Listening is of vital importance

By Rev. Errington Massiah | Fri, May 18, 2012 - 12:00 AM

I have set the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved. – Psalm 16:8

IT IS ONLY BECAUSE of God’s love, mercy, care and protection for me that I am able to write this week’s Outside The Pulpit.

Last Thursday there was an oil spill from Horse Hill, St Joseph, to Groves Corner, St George.

Around 6:30 a.m. as I was on my way to the Ministry of Education to collect papers for the CXC examination, my car did the “dog” around the Indian Pond Corner, St Joseph. At one point I thought I was going to be in paradise with my Lord and maker, for my car spun around and ended up in the opposite direction.

I was so afraid, but the goodness of God was shown to me once more. That experience showed me what the Psalmist spoke about.

“My mercy will I keep for him for evermore: and my covenant shall stand fast with him. His seed also will I make to endure forever and his throne as the days of heaven.” – Psalm 89:29-30.

Although it was a very frightening experience for all of us who used that road, I saw God still at work, for He has a way of warning us. But there is a lesson that can be learnt from that experience and it is that we must be prepared to listen to others regardless of who they are.

We must be concerned about the welfare of the public. We must put all ambition aside and put the interest of others first.

We must also pattern our lives on that of Jesus Christ who said, “I am among you as one who serves.”

Death

A Service of Praise and Thanksgiving for the life of Olga Eileen St Clair – aged 83, late of No, 1 Thorne’s Development, St Michael – took place last Saturday, May 12, 2012, at St Mary’s Church, Bridgetown.

St Clair was a former member of St Augustine’s Church in Brooklyn, New York. After returning to Barbados, she joined St Mary’s Church where she was a faithful member, good Anglican and a good Christian.

She was a very caring and generous person. She lived for others.

She was the wife of the late Lionel St Clair and mother of the late Michael St Clair.

This column expresses its deepest sympathy to her daughter-in-law Hazel St Clair and her three grandchildren. May she rest in Jesus Christ and rise in Glory.

Fair

St Matthew’s Church and Church of the Resurrection will be holding its annual fair tomorrow on the grounds of the St Matthew’s Primary School from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. The public is invited.

Synod

The Annual Diocesan Synod of the Anglican Church will take place from Sunday, May 20, to Tuesday, May 22. It starts on Sunday at 5 p.m. with Sung Eucharist where Anglican Bishop Dr John Holder will be delivering his charge.

Ecumenical Service

Come walk with me – a service of prayer and worship for the sick and healing in the Providence community in Christ Church tomorrow at the Providence Methodist Church. Clergy who grew up in the area – Archdeacon Eric Lynch, Canon Geoffrey Mayers and Rev. Pearson Blackman – will be taking part in this service.

Enthronement

The Right Rev. Dr Howard Kingsley Gregory, 61, was enthroned yesterday as the 14th Bishop of the Diocese of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands.

The enthronement took place in the Cathedral of St Jago de la Vega, Spanish Town, Jamaica. Bishop Gregory succeeds the Right Rev. Dr Alfred Reid who retired on December 31, 2011, after serving as Bishop of Jamaica for 11 years.

This column wishes Bishop Gregory well in his new ministry.

Course

The Moravian Church will be hosting an Evangelism Explosion (EE) refresher course for teachers/trainers from tomorrow until May 26 and on June 2 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Calvary Moravian Church, Roebuck Street, The City. The facilitator is Fitz Burrows. For more information please contact Reverend Andrew Roberts at 423-2529 or 240-1887.

Outdoor service

The Moravian Churches of Clifton Hill, Centenary and Fulnec will be coming together for an “outdoor service” and fellowship day on Sunday at 10 a.m. at Farley Hill Recreational Park, St Peter. The host pastors are Reverend Vera Waithe and Reverend Andrew Roberts. Come let us have a swell time in the Lord.