The House of Bishops and the Provincial Standing Committee met this week in the Diocese of the Windward Islands. The deliberations at the Diocesan Pastoral Centre, Montrose, Kingstown, St. Vincent, took place from Tuesday, November 18 to Thursday, November 20. The wide-ranging discussions covered Ecumenical affairs, Reports from Provincial Commissions, Synod- related issues, Resolutions and various matters of topical importance brought by the Archbishop of the West Indies for consideration in the forum.

The House of Bishops and Standing Committee of the Church in the Province of the West Indies (CPWI) appointed a Design Group to devise strategies and a theme for the next Provincial Synod, to be held in Barbados in November 2015. Reports were received from Codrington College (the Barbados-based Anglican theological training institution), the Provincial Commission on Mission, and the Provincial Commission on Liturgy and Church Music. A submission was also received from the Diocese of Belize recommending the translation of the CPWI Book of Common Prayer into Spanish.

The Meetings were chaired by The Most Rev. and Dr. the Hon. John Walder Dunlop Holder, Bishop of Barbados and Archbishop of the West Indies. Attending from Jamaica were: Rt. Revs. Howard Gregory, Robert Thompson, Leon Golding and Alfred Reid and Lay Representative, Claudette Marshall.

CPWI House of Bishops Meeting in St. Vincent

CELEBRATING 350 YEARS OF ANGLICAN MINISTRY IN JAMAICA

On July 24, 1664, just over 350 years ago, the first recorded baptism by an Anglican Minister took place in Jamaica. This historic event is documented in the Baptismal Register of the St. Andrew Parish Church, now in the Jamaica Archives. It is not known where this event took place for the land on which…

DEVOTIONAL ADDRESS DELIVERED AT CHURCH TEACHERS’COLLEGE

Wednesday, November 12, 2014 by The Very Rev. Fr. Peter D. Clarke, OStJ, JP Rector, Black River Cure and Rural Dean of St. Elizabeth THEME: SEIZE THE MOMENT GOSPEL READING: MARK 4: 29-34 It is certainly a pleasure and a privilege to be here again on this beautiful campus. I feel a sense of pride and hope for our nation…

Advent Booklet by St. Jude’s Writers

The St. Jude’s Writers have published their first ever booklet of Advent devotions. This is also the first Advent publication in the Diocese. Titled “Our Hope and Expectation,” the booklet contains daily reflections for Advent and Christmas 2014. Booklets are being sold for J$300; each and orders may be placed by calling the St. Jude’s…

St. Clement’s Mission, Kencot – 100 years old

St. Clement’s Mission in Kencot, St. Andrew will mark a major milestone with the celebration of its 100th Anniversary and annual Patronal Festival at a special Service on Sunday, November 23, starting at 10.30 a.m. Celebrant at the Service, which will be a memorable occasion, both for members and the wider community, will be The…

Associate Evangelists Commissioned in Historic Service

Eleven persons from eight churches in the Kingston and Mandeville Regions were commissioned and licensed as Associate Evangelists of the Church Army at a Service held on Sunday, November 16 at the Cathedral of St. Jago de la Vega, Spanish Town. This historic Service was well attended by families and well-wishers, especially from the home…

Legislation on Women Bishops Becomes Law at Church of England Synod

The General Synod of the Church of England today (November 17) enacted the measure enabling women to be ordained as Bishops. The formal enactment of the legislation – Amending Canon 33 – followed the vote by the Synod in July this year approving the ordination of women Bishops. Since that time, the legislation has been approved…

Associate Evangelists for Church Army

Eleven members from eight churches in the Kingston and Mandeville Regions will be commissioned and licensed as Associate Evangelists of the Church Army at a Service to be held on Sunday, November 16 at the Cathedral of St. Jago de la Vega, Spanish Town, starting at 3.30 p.m. Head of the Church Army, Sister…

Cathedral Sunday – A Celebration in Worship and The Arts

Cathedral Sunday 2014 will be a celebration in worship and the arts as the Diocese commemorates 350 years of the Cathedral of St. Jago de la Vega, Spanish Town as a site of Anglican worship; and the 190th Anniversary of the establishment of the Diocese of Jamaica (1824 – 2014). Chairman of the Planning Committee,…

Honorary Doctorate for Mike Fennell

The Hon Michael Fennell, Chairman of the Diocesan Financial Board, was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Laws (LLD) by the University of the West Indies (UWI) at the Graduation Ceremony held at the Mona Campus on Friday, October 31. Mr. Fennell also delivered the address to members of the Graduation Class who were present at this,…

New Issue of The Anglican Out

The September issue of The Anglican is now out and you are urged to collect your copy at your Church. In this issue you can read about: – The Hon Mrs. Justice Zaila McCalla, O.J., the new Chancellor of the Diocese -The pioneering women ministers in the Diocese – reflections on their journeys -The proceedings of…

Bishop Ellinah Challenges the Church

“The Church should be run on corporate principles, not just a free for all and there should be accountability”, declared the Rt. Rev. Ellinah Wamukoya, Bishop of Swaziland, to an appreciative audience at the recent Banquet to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Ordination of Women in the Diocese of Jamaica & The Cayman Islands.…