An Evening about Sri Lanka

‘Serendipity’ – the pearl of great price

Over 30 people gathered in the social area at St Paul’s on a Tuesday evening to listen to Penny Driver talking about her time spent in Sri Lanka.

As the Youth Officer in the Diocese of Ripon and Leeds she was asked by her Bishop to consider leading a small party of youngsters to Sri Lanka as part of the link between that Diocese and the Dioceses of Colombo and Kurunegala.  After a preliminary visit eight youngsters aged between 17 and 25 were chosen to spend 3 months on the island, living with local families and experiencing their way of life.  (Interestingly, two of those youngsters went on to become ordained.)

Dressed in a beautiful silk sari, Penny illustrated her talk with a series of slides, separated under the following headings: people, culture, religion, faith and issues.  Also on display were various artefacts she had acquired, including items made by a women’s co-operative and a wooden replica of the Sri Lankan cross.

Following a time for questions, five different curries were served and enjoyed.

The evening raised £226 which is being sent to the Church of Ceylon Orphanage.

(The word “serendipity” was coined by Horace Walpole in 1754 and is derived from “Sarandib,” an old Persian name for the island of Sri Lanka.)