ministering to their flocks? Traditionally, men and women of the cloth are perceived as pious beings who devote their entire lives to the work of God with neither time nor thought for anything else. But as one clergyman pointed out, "We're human beings too. We have other interests.'' Today, we continue our series about the clergy and their hobbies, in which we go behind the collars and learn about their favourite pasttimes.

As a hobbyist, Rev. Ray Hagerman is a man of many parts: beekeeper, woodworker, needlepointer, musician and home gardener.

Since arriving in Bermuda 12 years ago the tall, bespectacled Canadian minister of Wesley Methodist Church has led a busy life, both professionally and otherwise.

Apart from his traditional ministerial duties, Rev. Hagerman has been active in launching Fairhavens, a drug rehabilitation centre for young women, and also served as president of the Bermuda Ministerial Association.

Over the years, as the pressures of his ministerial work grew, the clergyman has turned more and more to hobbies as a form of relaxation.

The cellar of his parsonage is a workshop crammed with woodworking tools and redolent with the smell of cedar shavings.

His back garden sports beehives and, in season, rows of healthy vegetables, and near his favourite chair one is apt to find a piece of needlepoint.

"Things go on for years sometimes before they are finished,'' he admits.

"I have to keep my hands busy, and I would much rather do woodwork or needlepoint than watch TV. Life is short, and I like to learn something new all the time.'' Which explains the great strides he has made in woodwork since he came here, and why, just two years ago, he also took up bee-keeping.

Before arriving in Bermuda, Rev. Hagerman's woodworking skills had largely centred around building toy boxes for his children and increasing closet space at various parsonages, but he had never built furniture or done any carving.

Enrolment in a woodworking course led by master craftsman Mr. Chesley Trott was a new adventure much enjoyed, but it wasn't until he took another evening course with teacher Mr. Dave Waltham that he entered the world of furniture making.

The eager student learned quickly, and his first efforts -- a Duncan Phyffe table and grandfather clock -- stand proudly in his home.

"I wanted to try projects from which I could learn something because when I retire I am hoping this is going to be a good hobby for me,'' the clergyman explained.

Apart from taking courses locally, Rev. Hagerman also took a course in Canada which incorporated lathe work.

Today, not only is his Bermuda home filled with impressive evidence of his burgeoning talents, but the devoted family man has also crafted gifts for his wife, each of his four sons, and his granddaughter.

"I made a Boston rocker in cedar for each of my older boys as wedding gifts, and carved individual designs in the backs,'' he said.

Each design reflected personal elements of their lives as well as the wedding dates.

In fact, carving has become such a fascination for this Methodist minister that, like the humans it is his mission to heal, he finds good where others fail to see it.

The free design of a sitting woman carved in Bermuda cedar is a typical example.

"This was done from a stump with a big hole in it,'' Rev. Hagerman said proudly. "The instructor advised me to throw it on the fire, but I carved the woman and filled in the holes with other pieces of cedar to show that, just as you can redeem people, so too you can make a rough piece of wood into something beautiful.'' Each of his sons has also received a carving reflecting their individual interests: a G clef, a botanical theme, a weightlifter, and a bust of his youngest -- the latter being created from a 200-year-old rafter foot.

For his wife Eloise, there was an intricate jewellery box complete with a Bermuda longtail carved in the top, and miniature, velvet-lined drawers.

And for his granddaughter there was a cedar high chair.

But perhaps the piece of which he is proudest is the Bermuda cedar book stand which he recently donated to Wesley Church in memory of his and his wife's parents. It was truly a labour of love and Rev. Hagerman waited years before he felt ready to tackle such an ambitious project.

"I had to make sure that if I was going to do something in honour of my parents it was the very best that I could do, even though they wouldn't know where the flaws were,'' he said.

And he also wanted to incorporate elements of symbolism into the piece. "For me as a person it was important that the pieces of cedar I used came from scraps belonging to members of the congregation. The wood didn't have to have any value, but to me when you put them all together you are then able to create a little bit from each person, which is beautiful.'' Drawing inspiration from Wesley's cedar pulpit, which was designed and made by church member and master craftsman Mr. A.C. Acton with the assistance of Mr.

Joseph Glasford, Rev. Hagerman likewise included carved panels featuring a raised design of the Bermuda Easter lily.

The handsome piece now stands in the Church narthex -- a permanent reminder of one parson's hobby, and his love for his parents, Bermuda and his congregation.

Furniture restoration is another aspect of Rev. Hagerman's handiwork, and he points with pride to an eye-catching antique desk, which he not only had to rebuild but also carve claw feet for.

"Now we have a beautiful piece of furniture which is more meaningful because there is some personal labour in it,'' he comments.

And just why does Rev. Hagerman enjoy this hobby so much? "It is an escape -- a process whereby you can take something rough and make it into something beautiful. That fits in very much with the ministry,'' he replied.

There is also the looming spectre of retirement.

"I am at a point now where woodwork has been a hobby, but when I retire in six to eight years' time I could set up a little business if I wanted to.'' About seven years ago Rev. Rev. Hagerman took up needlepoint while attending a course in New York and watching a lady working a canvas while the meetings proceeded. It occurred to him that this was an interesting way to pass time, particularly on long flights which he dislikes.

Music is another hobby which he actively pursues. His instrument is the saxophone, which he has been playing since his schooldays.

"I played in the school band and was also a member of a dance band at that time,'' he recalled.

Following a 13-year break, during which he pursued his theological studies, Rev. Hagerman was encouraged to join a marching community band in St. John, New Brunswick -- along with his four sons, who are also musicians.

When he came to Bermuda, he founded the Wesley Church orchestra, in which he continues to play the saxophone. And when the orchestra plays during morning worship, the pastor can be seen flitting between the pulpit and the conductor's baton as he fulfils two roles.

Two years ago Rev. Hagerman got into beekeeping by default when a parishioner was no longer able to look after his hives, and it is another hobby which the clergyman intends to pursue upon his return to Canada in November.

Apart from learning how to care for them, he has developed a particular fondness for honey butter, which he makes by whipping crystallised Bermuda honey.

And when the weather's right, Rev. Hagerman also finds time to raise fresh produce in the parsonage garden for the family table.

"I have always been a person who loved to do a lot of different things -- and the ability to do different things. I am not a perfectionist, but I enjoy trying,'' said the dedicated hobbyist.

TURNING IT ON -- Rev. Ray Hagerman turns an intricate cedar table leg on the lathe in his basement workshop. In pursuing his hobby, the clergyman has made many fine pieces of furniture for his home.

JOY OF CREATION -- Rev. Hagerman takes great pleasure in creating a beautiful sculpture from an old tree trunk.