herald of hope april 2015
DESCRIPTION
A newsletter of the Hope United Church 221 Old Hope Road, Kingston 6, JAMAICATRANSCRIPT
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Herald
of Hope A NEWSLETTER OF THE HOPE UNITED CHURCH
April 2015
MISSION STATEMENTMISSION STATEMENTMISSION STATEMENTMISSION STATEMENT OF OF OF OF THE THE THE THE HOPE UNITED CHURCHHOPE UNITED CHURCHHOPE UNITED CHURCHHOPE UNITED CHURCH
As our Loving God, the Head of the Church requires,As our Loving God, the Head of the Church requires,As our Loving God, the Head of the Church requires,As our Loving God, the Head of the Church requires,
We the people of Hope United Church, guided by the We the people of Hope United Church, guided by the We the people of Hope United Church, guided by the We the people of Hope United Church, guided by the
Holy Spirit willHoly Spirit willHoly Spirit willHoly Spirit will::::
Worship him and Worship him and Worship him and Worship him and fellowship together;fellowship together;fellowship together;fellowship together;
Teach and learn more about himTeach and learn more about himTeach and learn more about himTeach and learn more about him;;;;
Love and care for ourselves and others;Love and care for ourselves and others;Love and care for ourselves and others;Love and care for ourselves and others;
Help all to know Christ as their personal Saviour and Help all to know Christ as their personal Saviour and Help all to know Christ as their personal Saviour and Help all to know Christ as their personal Saviour and
LordLordLordLord....
Contact Us
Hope United Church, 221 Old Hope Road, Kingston 6,
Phone 927-2909; Fax 977-6134; Email
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hope-United-Church/221604841239329?fref=ts
Minister: Rev. Dr. Margaret Fowler
Church Secretary: Mrs Patricia Matheson
Worship Services: Sunday 7:00 am and 8:30 am;
Bible Study : Tuesday 12:30 pm and Wednesday 6:00 pm
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CONTENTS
Message from the Minister 3
Why we need to understand Easter 4
Bible Study: A Reflection of the Cross 6
Interview with Rev. Ashley Smith 8
Ministry Groups - Highlights 13
Auxiliary groups – Highlights 17
Quiz Know your Church 18
SYNOD 19
Ministers / Pastors of the Church 20
Zones at Hope United Church 21
Reading Circle 2013-2015 22
The Story of Hope 24
Answers to Quiz 26
The Editorial Team Editor: Fay Durrant, Members: Timothy
Cawley, Claudia Chambers, Gillian Glean-Walker, Sonia Lynch,
Advisors: Beryl Chevannes and Evelyn Birch
Cover: Cross and Easter LilyCover: Cross and Easter LilyCover: Cross and Easter LilyCover: Cross and Easter Lily
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Message from the Minister
Dear Friends,
Welcome to this ‘New’ version of the
Herald of Hope which is being
published as we celebrate fifty-five
(55) years of ministry at Hope United
Church.
As we reflect on our past ministry we
must also look towards the future,
times are changing and as a church we
must try to meet the needs of a
modern Jamaica. I must take this
opportunity to pay tribute to former
Ministers, Elders and leaders of the
congregation for their vision of what
Hope United should be. Their
commitment to the task of developing
Zones, Ministry Groups work with
Children and Youth and the many
pioneering activities the church has
undertaken during the past fifty five
(55) years.
This is truly a time of celebration as we
also congratulate Mona Preparatory
School on fifty (50) years of excellence
in the field of education. So what of
the next fifty plus (50+) years for Hope
United? Well the hymn writer reminds
us that we must “look forward in
faith” and I would encourage all of us
to rejoice in a wonderful listing of
commitment and service of leadership
and compassion of solidarity in issues
of social justice, it has been done in
the past, it can be done again. Let us
put hearts and our hands together as
we continue to build on this
wonderful legacy that we have been
gifted – the Ministry of our own Hope
United Church.
I thank the editorial team for a job well
done, to Elders, Auxiliaries, Office
Staff, children and young people,
choir, Musical Director, musicians,
members and friends my thanks for
your support and prayers and may we
all give thanks to God for bringing us
thus far.
Yours in Christ,
Margaret Fowler (Rev. Dr.)
Minister
4
Why we need to understand
Easter. by Rev. Dr Margaret Fowler
How many times have you read the
Easter story – once, twice, hundreds
or may be never. Easter is not only the
high point in our Christian calendar
but our faith hinges on our
interpretation of the events of Easter
Sunday or the Resurrection story and
the Apostle Paul, deals with the
Resurrection of Jesus because there
were those who did believe in the
resurrection of the dead.
Paul begins his discourse on the
resurrection of Jesus by stating that
salvation is not possible without Jesus’
resurrection.
So we can begin to see clearly that this
is an important aspect of our faith
many scholars believe that the
Disciples did not understand the
prophecy of the resurrection and
really were ‘taken by surprise’. As we
celebrate Easter we need to ask
ourselves ‘are we taken by surprise’
that God should send His Son to
Calvary, suffer and die on the cross
and rise triumphantly on Easter
Sunday. Do we feel that sense of
surprise or has it become all too
familiar to us? There are indeed many
aspects to the Easter story which
speaks to us in so many ways. The
woman rushing to come back from the
tomb eager to tell the Disciples the
news “He is Risen, He is not there,” or
the disbelief of the Disciples, they
want evidence “Show me” or that
wonderful walk to Emus and the joy
the Disciples experienced when they
realized what was happening “were
our hearts burning within us while He
talked with us and opened the
scriptures to us.”
I believe it is important on our faith
journey to try to approach the Easter
/ Resurrection story in a fresh way
every year. It is not a jaded story it’s
the hinges that holds our faith
together. Many world religions have
had dynamic leadership but only one
has returned as He promised.
Yes we can look at the Easter story in
so many ways you can try to
theologize it into nothing more than a
story. You can try to analyze it
scientifically or you can simply believe
it – that after 2000 plus years Jesus of
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Nazareth can enable us not only to
feel but experience a newness of life
not only on Easter Sunday but every
day.
It’s through His death and
Resurrection that we know for sure
that He loves us, it’s because of the
Easter events that we have Hope not
only for today but for tomorrow and
forever. Easter brightens our outlook
– firms up our faith. Sets us on the
road again cancels old scores, creates
new opportunities and I could list so
many things. He lives, He lives Christ
Jesus lives today – Hallelujah He is
Risen. Jesus Christ is Risen today.
So why do we need to understand
Easter - because of who we are,
because of whom we belong to -
because of the promises made – we
are His we belong to Him. At the heart
of the Easter story is Jesus Himself. A
promise made to His people, a story
that is the same yesterday, today and
tomorrow but yet remains new every
morning! Easter matters.
May your life be touched this Easter
by the newness of the Easter story.
Every blessing!
Rev.
6
Bible Study: A Reflection of the
Cross.
by Kent Cameron, Student Minister
In some ways, we have become too
accustomed to the cross. We see
crosses every day of our lives. Many
churches have them atop their
steeples. Now, there is nothing
wrong with seeing or using the cross;
but like any other symbol, it can lose
its power in our lives if we become
too familiar with it. In other words,
we can become desensitized to the
cross.
Think about this: For many, the cross
is nothing more than a piece of
jewellery that is used to adorn the ear
or the neck. For some, the cross is an
icon designed for worship; they kneel
before the cross and pray to it. Some
see the cross as an amulet that
contains supernatural power; they
hang it over their bed or carry it
around to ward off evil.
The cross is offensive to some
people. In 1 Cor. 1:23, Paul calls it a
“stumbling block”. This word comes
from the Greek word “skandalon”
which meant a trap or a snare. It
came to mean something that trips a
person up and causes them to fall.
We get the English word “scandal”
from this word. To the Jews, the cross
was a scandal! They could not
conceive of the Messiah being nailed
to a cross! They literally stumbled
over the cross!
The cross is foolishness to some
people. In 1 Cor. 1:23, Paul tells us
that the Greeks considered the cross
to be “foolishness”. This word comes
from the Greek word “moria”, which
gives us the English word “moron”.
The sophisticated Greeks looked at a
Savior dying on a cross and they
declared it to be “moronic
foolishness”.
But, for a few, the cross is an
object of power and wisdom. In 1
Cor. 1:24, Paul says that those who
have grasped the true message of the
cross understand that it is not weak or
foolish. It is instead, the power of God
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Today, I invite us to declare the
message of the cross. It is not a weak
message; it is not a foolish message. It
is a message filled with the awesome
power and wisdom of Almighty God.
Let the message of the cross speak to
your heart today. If you are saved,
rejoice in what God accomplished at
the cross. If you are not saved, you
really need to hear this message
today. The next time when you see
the cross, it is a symbol of God’s
hatred for sin and God’s love for His
people. “God has commended his love
towards us while we yet sinners Christ
died for us.” Roman. 5:8.
The cross of Jesus was about far more
than death, suffering and blood. The
cross of Jesus was a place of
testimony. It was here that God made
His greatest declaration of love for lost
humanity, 1 John 4:9-10. Christ’s
greatest work was accomplished at
the cross. When He raised Lazarus
from the dead, He helped one man
and his family. When He healed the
lepers; delivered the demoniacs;
opened the blind eyes and healed
diseased, twisted bodies; He was
helping one person and one family at
a time. When He fed the 5,000
thousand, He helped 5,000 men plus
women and children. But, when He
died on the cross, Jesus was making a
difference for every member of
Adam’s family who would look to Him
by faith. It wasn’t just one man; but it
was “whosoever will”, Rom. 10:13;
Rev. 22:17. He could have saved
Himself, v. 31, but He stayed on the
cross to save sinners!
Now, what is the cross of Jesus to you?
It is merely a piece of jewellery? Is it
just a religious symbol? Is it a talisman
you hang over your bed to keep the
devil away? Is it pure foolishness? Or,
is the cross the “power of God unto
salvation”? If you will heed the
message of the cross, you will find that
salvation is still available. You will find
that God can still save souls; change
eternal destinies and transform
sinners into saints of God. Today
would be a good day for you to heed
The Message Cross. The “cross” is our
symbol of Hope.
8
An Interview with Rev. Ashley
Smith: 60 Years of Ministry! by Claudia Chambers
Rev. Ashley Smith, speaking at Valedictory Service (UTCWI), University Chapel, Mona. 1986.
He greets you with a smile and words
of welcome, as he checks to see
whether you are on time, based on
the date and time in his diary. Before
discussing the interview topic, he
contemplates aloud on a section
about “Rastafarianism” in the
Dictionary of Christian Spirituality
which he had just been reading.
Although he had read the book
before, he was obviously sufficiently
moved by some of the inclusions and
exclusions he noticed this time, to
wonder how comprehensive and
authentic this “authoritative” work
really was. But such certitude would
undoubtedly be expected,
understood and appreciated when
one realizes that on 17th May 2015,
Rev. Ashley Smith will celebrate the
60th anniversary of his 1955-
ordination! He smiles broadly, even
seeming a little astonished at the fact
of this remarkable milestone; then
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prepares himself for my questions and
his answers.
Q: Rev – tell me a little about
yourself … enough to “introduce”
you…
A: Well, I am a retired minister of
the United Church in Jamaica
and the Cayman Islands. I’ve
worked as a Pastor with the
United Church; as Lecturer at
the United Theological College
of the West Indies (UTC); as
President of the UTC, and
Moderator of the United
Church (see expanded list).
Since being ordained, I’ve gone
abroad on study leave: doing
Bachelor’s and Master’s of
Divinity degrees in
Pennsylvania at the Lancaster
Theological Seminary (1960-62;
and in 1968); then a Master’s
degree in Theology (Theology
and Personality) at Princeton
University.
Reviews on his accomplishments also
extend to being recognized for his
service to Jamaica. He was awarded
the Commander of Distinction (CD) in
2002, and conferred with the Order of
Jamaica, in 2013 for his contributions
to Education and Theological
1 Also ref. “An Afternoon with Rev. Ashley Smith” retrieved from:
development. He has written three
small volumes (including1 “Real Roots
and Potted Plants (1984)” which
speaks to the importance of
missionary churches becoming
indigenised and the book
“Pentecostalism in Jamaica: A
Challenge to Mainline Churches
(1992)”. He has also presented several
scholarly papers on Religion and social
and political development in the
Caribbean.
Q: What about family?
A: I married Winifred Crooks
(whom we all know as Winnie)
in February 1963, and we have
3 children: Faith, who (teaches
at Brandeis University,
Massachusetts), Grace, (who
teaches Mathematics
privately), and Bert (Maritime
Law at the Ministry of
Transport). I also have 2
http://www.utcwi.edu.jm/sites/all/themes/utcwi/pdf/intviewasmith.pdf
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grandchildren: Hannah, (12
years) and Johnathon, (10
years), by our son Bert and
daughter-in-law Sharon, who
practices commercial law.
Q: How would you describe the
linkages between “work”, and
“church”, based on what you’ve
done? Where and how did it
begin? What has kept it going?
A: (Unhesitatingly) It was from my
father. He was an ardent
member of the Baptist Church,
and instilled in me: (a) an
appreciation of the teachings of
the Church; and (b) the need to
serve the community to which
one belongs.
I myself have also been
convinced though, by the
appreciation shown for my
service by the people I served.
This was especially when I was
working at St. John’s Church in
what people sometimes call the
inner-city. There, I learned to
appreciate from them, what
they showed as their
commitment to the work of the
Church and their appreciation
of my leadership.
He told a short story he said he never
forgets: once he was on his way to the
airport, about to travel outside of
Jamaica. Some ladies from St. John’s
stopped him after the service to give
him some US dollars which they had
collected amongst themselves “just to
make sure he was not out-of-pocket”.
Q: Say a little about your specific
work and relationship with Hope
United Church?
A: Well, I was the first Jamaican to
be inducted there, serving from
January 1974 until August 1981.
When I went there, there were
very few of the persons who did
not readily welcome Jamaica
pastors, still worshipping there.
The first Caribbean pastor at
Hope was Rev. Dale Bisnauth of
Guyana, and I was succeeded
there by Rev. Michael Miller,
who arrived when I left to go
and teach at the UTCWI.
One of the major changes
taking place during my time
there was the incorporation
into Hope United, of people
who lived in the surrounding
communities e.g. August Town,
Bryce Hill, Hermitage, Hope
Tavern, Kintyre and others.
Before then, some only had a
Sunday school. Unfortunately,
when the teachers went on
holiday, there was no Sunday
school! So, I insisted the
children start coming to Hope
United Church for Sunday
School, and all other activities
of the congregation.
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Q: What would you describe as the
most important and/or
treasured achievement(s)? Not
necessarily involving you, but
that you have seen taking place.
A: That would be the
“Jamaicanisation” of the
consciousness of the people in
the church. Therefore, it is no
longer that the church is
someone else’s mission, but
instead, a part of the people of
God with their own mission and
culturally unique ways of doing
God’s work.
Q: What about regrets? Do you
have any?
A: I don’t think there are any,
really. I have focused though on
the fact that, in us, there are
gifts of God that we don’t yet
understand. This may be about
helping to introduce us to the
contextuality of theology. For
example, my leg was
amputated in 2013, and since
October 2010 I’ve had 4
operations. But the fact of that
(what has happened with my
health) is now part of my
present story. I’m reading a lot
more. And I also write a lot.
Both of which I might not have
been doing if I was moving
around more as I did before the
beginning of my impairment.
In addition, I also focus now on
the extent to which I am a
beneficiary of the Ministry of
laypersons … a receiver of care,
including that from members of
my immediate family, persons
in my neighbourhood and
laypersons of the Hope United
Church, who have all been
marvelous! That presence and
caring have made a difference.
For example:
− I had to do an MRI (a medical
test), which was quite scary,
since they put you inside
that dark tunnel... I kept my
eyes open out of fear, but it
was so good to see familiar
faces as I came out of there
– someone from the
Meadowbrook congregation
had come to console me!
− Talk about inspiration -- a
lady doctor asked me to pray
for them (the doctors and
nurses) before surgery on
me – so that they could take
best care of me effectively.
− The urologist who cares for
me is someone I have known
since he was a school boy – I
received him into the church
as a young communicant at
St. Paul’s, Lockett Avenue.
I prepare to take my leave and think
again that there is indeed a felt
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“reverence” to being in Ashley Smith’s
presence; meetings that almost force
deep reflection and contemplation on
any range of topics through which he
moves effortlessly, and for as long as
time available allows.
As we’re ending the interview, he
looks at his diary again – to greet with
a smile and welcome, another
member of Hope who arrived to visit
with him. That circle of goodness
remains. And he continues to accept it
all with humility.
Rev Ashley Smith During Active Service:
− Pastor with the United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands
− In his career as an ordained minister, he worked in: Lowe River (Trelawny), Pike (Manchester), and
Cascade (St. Ann)
− He also worked as pastor in Retirement, at Maggotty, Accompong, and Thornton (St. Elizabeth) and as
Interim pastor at the following churches:
o St. Andrew’s Scots Kirk;
o St. Paul’s (later becoming pastor);
o Meadowbrook;
o Castleton;
o The Brown’s Hall charge
− During his career he was minister at:
o St. John’s United Church (Hannah Town): 1962 – 1973; and
o Hope United Church: 1974 – 1981
− Lecturer at United Theological College of the West Indies
− Moderator, United Church of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands: 1969-72; 1979-80
− President, Jamaica Council of Churches
− Holder of Lutheran Lectureship: 1981 – 1985
− President of the United Theological College: 1985 – 1990
− Co-founder and President of the Interfaith Council of Jamaica
− Chaplain of the University of the West Indies; and Mona Preparatory School
− Minister-at-large, Presbyterian Church in Ireland: May – June 1973
− Worked with Presbyterian Church, USA (their Mission to America programme): 1975, 1992
− Visiting Professor of Columbia Theological Seminary at Decatur, Georgia, USA: September – December
1992
− Worked with British Council of Churches (Study of: the Offerings of the Ministerial Training Institutions
of Great Britain)
Since Retirement:
− Minister of Presbyterian congregations in Grenada: 1998 – 99
− Part-time Lecturer and Student Advisor in UTC’s Graduate programme (specializing in Religion and
Society): 1999 – present
13
Ministry Groups – Highlights compiled by Gillian Glean-Walker
Outreach and Care
Sick, shut-ins and needy people
Approximately 50 people are supplied
with basic packages on a monthly
basis. Items are also given to the
Shady Grove Early Childhood
Institution. The Ministry Group also
participated in providing goods and
services to the “Feeding the
Homeless” project . Supplies were
received from Food for the Poor,
Grace Kennedy and financial support
was given by members of the
congregation .
Preparing for “Feeding the Homeless”
Senior Citizens meet on the 3rd
Wednesday of the month for
discussions, games, prayer fellowship,
socials and fun times.
Hope Keep-fitters enjoy 3 one hour
sessions weekly, with qualified
instructors.
Shady Grove Early Childhood
Institution caters to 3 - 6 years old
children. The school follows the
prescribed curriculum from the
Ministry of Education.
Hope Area Churches Organization
(HACO) receives an annual financial
contribution from this Ministry group.
Chair: Elder Ruth Coke
Children, Youth & Young Adults
The Children and Youth ministry has
continued to provide spiritual
guidance, as well as opportunities for
leadership and for full participation in
the life of the church.
The Church School now has a home of
its own in the recently refurbished
containers, the Youth Centre , which
is also being used for teachers’ and
parents’ meetings.
Our children were involved in many
events, such as the Ecumenical
14
Children’s Rally organized by the
Sunday School superintendents in the
Hope Area Churches Organisation
(HACO), the ingathering rally for
Mission Funds, the Lenten Self Denial
project and Harvest Festival.
The annual prize giving was held
during Youth Month in November
2014. Children were awarded prizes
and certificates for their good efforts
throughout the year.
All children took part in this variety
concert and in the staging of the
Christmas Concert – The Drummer
Boy , held in December. Participation
by the Lister Gilby Mair School for the
Deaf, items by Miss Fiona Kerr and the
drummers from Mona Preparatory
School were added features.
A new addition to the Church School
programme is The Children’s Church
which has, been held on three
occasions this year. The last of these
was held on Sunday March 15 in the
sanctuary, and which included a dance
performance and dramatisation of the
story of the Samaritan Woman at the
Well. Children were responsible for all
aspects of the worship service, except
for the sermon and the notices.
The football team which includes boys
from the Youth Fellowship and the
Boys’ Brigade are 2014 champions and
recipients of the Tucker Cup.
Youth Sunday March 15
Vacation Bible School and Summer
Camps are also activities in which the
children participate.
A trip to the Pringle Home for Girls in
Carron Hall, St. Mary is being planned
for April 2015. Parents have already
been informed about this and a good
turnout of children and their parents
is anticipated on that day.
Co-Chair: Elders Arlene Campbell and
Arlene Edwards
Worship & Fellowship
This committee works to ensure for all
members, adherents and visitors, a
vital worship experience that will
facilitate belief in the Lordship of Jesus
15
Christ and to create a welcoming and
caring environment in the church.
Focus this year , will be on the
development of the music ministry as
we attempt to enhance the vibrancy
of worship services and to include
more participation from children and
youth during the Sunday morning
service.
Chair: Elder Elizabeth Sherman
Discipleship/ Membership
The church has acquired an electronic
Church Management System,
Excellerate, and is in the process of
putting in place a networked version
of the system. At the same time, and
in conjunction with this activity, the
Discipleship and Membership
Committee is reorganizing the church
office to expand the effectiveness of
the church’s administrative functions.
Chair: Elder Winsome Johns-Gayle
Stewardship
The Committee has analysed the
"Time, Talent and Treasure" Pledge
Forms for 2015, and the results of the
analysis have been circulated to all
Elders, to assist Ministry Groups in
determining where members
indicated a willingness to assist in the
various Church activities. This
information will be entered in the
newly acquired Church management
software system, Excellerate.
With respect to monetary pledges and
tithes, quarterly statements of Pledge
balances will be circulated to
members who have pledged.
Under consideration will be the
holding of at least two Forums during
2015 to highlight Tithing and the
importance of giving for the work of
the Church. The congregation should
note that over 80% of Hope United
Church’s income comes from
members’ and adherents’
contribution.
Chair: Elder Noel Osbourne
Mission & Evangelism
This Ministry Group has defined its
goals , objectives and strategies to
meet perceived needs.
The Goal of Mission is to minister to
the spiritual and other needs of
specific target/age groups of the
church & local community, with
emphasis on young persons, seniors
and reaching out to the needy within
our immediate church community.
The Goal of Evangelism is to further
strengthen evangelism and outreach
programmes by targeting specific
groups and/or establish programmes
within our church in order to reach
others for Christ and grow the church
Chair: Elder Pauline Beaumont
16
Property
The Property Committee continues to
care and maintain all Hope United
Church property.
Renovation work on the four metal
containers, now named “The Youth
Centre”, commenced in 2013. At
present work on the ground floor of
the building has been completed and
plans are in place to complete the
upper floor in the near future.
Renovation work on the resident
caretaker's accommodation is
completed. Furniture and household
appliances were provided by
members of the congregation. The
new caretaker started work in March,
2015.
.
Co-Chairs: Mr. David Copeland and
Mr. Delroy Hill
Communication
Over the past year the Committee has
extended use of electronic media. We
have therefore begun to make greater
use of the Church’s presence on
Facebook to share information about
church activities and areas of interest.
To facilitate this we need to have
current emails of all church members
through updating of the List of
Members.
Plans for the launch of the Church’s
website are being implemented. The
draft of the website contents has been
prepared and work is ongoing to
incorporate the contents including the
“Herald of Hope” into the website.
The Reading Circle which meets on the
Third Sunday of each month, has
focused on talks and films related to
local issues. Sessions have covered
poetry readings, and interactive
presentations by authors on their
works. Church members are invited to
suggest publications for discussion.
Chair: Prof. Fay Durrant
17
Auxiliary Groups – Highlights compiled by Gillian Glean-Walker
Men’s Fellowship
The Men of Hope continue to host
worship services throughout the year;
the highlight being the Annual
Synodical Service in October . In May
2014 the Fellowship organized for the
well-known tenor, De Mario
McDowell to serenade all the ladies at
the 8:30 a.m. Service on Mothers’
Day. On the Fifth Sunday in August
we also had , as our Guest Preacher,
Dr. Michael Coombs, Founder and
President of the National Association
of the Family.
The Men of Hope continues to
participate in the activities of the
North Eastern Regional Mission
Council (NERMC) Men’s Fellowship,
give support to the Boys’ Brigade and
assist in teaching Church School
during the summer. A special fund
raising Pre-Easter Fish Fry was held at
the Church in March, to assist the Boys
in purchasing gears for sporting
activities, training young officers and
acquiring items for a Drum Corps.
President: Elder Winston Wright
Women’s Fellowship
We live by our Motto “ By Love, Serve
“ We host two annual fund raising
efforts to help our outreach projects
such as Pringle Home, Shady Grove
Basic School , Sunday School, Girls’
Brigade. On our Women’s Fellowship
Sunday each January, we also give
funds to be used toward the
Emergency Health Fund.
President: Mrs. Ceta Ebanks
Young Adults Action Movement
Our purpose and mission is simple: to
create a space for young adults to feel
comfortable in their journey to Christ
so that they may participate in
Christian service for their Church and
throughout their daily lives.
We lead by declaring the Good News:
Despite our challenges, God is
continuously relevant and working in
our everyday lives. We spread this
idea by participating in activities in
and outside the church. These include:
outreach through planned visits to
sick and shut ins of the church;
conducting Bible Studies; participating
in weekly 7:00 am and 8:30 am
services church services through
Praise and Worship, ushering,
Scripture Readings and Children and
Youth sessions .
18
As the Jamaican phrase affirms: “Wi
little but wi tallawah”
President: Ms. Danielle Gordon
Youth Fellowship
1 Timothy 4:12 : "Don't let anyone
look down on you because you are
young, but set an example for the
believers in speech, in life, in love, in
faith, and in purity."
We are committed to leading all youth
to become disciples of Jesus Christ.
Youth Fellowship is open to youth
ages 13 - 25. We meet on Sunday
mornings after church, 11:00 am
12:30 pm, and our activities include
Bible Study , led by the youth leaders,
and discussions. Along with Bible
Study there are normally games,
further discussions, small outings and
refreshment after meetings. Youth
Fellowship also has our own small
choir and we often perform in church.
President: Ms. Shallene Oliver
Youth Fellowship members
Quiz: How well do you know your Church?Quiz: How well do you know your Church?Quiz: How well do you know your Church?Quiz: How well do you know your Church?
1. On what date was Hope United Church formally established?
2. Which were the originating churches?
3. Name four previous ministers of the Hope United Church.
4. Where is the “Youth Centre” of Hope United Church located?
5. Name four Ministry Groups of the Hope United Church.
6. Name the schools for which Hope United Church is responsible.
7. Give the first line of the Mission Statement of the Hope United Church.
8. What is the name of the Church Secretary?
9. Who is the Moderator Elect of the United Church?
10. Name the author of “The Cross and the Machete”
11. Estimate the number of members of the Hope United Church to the nearest fifty.
19
SYNOD by Patricia Matheson
Synod, headed by The Moderator, is
the biennial gathering of the
leadership and decision making body
of the Church. It is divided into four
Regional Mission Councils, and each
Regional Mission Council is headed by
a Regional Deputy General Secretary
(RDGS). The Regional Mission Councils
are:
Cayman Islands Regional Mission
Council (CIRMC)
North Eastern Regional Mission
Council (NERMC)
Southern Regional Mission Council
(SRMC)
Western Regional Mission Council
(WRMC)
Synod 39 will be held during the
period April 20 – 23, 2015 at the
Kendal Camp and Conference Centre.
The theme is “Renewal and
Transformation: Discipleship for
LIFE” the acronym LIFE represents
Liberty, Integrity, Faith and
Environment.
During the Opening Ceremony,
Moderator elect, Rev. L. Christopher .
Mason will be installed as the
Moderator for an initial period of two
years. Another highlight of this year’s
Synod will be the recognition, in the
form of a public lecture, of our Dr.
Norma Smellie, for her forty-eight
years of outstanding and dedicated
service to the United Church in
Jamaica and the Cayman Islands.
This public lecture will be held on
Wednesday, April 22 at 2:30 p.m. at
Kendal Camp and Conference Centre.
The delegates to this year’s Synod
from Hope United Church will be the
following members of the
Congregational Board: Rev. Dr.
Margaret Fowler, Minister, and Elders
Noel Osbourne, (Deputy Chair),
Janyce Robinson, (Church Treasurer)
and Patricia Matheson, (Church
Secretary).
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
20
Ministers / Pastors of the Church
The congregation has been blessed with the service of the following leaders:
Rev. Mungo Carrick April 1960 – March 1961
Rev. John Perry April 1961 – March 1962
Rev. Douglas Miller March 1962 – September 1963
Rev. William Mayberry October 1963 – June 1969
Rev. Dale Bisnauth October 1969 – March 1973
Rev. Ashley Smith January 1974 – August 1981
Rev. Michael Miller 1983 – 1989
Rev. Dr. Roderick Hewitt 1996 – 2010
Rev Dr. Margaret Fowler January 2011 - Present
There was also valuable leadership from the following Interim Ministers:
Rev. Raymond Schember 1967
Rev. A.H. Taylor 1969
Rev. Gladstone Donalds 1973-1974
Rev. Samuel Smellie 1989-1996
Rev. Raymond Coke 2010
Extracted from: A History of Hope United Church by Elizabeth Sherman
21
The Zones at Hope United .
The purpose of Zones is to build
authentic fellowship so that every
member may have a deep sense of
belonging. The Zone offers the space
and opportunity for members to learn
to learn to relate to others in the
Church.
When a Zone is functioning well four
things are visible:
Members genuinely care for each
other;
Members participate and share from
the heart;
Members learn from and love the
study of the Scriptures;
Members regularly show up for Zone
meetings.
Everyone in the group is vital to its
proper functioning. Therefore when
one member is absent it impacts
significantly on the dynamics of the
group.
At Hope there is no official structure
for the functioning of each Zone. It
has been left open for the Elders and
members to choose a structure that
best meets their needs.
In addition to engendering a warm
and inviting fellowship, the Zone must
give focused attention to outreach.
Without outreach the group becomes
insular and stultified. “Reaching out”
should be at the heart of the purpose
and agenda of the Zones.
Adapted from ‘ Strengthening the Zone Ministry’ in the publication ‘Elders of Hope’
ZONES GEOGRAPHICAL AREAS
01 Papine Road, United Theological College, easterly off Papine Road to Elleston Flats
and environs, southerly to Gibraltar Camp Road, along Hermitage Road to
Goldsmith Villa Road to include Hermitage, August Town and environs, Hope
Tavern, Kintyre. Leaders: Venice Walters and Ruth Coke.
2A Mona Heights: East on Garden Blvd leading into Violet Avenue , crossing Gardenia
Avenue and Mona Road, UWI and environs. Leaders: Sonia Lynch and W. Johns-
Gayle
2B Mona Heights: West of Garden Blvd leading into Violet Avenue to Gardenia and
Mona Road, Karachi Avenue, Long Mountain, and environs, , along Mona Road to
Matilda ‘s Corner including Blue Castle Drive. Leaders: Carol Davis and Gillian
Glean-Walker.
03 Matilda’s Corner, easterly to Mona Road and Wellington Drive, Beverly Hills, and
Beverley Glades to Old Hope Road , along Old Hope Road to Lady Musgrave Road
and Seymour Lands. Intersection of Old Hope Road and Mountain View Ave.
22
ZONES GEOGRAPHICAL AREAS
southerly along Mt. View to include Nannyville, Mountain Terrace. Mt. View
Gardens, Windward Road, to Harbour View. Leaders: Patricia Matheson, Lascelles
Lewis and Noel Osborne
O4 Intersection of Hope Road and Lady Musgrave to Trafalgar Road, Waterloo
Road(including New Kingston and Trafalgar Park to intersection of Upper Waterloo
and Grants Pen Roads, Drumblair, West Kings House Road, Mayfair, to Hope Road,
Lady Musgrave to Waterloo Road. Leaders: Patricia Durrant and Janyce Robinson
05 Intersection Constant Spring and Dunrobin Avenue, Washington Blvd, Molynes
Road, Meadowbrook, Havendale, Mannings Hill, Mary Brown’s Corner, Pembrooke
Hall, Duhaney Park, Portmore and environs, Smokey Hill and environs, Constant
Spring, Stony Hill. Leaders: Pauline Beaumont and Janet Irwin
06 Intersection of Shortwood and Grants Pen Roads, Barbican Road, Acadia , Alysham,
Norbrook, Cherry Gardens, Manor Park to Shortwood Road Leaders : Junie
Goulbourne and Winston Wright.
07 Intersection of Acadia Drive and Barbican Road, to east Kings House Road, Jacks
Hill, Graham Heights, Russell Heights Leaders: Arlene Campbell and Arlene
Edwards
08 Intersection of Barbican and Widcome Roads to Mountain Spring to include Armon
Jones and environs, part of Hope Pastures area bounded by Charlemont Drive,
Monterey Drive and Widcombe Leaders: Lois Morgan and Winston Wright
09 Part Hope Pastures: Hope Blvd. to Charlemont Drive, including College Green,
Glendon Circle, Hart Blvd., and environs including National Chest Hospital and
Lister Mair Gilby school and School for the Deaf Leaders: Elizabeth Sherman and
Earl Sammuels.
10 Intersection of Hope Blvd. and Old Hope Road, easterly along Old Hope Road to
Papine (including U.Tech), Papine to Gordon Town, Guava Ridge, Irish Town
(including educational institutions in the area) Leaders: Marlene Uter and Evan
Oniss
20/05/2014
23
The Reading Circle 2013-2015
by Fay Durrant
The Reading Circle began in July 2013,
with the objective of encouraging
reading and discussion of local
publications and issues among church
members. Our first session was led by
Dr Velma Pollard, poet and educator,
who read extracts from her poetry,
made comments, and answered
questions from the audience. She
made reference to her published
anthology: “And Caret Bay Again: New
and Selected Poems” 2013.
In September 2013 we began viewing
the trilogy HUSH – a film in three parts
– set in Barbados. It was aimed at
exploring the difficulties experienced
by young people in a family impacted
by drugs, violence, incest and abuse.
The three films, HUSH, HUSH TWO
End the Silence, and HUSH THREE
Twisted Innocence were shown in
September and October 2013, and
February 2014. Rev Fowler introduced
each film.
In November 2013, Prof Veront
Satchell’s book “Hope Transformed: A
Historical Sketch of the Hope
Landscape, St Andrew, Jamaica, 1660–
1960. ” provided a view of the Hope
Estate area through various stages of
its development. In his presentation
he traced the changes in the Hope
Estate and the ways in which the use
of the properties were converted
from plantations to educational
institutions, commercial interests and
residential communities.
We started 2014 with Dr Barry Wade’s
presentation of his book “Ministry at
the Margins: Stories of Struggle,
Survival, and Transformation at the
Margins of Society.” This book covers
the Mona Baptist Church’s HELP
Ministry (Healing and Empowerment
with Love and Prayer) and “tells the
story of people whose lives were
transformed through this programme
for helping marginalized people in the
Hope area”.
In May and June of 2014, the sessions
covered the environment and
particularly the issues related to the
planned “Jamaican Logistics Hub.”
The presentations were made by Dr
Fritz Pinnock, on The Jamaica Logistics
Hub – Logistics 101 and by Prof Dale
Webber on Coastal Zone
Management. Dr Pinnock’s
presentation was reflected in the
publication“ Piracy to Transhipment :
24
Jamaica’s Journey to Becoming a
Global Logistics Hub”
www.gracekennedy.com/images/lect
ure/grace_lec-2014final_ebook.pdf
Prof Webber’s presentation “ Current
Issues on Jamaica’s Coastal Zone
Management Particularly in Relation
to the Development of the Logistics
Hub” brought out the scientific
implications of some of the options
under discussion .
In September 2014, “They Call Me
Teacher: The Life and Times of Sir
Howard Cooke, Governor-General of
Jamaica”, was presented by the
author Jackie Ranston. The
presentation reflected the areas to
which Sir Howard dedicated his life,
and the impact of his teaching, local
and regional political endeavours, his
work in the insurance industry, and as
Governor General.
In February 2015 Rev. Earl Thames’
former Moderator of the United
Church, presented his work “The Book
of Revelation: A commentary for
Laypersons” in the form of a bible
study which was followed by
discussion.
The most recent session of the
Reading Circle held in March 2015 was
led by the Rev. Dr Devon Dick author
of “The Cross and the Machete: Native
Baptists of Jamaica – Identity, Ministry
and Legacy”. He congratulated the
Hope United Church for having
implemented the concept of the
Reading Circle and indicated that he
was very pleased to have been invited
to present his work.
Rev Dick introduced The Morant Bay
Rebellion, otherwise known as the
Native Baptist War which he said
represents an important watershed in
Jamaican history. He identified several
writers of traditional historiography
who have often represented the
actions of Paul Bogle, hero/villain
Baptist Deacon and his followers
when they marched on the Morant
Bay Court House in 1865, as being
motivated by mere murderous intent.
He stressed the importance of
thorough research as evidenced by his
findings in original documents
attributed to Bogle and other Native
Baptists.
‘The Cross and the Machete provides
an alternative interpretation of Bogle
s actions and introduces a new
paradigm for understanding the
struggle for equality, justice and
liberation.”
Rev Dick concluded that Paul Bogle
was inspired to act because of the
injustices meted out to his group and
others in the colonial court system,
and could be described as a martyr.
25
The Story of Hope by Neville Gibbs
(Reproduced from the 25th Anniversary issue of “Herald of Hope,” April 1985)
It is a great joy and privilege for me to
convey these greetings on the
occasion of the 25th Anniversary of the
founding of the Hope Church.
Most of you would have read
something of our history in the
Souvenir Brochure which was
circulated on the occasion of our 21st
Anniversary and so I simply wish to
bring to you some of the highlights of
our achievements during past 25
years.
As you know, the Church was formally
established and congregated on
Easter Sunday, 17 April, 1960, by the
late Rev Alfred Henry, (husband of our
own Myrtle Henry), Moderator of the
South-East Presbytery of the
Presbyterian Church of Jamaica and
Grand Cayman.
Rev. Mungo Carrick, Minister of St
Andrew’s Scots Kirk was named the
first Minister and he served until
March 1961. He was followed by Rev.
John Perry, (Theological Tutor of the
Union Seminary) and the Rev. Douglas
Miller, Minister of Lincoln Kirk, who
both served for short periods of one
year or more until October 1963,
when Rev. William Mayberry, Minister
of the United Church of Canada was
inducted as our first full time Minister.
Rev. Mayberry served with great zeal
and assiduity until 3rd June 1969
before returning to Canada with his
family.
It was during the Ministry of the Rev.
Mayberry that our new and beautiful
church was built and furnished at a
cost of £19,000.00.. Also, it was
during this Ministry that we acquired
the Manse at 19 Margaret Drive at a
cost of £8,500.00.
Rev. Mayberry was succeeded by the
Rev. Dale Bisnauth who served from
October 1969 until 3rd March, 1973
before he returned to Guyana.
Following Rev. Bisnauth’s resignation
in November 1973, the congregation
was pleased to call the Rev. Ashley
Smith, Minister of St. John’s Church to
be our sixth Minister and he too
served with great distinction and
dedication from 27th January 27, 1974
until the 31st August, 1981, before
resigning to take up a teaching
appointment at the U.T.C.W.I.
Following his resignation, the vacancy
was temporarily filled by the Rev.
26
Samuel Smellie, General Secretary of
the United Church of Jamaica and
Grand Cayman, who served as Acting
Minister for a period of two years until
the recent appointment of the Rev.
Michael Miller in August 1983. We
congratulate our new pastor most
heartily on his leadership and his
accomplishments over the past two
years and wish for him every success
in the years that lie ahead.
During the past 25 years, we have
seen the Church grow in grace and in
numbers. Our several organisations
have grown from strength to strength
and while only 11 of the original 36
members are still worshipping with
us, our membership now stands at
300, while our Annual Budget has
grown from 000.00 to $120,000.00. In
fact, our budget has doubled in the
last 4 years from $60,000.00 to
$120,000.00.
.
With sacrifice, we have built what
many may have come to regard as a
beautiful landmark in the Mona area
and since that time we have added a
new Church Complex at a cost of some
$80,000.00.
We thank God for the progress that
we have made during the past 25
years of the existence of this Church,
and acknowledge with gratitude the
work of our past Ministers and Office-
Bearers, who without thought or
reward, have gladly given themselves
wholeheartedly to the work of the
Church.
We have had our ups and downs and
our exciting periods of growth,
especially during the formative years
and although our growth pattern has
been somewhat irregular, we are
strengthened in the fact that we now
have a number of new, young
members who are willing to take part
in Church work, and are doing it most
acceptably.
We, the founders, are therefore
pleased to hand over to our
Successors, a Church in good heart,
sound financially and with many
young and keen members who, we
feel sure will seek to build on the
example and strong foundation laid
by the founders. May God richly bless
us all.
NOTE: The late Neville Gibbs was a
founding member and Life Elder of
the Church.
27
BLOOPERSBLOOPERSBLOOPERSBLOOPERS!!!!!!!! FROM BULLETINS AND NOTICE BOARDSFROM BULLETINS AND NOTICE BOARDSFROM BULLETINS AND NOTICE BOARDSFROM BULLETINS AND NOTICE BOARDS
The Fasting and Prayer Conference includes meals.
--------------------------
The sermon this morning: 'Jesus Walks on the Water.' The sermon tonight: 'Searching for
Jesus,'
--------------------------
Ladies, don't forget the rummage sale. It's a chance to get rid of those things not worth
keeping around the house. Bring your husbands.
--------------------------
Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our community. Smile at someone who is
hard to love. Say 'Hell' to someone who doesn't care much about you.