in 2011 transforming them into more useable and attractive facilities, most of which earn excellent rents; and 6. The attractive graveyard area surrounds the Church as part of the two acre site. The main Thorburn Hall is used now on a quarterly basis for ‘musical shows’ to raise funds over the next four years for the Restoration Programme. We hope, with ongoing encouragement by the Minister, the Congregation will work as a unified force to get the work done by volunteering directly and supporting many of the 300th Anniversary Committee events and other activities planned during the next four years. 15 Above: The Manse Below: Spectacular view from the Manse front patio. 16 Above: Christ Church, Warwick from Middle Road; Right: Back of church coming from parking areas; Below-left: Storage facility & “Loads of Love” – showers and laundry; Below-right: Lower level of West Halls – Church office and 2 classrooms; 17 Above: West Hall, Kitchen facilities, Entrance to Thoburn Hall; Inside Thorburn Hall Below: Inside Christ Church, Warwick. 18 19 Christ Church, Warwick Basics of Bermuda 20 Overview Geography Bermuda (32° north, 64° west) is located 640 miles off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina or some 774 miles S.E. of New York. Bermuda was born as a result of tumultuous volcanic activity that took place millions of years ago. The island is perched on the summit of a submarine mountain that rises from the seabed far below. Beyond the reefs that protect the island from natural erosion, the ocean floor sinks to a depth of three miles. Bermuda is shaped like a large fish hook. The overall length is 21 miles from St. George in the east to Dockyard in the west. Bermuda comprises 9 parishes for a total area of 20 square miles. The warm Gulf Stream ocean current passing near Bermuda keeps the climate sub-tropical and promotes coral to grow at the highest latitude in the world. The Manse Christ Church, Warwick Bermuda’s History The island was first sighted by Juan de Bermudez in 1505. In 1609 Sir George Somers was on his way to Jamestown in Virginia when one of his fleet of ships was shipwrecked off Bermuda. Somers claimed the uninhabited islands for Britain and Bermuda celebrated its 400th anniversary in 2009. It is now the most populous remaining British Overseas Territory. 21 Population Bermuda has a residential population of 64,239 (2010 Census) yet with only 20.6 sq. miles it ranks as one of the world’s highest in population density. The population is fairly evenly distributed around the island, with 18% of the residents living in Pembroke Parish, which contains the City of Hamilton. The Bermuda population is 61% Black, with 39% classed as White and other. Multiculturalism The island’s demography is changing. Guest workers who are needed for international insurance, wealth management business, construction, domestic help, landscaping, health care, hotels and restaurants, etc. now come from all over the world. With 46% of the population claiming Bermudian ancestry, 11% have British ancestry, 13% are of West Indian descent and 7% reporting Portuguese heritage. Americans, Canadians and Filipinos also contribute to Bermuda’s multicultural environment. For further information, consult the Bermuda Census at http://unstats.un.org/unsd/demographic/sources/census/2010_phc/bermuda/Bermuda_new.pdf Government in Bermuda Outside of Britain, Bermuda’s House of Assembly is the oldest Westminster model in existence, dating back to 1620. Bermuda is officially a British overseas territory, but we enjoy a high degree of self-rule. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is head of state and appoints a Governor, currently Mr. George Fergusson, a member and elder of Christ Church, to represent her in Bermuda. Our Government consists of the Governor, a Premier, a Cabinet and a Parliament comprised of an appointed Senate and the elected House of Assembly. The Senate is comprised of 11 members appointed by His Excellency the Governor. Five members of Senate are appointed on the recommendation of the Premier and represent the governing party. Three members are appointed on the recommendation of the Leader of the Opposition and represent the official opposition party. The three remaining Senators are appointed as Independents. Bermuda is divided into 36 constituencies. Each constituency elects one member to the House of Assembly. Bermuda last held an election in 2012 in which approximately 80% of the population turned out to vote. The Honourable Michael Dunkley, MP JP is the Premier. 22 Economy International Business and Tourism are the main revenue generators for the Bermuda Government. Bermuda is the third largest reinsurance jurisdiction in the world after London and New York. Neither International Business nor Tourism can exist however without a significant supply of guest workers, who are primarily from the USA, the UK and Canada. Economic Position The Workplace Total Workforce Jobs held by - Bermudians, spouses, perm. residents - Expatriates Average Employment Income Unemployment 35,478 72% 28% $60,560 9% Poor 19% Near poor 11% Middle 46% Well-to-do 24% Cost of Living Bermuda’s cost of living is higher in relation to other countries. Bermuda’s Taxation System is consumer/goods based and most items attract an ad valorem duty on importation. The high cost of living is offset by there being no direct form of income tax. Telecommunications Telecommunications are sophisticated with high-speed Internet, e-mail, mobile phones, text messages etc. Overseas calls are relatively inexpensive, e.g. Bermuda to UK 9 cents per minute. Internet access is expensive, although deregulation is causing rates to decline slowly, e.g. an 8mb connection including pipeline and ISP is approximately $108 per month. Currency The currency is the Bermuda dollar which is pegged, at par, with the US dollar. Currently the exchange rate is about BM$1.53 to £1.00 sterling. Payroll Deductions Although there is no Income Tax, there is a payroll tax of up to 14.5% and mandatory health insurance cover, payment of which is shared between the employee and the employer. Christ Church pays the Minister’s share. Payroll tax for religious organisations is 5.5%. 23 Immigration Work Permits All non-Bermudians who intend to live and work in Bermuda must obtain a work permit from the Bermuda Department of Immigration. For our next Minister the process is expected to take twenty working days and the Session Clerk will be responsible for this. Documentation Requirements Your application for immigration permission will require you to obtain several documents. You and each member of your household over 12 years of age will be required to have a full size chest X-Ray taken if you are from or have resided for more than three months in a jurisdiction identified by the World Health Organization as high risk for tuberculosis. You will need a police certificate, a medical clearance certificate, employment and character references and copies of other important personal certificates such as marriage, birth, citizenship and personal qualifications for the position. Animals Before importing an animal, you will need a permit from the Department of Environmental Protection in Bermuda. Imported animals are subject to customs duty. One should also check the requirements of your country of departure and the airline used to travel to Bermuda. Customs Duty If you plan to bring household goods with you, they will be inspected by Customs. Personal clothing (used) and books are duty free and everything else is levied at 25% of the assessed value. There is also a wharfage duty of 1.11% of the total value. Customs duty on the Minister’s goods is paid by the church. Sponsored Dependants Sponsored dependants include the spouse (or partner) and children under the age of 18 (or 25 if the child is attending college/university) of a work permit holder, though the Department of Immigration may first require evidence of adequate remuneration to support the number of sponsored dependants. A sponsored dependant may seek employment when they are issued an entry/re-entry permit, but must go through a separate work permit process. Children over 18 (or 25 if attending college/university) are required to apply for permission in their own right to reside in Bermuda. 24 Living in Bermuda As you drive around Bermuda, you will notice a large number of churches, many of them adding considerable charm to the scenery. There are more than 115 of them. Most Christian faiths are represented here. The church congregations tend to be quite active in the community, giving strong voice and sphere of influence to Bermuda’s religious leaders. The Saturday news- paper lists dozens of church services one can attend. The majority of Bermudians are Christians but there is a shift taking place from the established old guard sects to the more charismatic evangelical churches. The number of people affiliated with the Anglican Church has dropped to 15.8% from 45% in 1970 and 23% in 2008, though it remains the largest denomination. This is followed by Roman Catholic at 14.5%, African Methodist Episcopal at 8.6% and Seventh Day Adventist at 6.7%. Other denominations and faiths in Bermuda include Methodist, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Baptist, Pentecostal, Christian Science, Church of God, Canadian Presbyterians, Baha’i, Muslim and many others. Schooling There is a public and a private system. The public system is free and the private system charges fees. Present school fees are between $10,500 to $20,000 Bermuda Dollars per year. Many middle-class Bermudians and guest workers send their children to private schools. Presently approximately 60% of Bermudian children attend public schools. Members of the Nominating Committee are available to answer specific questions about schooling in Bermuda for those applicants with younger children. Sports Athletic pursuits are an integral part of island life. Bermuda residents play a great deal of sports as there are more than 30 organized sports on the island. Sports also play a key role in Bermuda’s tourism industry. Nine spectacular golf courses (3 public and 6 private), natural sailing venues and excellent fishing are among Bermuda’s major tourist attractions. Bermuda recently won its bid to host the prestigious America’s Cup races to be held here in 2017. The sports pages of the newspaper reflect the cosmopolitan interest in world sports and Bermudians themselves often compete at an international standard that belies the island’s size and relative isolation. Cricket, football, running, biking, sailing and golf are among the most popular sports. Cricket and football have been declared Bermuda’s national sports. One of Bermuda’s best kept secrets is Rugby. For 25 years the World Rugby Classic has been held in 25 Bermuda. 12 teams from all over the world participate in this week-long event. The week is sponsored by over 30 local and non-local companies. April to September is advertised as our beach season. November to March is our golf season. The National Sports Centre is Bermuda’s premier sport, athletic and large scale outdoor entertainment complex. The complex features the National Track (a 400m 8 lane competitive track with a covered 2,000 seat grandstand), an additional 2,300 seat open-air grandstand, a grass field for cricket and 2 rugby and football fields, an additional 600m walking track, an artificial turf hockey pitch and multi purpose pavilion hall. The complex also includes the National Aquatics Facility featuring a 50m 8 lane swimming pool with a 10m dive tower and springboards (1m and 3m). Music, Dance and Drama Bermuda’s cultural scene builds to a peak in mid-winter with the Bermuda Festival. For six or seven weeks in January and February, residents and visitors can sample a fare of music, dance and drama by international talent. Other events are the International Film Festival, Bermuda Guitar Festival, Bermuda Music and Dramatic Society productions, Gilbert & Sullivan Society productions, Bermuda Chamber Choir productions to name a few. Health Care Bermuda has an excellent health care system which is a unique combination of socialized and private coverage. The Bermuda Hospitals Board operates both the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital and the Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute. They offer a full range of standard care services. When patients have severe or complicated medical conditions that can not be treated in Bermuda, their health insurance pays for transportation, lodging and treatment at an overseas medical centre. Some patients choose not to have hospital treatments that are available on the island. Those patients may choose to receive treatment abroad but their transportation and lodging will not be covered by their insurance carrier. Most patients seeking medical care outside of Bermuda go to the United States or Canada for treatment. Employees receive a schedule of benefits and explanations of coverage from the insurance carrier upon employment. This document should be reviewed to avoid any confusion. Allergies Ragweed is non-existent in Bermuda and pollens of other weeds used to quickly get blown out to sea. In the past three to five years that has changed and pollens have been a major cause of allergy outbreaks. Also, because of our high humidity, moulds and mildews may cause problems as well. 26 Smoking/Drugs On 1st April 2006 Bermuda banned smoking in public buildings. Bermuda also operates a zero tolerance policy on illegal drugs and marijuana. The use of marijuana for medical purposes is currently being debated by the Bermuda government. Firearms Firearms are tightly controlled and are not allowed for personal use or ownership in Bermuda. Crime Bermuda has a moderate crime rate. There was a time when crime was almost non-existent here but this is no longer the case. Examples of common crimes include theft of bags and items from rental motorbikes. More serious crimes are conspiracy, drug trafficking, and money laundering. Violent crime does exist (rarely) but mostly involves disputes between gangs of local youths. When in Bermuda, it is advisable to take the same precautions that you would use in any country. Electricity Service Same as in the USA and Canada. 110 volts, 60 cycle alternating current. Equipment from Europe and the UK may need adaptors. Power is produced by the Bermuda Electric Light Company Limited, with 98.2% from fossil fuel, while the Tynes Bay Waste Treatment Facility produces 1.8% of electric energy. Other renewable options are also being considered. Postal Services Airmail takes about a week to arrive from the USA, Canada, UK and Europe. International courier service is available. Gratuities Gratuities are usually between 15% and 18%, which in most restaurants are automatically added to your bill. Other services such as taxis expect the same tip. Check your bill to make sure you don’t add another tip on top of one which has already been added. 27 News Media Bermuda has one newspaper and a number of radio and TV stations. Cable and wireless TV services are also available. Bermuda Time Normally 4 hours behind the UK. Daylight Saving Time is operated on the same basis as in the USA. Transportation Bermuda has a fairly good bus and ferry system. The closest bus stop is a 2 minute walk from the Manse and there is a direct ferry to Hamilton about 5 minutes from the Manse. Private cars are limited to one per household, therefore only one car is provided to the Minister who will be required to pass a driving test to obtain a driver’s licence, as overseas licences are not valid in Bermuda. Taxis are plentiful should one be needed but are also expensive. There are approximately 22,000 licensed cars operating on Bermuda’s narrow roads, where the speed limit is 35 k.p.h. Motorcycles and mopeds are the secondary form of transport, when one does not wish to use public transportation. Entry into Bermuda There is one airport at the eastern end of the island (BDA) and three seaports in Hamilton, Ireland Island and St. George. Public Holidays New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Bermuda Day, National Heroes Day, Emancipation Day, Somers Day (2 day cricket match), Labour Day, Remembrance Day, Christmas Day and Boxing Day. 28 Searching Bermuda on the Internet Christ Church Bermuda Dept of Tourism www.christchurch.bm www.gotobermuda.com Christ Church information Official guide for tourists Bermuda Government www.gov.bm Departments and Services Bermuda National Trust www.bnt.bm Guide to Bermuda’s heritage and environment Bermuda Online www.bermuda-online.org Bermuda.com www.bermuda.com Island facts and information Island information Diving www.bermudadiving.com Bermuda events www.Nothingtodoinbermuda.com Diving and shipwreck information Upcoming events Royal Gazette www.royalgazette.com Daily newspaper Bernews www.bernews.com Web-based breaking news Bermuda Weather www.weather.bm Bermuda weather service Sharkoil www.sharkoil.bm Hurricane tracking eMoo www.e-moo.com Yellow Pages www.bermudayp.com Online marketplace for secondhand items Commercial listings Chamber of Commerce www.bermudachamber.bm General information Weather Report Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Temperature 63 F 63 64 67 72 77 81 80 79 81 72 67 Rainfall 5.30 in 5.10 3.20 2.48 3.60 2.37 5.46 6.12 2.05 7.22 2.82 2.66 Humidity 73% 73 71 74 79 80 81 80 72 73 72 70 Sea Temp 65 F 64 66 68 74 79 83 83 82 77 74 68 Source: www.bermuda-online.org/climateweather.htm Hurricane Season – June 1 to November 30 29 Final Thoughts Should you be successful in being appointed the Minister of Christ Church, Warwick, Bermuda, we hope it will lead to one of the happiest periods of your life. Not only will you be welcomed by our congregation but you will find that Bermudians, as a whole, are amongst the warmest and friendliest people you could wish to meet. We look forward to receiving your application. Rest assured that it will receive the utmost consideration as we seek the person who will become our 30th minister. For additional information, please contact either: Martha Kirkland, Clerk to the Nominating Committee E-mail: [email protected] or Rev Derek Lawson, Interim Moderator E-mail: [email protected] or look at our website www.christchurch.bm 30