Hats ahoy!

Spring may not have been evident yet in the weather or in the flowers outside, but inside the packed Melville Methodist Church it looked like a bright, cheerful flower field. Colourful and creative hats adorned every head at the church’s Spring Hat Tea on 30 August.

Delicious snacks and flowers decorated every table.

This cake-filled fundraiser saw three sister churches – Melville, Newville and Bosmont congregations – coming together to snack on delicious treats and to raise money. It was the church’s first time hosting this event, and new Reverend Emmanuel Gabriel says it won’t be the last.

Gabriel and his wife Dr Stella Potgieter are passionate about Melville Methodist Church and their community.

“Melville came into being in about 1896,” Gabriel told the behatted attendees.

“This church was built in 1906. We welcome you to this historic building.”

Sister-church Newville has existed for 90 years, another impressive stretch, and Bosmont’s Methodist’s church’s 45 year existence is close to the half-decade mark.

Guest speaker Mrs South Africa 2014 finalist Lorna Greyling spoke about overcoming failure, and told her gripping story, followed by prize-givings and a raffle draw that ensured that almost everyone there won a sponsored prize.

Marge James’ spectacular panda hat took the prize for funniest hat; Poppie Bouwer’s voortrekker-cap scooped up the most creative hat award and seven-year old Tamika Moyce’s butterfly- and flower-adorned hat won ‘prettiest hat award.’

Then the attendees took to the floor and displayed spectacular rythm and dance moves as they grooved to Celeste Nel and Sydney Rosenburg’s music.

“The tables look beautiful, and you all look beautiful,” the reverend said.

“We are all meant to shine, and as we let our light shine, we liberate other people.”