Comfort every sufferer,Watching late in painThose who plan some evilFrom their sin restrain
Through the long night watchesMay Thine Angels spreadTheir white wings above meWatching round my bed.
(Hymn 346 A&M vs 5 – 6)
When I heard in the news recently that a young man was shot and robbed of his jewellery in The Ivy, St Michael while returning to pay a bill, all I could ask myself was what is my beautiful country, Barbados, coming to? Is it that we are living in the Wild West or is it a case of the senility of those who rob others?
Is this what the Prophet Hosea spoke about: “Aliens devour his strength and he knows it not, grey hairs are sprinkled upon him and he knows it not.” Hosea 7:9.
As a result of that brutal incident in The Ivy, the victim, a young man at aged 37, is now paralysed and may never work again.
We need to stop and think about our actions for what we do now can surely affect us in this life.
Please remember the Golden Rule “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”. To all those who were responsible for that wicked and dangerous act – as you would have time by now to reflect on it now – how do you feel knowing that you have affected the livelihood of other persons in the particular family?
In the words of St Paul to the Galatians: “And let us not grow weary in well doing, for in due season we shall reap, if we do not lose heart. So then as we have opportunity, let us do good to all men, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” Galatians 6: 9-10.
Harvest
The Fulnec Moravian Church, Watts Village, St George invites you to their annual Harvest Thanksgiving Festival on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. The host Pastor is the Rev Andrew Roberts. Come and let us give thanks together.
Retreat
The Christian Formation Commission of the Anglican Church has organised a Lenten Day Retreat for Saturday, February 16 at Codrington College.
This year’s Theme for reflection is Fast of the Past, in the Present and in the Future for Spiritual and Physical Wellness. Canon Henderson Guy is the spiritual director of this retreat which is for clergy and laity. Please share this information with others; especially those who are in charge of congregations within the Diocese. Participants can register at the Diocesan Office.
Appointment
The Rev Father Kari Marcelle has been appointed as priest-in-charge of the Parish of the Holy Trinity, Georgetown, St Vincent with St John, Holy Name, St Peter and St Luke with effect from February 1. The Service of Institution is scheduled for April 25, which is the Feast of St Mark the Evangelist, at the Holy Trinity church. Your prayers are requested.
Expo
The Barbados Christian Writers Expo will take place on tomorrow at 5:30 p.m. at the Nazarene Church, Collymore Rock, St Michael.
The guest speaker will be Bishop Jerry Seale.
Veteran priest dies
Barbados born Rev. Canon James Ansell Hugh Ramsay died on December 29, 2012. The Service of Thanksgiving for his life was held at the Church of the Transfiguration in Kingston on January 12, 2013. The Lord Bishop of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, the Right Reverend and Dr the Right Reverend Howard Gregory presided over the requiem mass.
Canon Ramsay at the time of his death headed the list of seniority of service in the Jamaica diocese. His ordination and date of appointment was April 26, 1953.
The priest was the son of a former parliamentarian in Barbados, the late J T C Ramsay and his wife Viola.
A memorial service will be held in the St Barnabas Chapel at Codrington College on Thursday, February 14, at 3:30 p.m. in thanksgiving for his life and ministry. May he rest in peace.
Bishops in Cayman
The Lord Bishop in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands will lead a delegation which includes the Suffragan Bishops of Kingston and Montego Bay to Grand Cayman from February 04, 2013 to the Annual Incorporation Council Session.
The Incorporation Council meets every February to deal with matters concerning the relationship between church and country.
Memorial service
A memorial service for the late Julia Antoinette Atherley who died in England on New Year’s Day at the age of 64 will be held tomorrow at 2 p.m. at the Cathedral of St Michael and All Angels. She was the sister of Dr Christopher Atherley, retired Police Band director of music.
Organist
The Church of St Augustine has a new organist in the person of Peter Blackett, who assumes duty today. Prior to this appointment, Blackett ministered at the Church of St Stephen for a brief period.
