Where mum joined baby scheme church introduced, with thanks (8)
I believe the answer is:
placenta
'where mum joined baby' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I can't understand how one could define the other.
'scheme church introduced with thanks' is the wordplay.
'scheme' becomes 'plan' (I've seen this before).
'church' becomes 'ce' (abbreviation for Church of England).
'introduced' is an insertion indicator.
'with' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'thanks' becomes 'ta' (UK informal version of 'thank you').
'plan' enclosing 'ce' is 'placen'.
'placen'+'ta'='PLACENTA'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for placenta that I've seen before include "Plate can appear in organ in womb during pregnancy" , "21 that feeds the embryo" , "baby food" , "Organ feeding a foetus" , "primary food supplier" .)