11 Church News & Notices

Cathedral News

Office Hours: The Cathedral Office will remain open on Monday to Friday, from 9:00 A.M. until 4:00 P.M.

Financial Stewardship: The ministry of the Cathedral is supported primarily by its members’ contributions weekly and monthly. However, if you would like to support the stewardship of this sacred place, please donate to St. Michael’s Cathedral, Bridgetown, St. Michael. Friends and well-wishers may write to stmichaelcathedral@caribsurf.com or call 1 246-427-0790 for more details. Meantime, donations can be made through online payments to St. Michael’s Cathedral, CIBC First Caribbean International Bank, Bridgetown Branch, Account # 2719302; Transit # 09606.  Special projects at this time are: Audio Equipment (cost: $20,000.00; donations as at July 31, 2021: $17,815.00); Ashfall Clean-up (cost: $15,000.00; donations as at July 31, 2021: $4,461.00) and Online Ministry. Donations may also be made in marked envelopes and placed in the Offering Box or brought to the Administrative Office. All donations are appreciated.

THE DAILY OFFICES: The recitation of Morning and Evening Prayer forms part of the discipline of clergy and laity. The Daily Office can also serve as a personal or family discipline. The Daily Lectionary for Proper 14, begins on page 766, in the Book of Common Prayer. Note further that this year is Year 1, and the readings for Sunday are Psalms 66 and 67; 2 Samuel 13:1-22; Romans 15:1-13 ; for Monday, August 9th, 2021, are 2 Samuel 13:23-39, Psalm 89:1-18, and Acts 20:17-38 and for the rest of the week as follows on pages 766 and 767.

Flowers: The Cathedral Church takes this opportunity to thank anonymous donors for their gift of the flowers adorning our church today, as we celebrated with the Rev’d Dr. Marcus Lashley on his last Sunday (July 25) as Assistant Priest of the Cathedral family.

Parochial Church Council: Further to the recently held Annual Parish Meeting, the Parochial Church Council for the term which will end on February 28, 2023 will comprise the following:

Ex-Officio: Mr. Darwin Clarke, Mr. Samuel Maxwell and Dr. Wendy Sealy, Synod Representatives; and, Ms. Donna Inniss, Alternate Synod Representative

Elected:
Mr. Victor Gittens, Mr. Darnley King, Mr. Trevor King, Mr. David Murray, Ms. Donnah Russell, and Mr. Victor Sylvester.

Appointed:
Ms. Jennifer Benn, Mrs. Juno Burrows, Ms. Deidre Cox, Ms. Harriet Clarke, Mr. Jabari Jones, and Ms. Renee Thomas.

We give thanks for the ministry of Mrs. Judy King and Mr. Ian C. Weekes who served on the Council during the previous term, and we look forward to their ongoing service in other areas of the church’s witness, work, and worship.

Audio Equipment: After extensive consultation, a decision has been taken to replace the sound system. This project is estimated to cost over $20,000.00. Parishioners and well-wishers are invited to make contributions to meet this expense. Thanks to persons who have already made a donation or have pledged towards this cause.

Ash Fall: The cleaning of the Cathedral, both the inside and the environs, has been a mammoth task. It is ongoing. Meanwhile, your generous contribution towards the non-budgeted expenditure would be appreciated.

Thy Kingdom Come global prayer movement: Members are encouraged to join with other Christians across the globe in praying for people to know Jesus. This is an annual wave of prayer during Ascensiontide. Please see the link below.

https://www.thykingdomcome.global/

Diocesan Calendars: The 2021 Diocesan Calendars are available through the offices of the Administrative Assistant, at the price of $6.00 each.

BOOKS ON THE PANDEMIC

Virus as a Summons to Faith; Biblical Reflections in a Time of Loss, Grief, and Uncertainty, Brueggemann, Walter (Paternoster: Thinking Faith, 2020)

We shall be changed. Questions for the Post-Pandemic Church, Edited by Mark D. W. Edington (Church Publishing Incorporated 2020)

God and The Pandemic: A Christian Reflection on the Coronavirus and Its Aftermath, N.T. Wright (Zondervan Reflective 2020)

The Distanced Church: Reflections on Doing Church Online, Heidi A. Campbell, Editor (e-book). College Station, Tx: Digital Religion Publications, 2020.

Candles in the Dark: Faith, hope and love in a time of pandemic, Rowan Williams, SPCK Publishing 2020

Flowers: The Cathedral Church takes this opportunity to thank the family of Mrs. Paula Agbowu and the family of Mrs. Anita M. Yarde, for their donation of flowers which adorn our church today, in celebration of their birthdays on June 23rd, and 29th, respectively.

Prayer Garden:  Please remember the sick or injured of our Parish and wider community, especially Mr. Aldon and Mrs. Margaret Browne, Mrs. Colleen Byer, Ms. Eudora Cooper, Mr. Allison Daniel, Ms. Alice P. Hall, Mr. Jonathan Holder, Mrs. Olga Holder, Ms. Selina Jones, Mrs. Vida King, Mr. Blair Murray, Ms. Phyllis Springer, Ms. Winifred Trotman, and Mr. Ronald Wilkinson. Wilkinson.

Church Services: Emergency Management (COVID-19) Churches (No. 9) Directive, 2021 The following protocols will be enforced: Attendance is limited to the number of persons that the building can accommodate, six feet apart in all directions; Temperature checks upon arrival; Wearing of Masks, Designated Seating; the Use of an Offering Box; Physical Distancing – Six (6) feet apart; No physical exchange of the Greeting of Peace; Sanitization of Hands before entering the Cathedral and before Communion. Meantime, members are asked to pray the Office of Morning Prayer, at home with their household.

Please note the link to the St. Michael’s Cathedral below:

https://www.facebook.com/saintmichaelscathedral/

http://www.youtube.com/c/SaintMichaelsCathedralBarbados

Ministry Today: The following basic ministries will be sustained during the emergency period: Administration (Human Resources, Financial and Property
management); Christian Education (Bible study, etc.); Pastoral Services (Prayer, Counsel and Bereavement Support); Social Outreach (Deacon’s Cupboard, SMCFA); and Worship (Streaming of services, Family worship, Daily Devotion).

The Opening of Church Offices & Church Halls: Church Offices and Halls may be opened daily, between 9:00 A.M. and 4:00 P.M., only for the receipt of ‘tithes and offerings’ and the collection of food items for hampers, care packages or pantries and the distribution thereof. 

Gifts, Memorials and Thanksgiving: Members are invited to donate items for use in worship in memory of loved ones who have passed, and to celebrate birthdays, wedding and confirmation anniversaries and other achievements. Donation options may also include flowers to decorate the church on First Sundays or during the Church’s Festivals.

❖ Flowers                             $150 – $200 per week
❖ Wafers                              $55.00 per box
❖ Wine                                 $105.00 per case
❖ Votive Candles                $15.00 per set of ten (10)
❖ Votive candle holders   $82.50 per case
❖ Water for Dispenser      $27.15 per bottle

To offer your donation, you may contact the Administrative Assistant.

Church Army: Ms. Donnah Russell recently assumed the post of Captain of the St. Michael ‘s Cathedral Church Army. She succeeds, her mother, Captain Evelyn Jackman. Congratulations and best wishes in this new role as leader. The ministry of the Church Army involves, among other in things: the proclamation of the Gospel by word as well as by deed; bringing all persons into unity with God and each other in Christ; and promoting justice, peace and love in all places.

Daily Offices of Morning and Evening Prayer as part of their growth in righteousness, and of having a right relationship with God and their neighbours. The Book of Common Prayer is a symbol of unity in the Church in the Province of the West Indies and we stand in solidarity with other believers from across the Anglican Communion. The Cycle of Readings for the Daily Office affords persons the opportunity to read significant portions of Scripture throughout the year.  Pray for grace at this time!

Memorials and Thanksgiving: The following may be offered as a memorial or thanksgiving:
 Flowers $150.00 – $200 per week
 Wafers $ 55.00 per box
 Wine (case) $105.00 per case
If you wish to donate any of the above items in memory of your loved ones, flowers to decorate the church for First Sundays or for our Patronal Festival, which will be soon here, you can contact the Administrative Assistant, along with your donation.

Guild of St. Raphael: A branch of the Guild of St. Raphael was commissioned in the Cathedral on Sunday, December 03, 2017. The Convener is Mr. Darwin Clarke and the Secretary is Ms. Kurlyne Alleyne. Members observe a simple rule of prayer, study and work for this ministry, aiming always to promote Christ’s ministry of healing – healing of the whole person. The Guild will meet in corporate worship on the first Wednesday of each month at the Public Service of Healing.

Fire Wardens: Some measures have been taken to enhance the Safety and Security of the premises: the installation of Electronic Surveillance Cameras, Smoke Detectors, and Fire Extinguishers. The next phase is Emergency Management. Towards that end, the Church has invited members to serve as Fire Wardens in the event of an emergency. The following persons have indicated their willingness to service:
Mrs. Valdine E. Browne       Mrs. Judy King
Mrs. Juno Burrows               Mr. Trevor King
Mr. Goulbourne Drakes       Ms. Coral Riley
Mr. Paul Blackman               Mr. Stephen Smith
Mrs. Harriett  Blackman      Mrs. Margaret Watson
Mr. Keith Worrell

DIOCESAN NEWS

Annual Parish Meeting: The Synod Council at its February meeting passed a resolution which authorised the postponement of the Annual Parish meetings across the Diocese, until they can be lawfully convened and as the Bishop shall direct. This decision was made in view of the current restrictions, which limit the number of people who can assemble in public gatherings. Consequently, the term of the Parochial Church members, including the Lay Synod Representatives, has been extended until such time as the meeting is held. Meantime, any vacancies which might occur before that time, will be filled in accordance with Regulation D4: 17 of the Constitution, Canons and Regulations of the Diocese.

Retirement: Ms. Mary Haynes, Q.C. officially retired as Chancellor of the Diocese of Barbados on February 28, 2021. However, an extension was given to her tenure to facilitate the recently convened annual Diocesan Synod. Consequently, Ms. Haynes, demitted office on July 31, 2021. May God bless all her future endeavours.

The Appointment of New Chancellor: Ms. Sadie Dixon has been appointed the new Chancellor of Diocese, effective August 1, 2021. Ms. Dixon is an Attorney-at-Law and has been in the practice for some 27 years. She is the Legal Counsel at the Central Bank of Barbados. She holds a Master of Laws with Distinction from the University of Warwick (UK), a Bachelor of Laws with Honours from the University of the West Indies as well as a certificate in Legislative Drafting from the University of London’s Institute of Advanced Legal Studies. Ms. Dixon is currently a registered communicant and active member of the Church of the Holy Trinity.

The Rev’d Stephanie-Ann Wedderburn: The Rev’d Stephanie-Ann Wedderburn will be appointed Part-time Assistant Priest at St Michael’s Cathedral effective September 1, 2021. We wish her the very best as she transitions to the exercise of her ministry within the context of the city.

Bishop’s Vacation Leave: Please be informed that the Bishop has adjusted his vacation dates slightly. He will now be on leave from July 28th until September 7th, 2021. During this period, Archdeacon, The Ven. Eric E. Lynch will serve as Vicar General.

Deacon Nicholas Small-Warner: The Rev’d Nicholas Small-Warner has been assigned as Assistant Curate to the Church of St Mary effective July 14, 2021. We wish Rev’d Nicholas a fruitful ministry.

Coronavirus, COVID–19 Guidelines: From Sunday, March 8, 2020 the following came into effect until the Bishop indicates otherwise:

1. Physical interaction during services, including the Sign of Peace, shaking hands on entry or departure of religious services/gatherings should be suspended until further notice.

2. Everyone administering Holy Communion should wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use alcohol-based hand gel, before beginning.

3. Holy Communion should be administered in one kind only: under the species of Bread and placed onto the hands of the recipient only and not onto the tongue.

4. Suspend direct physical contact as part of a blessing or ‘laying on of hands.’

5. Clergy will not be visiting members who have influenza-type symptoms; instead, pastoral support for parishioners who are unable to attend church services should be provided by telephone, or social media.

6. Parishioners who feel ill and display influenza-like symptoms should stay at home.

Appointments:  Members are asked to note the following appointments of clergy to serve as Priests-in-Charge, as announced by Bishop Maxwell:

• The Rev’d Canon DeVere Murrell – the Parish Church of St. John, January 1 – February 29, 2020.
• The Rev’d Canon Seibert Small – Parish Church of St. Andrew, January 1 – April 30, 2020
• The Rev’d Graveney Bannister – the Parish of St. Clement and St. Swithun, January 1 – April 30, 2020.
• The Rev’d Dr. Michael Clarke – the Parish of Holy Cross, January 1 – April 30, 2020.
• The Rev’d Canon Wayne Isaacs – the Parish of St Mary, January 1 – April 30, 2020.

Ordination To The Diaconate: The Rev’d Roslyn Harper-Johnson, formerly of the Methodist Church, who has been on a three-month period of orientation into our Anglican faith and liturgical practices, will be ordained to the diaconate on the Feast of the Confession of St Peter, Saturday, January 18, 2020 at the Church of St. Mary, at 5:00 P.M. Your prayers and presence are requested. Please inform your congregations of this service of ordination.

New Archbishop: During the recently concluded Fortieth Triennial Synod of the Church in the Province of the West Indies, held in Port of Spain in the Diocese of Trinidad and Tobago, the Rt. Rev’d Dr. Howard Gregory, Bishop of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands was elected as the Archbishop, Primate and Metropolitan of the Province. Before being elected Bishop of Jamaica in 2012, Archbishop Gregory served as the President of his alma mater, the United Theological College of the West Indies (UTCWI), and Suffragan Bishop of Montego Bay (2002), Please pray for him in his new ministry as leader of the regional church, amidst the worldwide Anglican Communion.