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CIRMC Weekly

Page: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 [11-20] [21-21]


The CIRMC’s Response to the Ukraine Crisis Wednesday Jun 29, 2022
	The Congregations in the Cayman Islands Regional Mission Council received financial donations from Members and Adherents from March to May 2022 to provide relief in war-torn Ukraine. On Wednesday, June 29, 2022, the Regional Deputy General Secretary, Rev Dr Yvette Noble-Bloomfield, presented CI $ 7,782.40 to the Cayman Islands Red Cross. Mrs Samantha White-Smith, the CIRC Volunteer and Resources Manager, accepted the cheque on behalf of the CIRC. The CIRC will send the funds to the Ukraine Red Cross to support the continuing relief effort. We remain in prayer for the people of Ukraine. please click here for more information (PDF file)

Resilient: The Cost of Discipleship (or The Cost of Following Jesus) By Mr. Noel Wallace Music Minister, Savannah United Church Wednesday Jun 22, 2022
	Please read Luke 9:57-62 As Jesus travelled during His earthly ministry, He encountered a number of ‘would-be’ followers. They made a show of wanting to be His disciples… to impress Jesus, or better yet, to impress the crowds that followed Jesus. Well, who is a disciple? A disciple of Christ is one who follows the teachings, life, and lifestyle of Christ. The aim is to become like Christ in everything and every way. Jesus made it quite clear that in deciding to follow Him we must count the cost. Salvation is a free gift of God. Jesus died on the cross for our sins. All we need to do is open our hearts and accept God’s forgiveness. However, God’s goal is not merely salvation but discipleship. God does not want us to merely show up at church on Sundays, He wants us to be a visible, verbal follower of Jesus daily. Today’s Church in general suffers from the fact that only 10% of the congregation do 90% of the work. Why? Excuses! Excuses! We find so many excuses for not following Christ, for not attending church (or even attending regularly), and for not participating in the church’s mission. Excuses represent the choices we make by justifying the reasons behind our actions. To be fair, not all excuses are bad. Some can be, let’s say, reasonable. In Luke 9:57-62, we are faced with the dilemma of how reasonable excuses are challenged by Jesus for their superficial nature because they mask what’s happening deep inside our hearts. please click here for more information (PDF file)

Resilience amid Doubt and Depression by Rev. Euthman Wray Wednesday Jun 15, 2022
	Please read: 1 Kings 19: 1 – 15 “What are you doing here, Elijah?” This was the question asked of the prophet in 1 Kings 19, as he found himself in a particular “place”, literally on the run, in a desert, being clearly doubtful, desolate, depressed, and even inviting death. In verse 4, we hear the extent of his pain, “I have had enough, Lord. Take my life,” and rolled over to die. Elijah wasn’t always “here”. This was the person through whom many miracles were wrought, as seen between chapters 17 and 18 of 1 Kings: no rains for over three years (17:2 & 18: 41); the miraculous increase in the small provisions of a widow and her son (17: 16); the resurrection of the widow’s son (17: 7 – 24); culminating with the miraculous calling down of fire from heaven as proof of the true God (18: 16 – 39). He was “there” in the know, the active, the victories, the fulfillment of purposeful life and witness. But now, alone, leaving his servant behind intentionally, preferring to be by himself, he embarked on a 40-day journey into his wilderness of deep doubt and depression. So, from “there”, “here” he was. Yet, the troubling question, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” please click here for more information (PDF file)

‘God in Three Persons, Blessed Trinity’ By Rev. Otto Menko Wednesday Jun 08, 2022
	In the Church’s Liturgical Calendar, Pentecost Sunday is followed by Trinity Sunday, inviting us to celebrate the mystery of the three Persons of God: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and to consider the relevance of this mystery in our life. We all are familiar with the tenet of our Christian faith that there is one God only and that this One God has been revealed to us as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. One divine being, and yet three distinct and identifiable divine persons. To some of us, this may seem to be a contradiction. How is it possible that God is one and three at the same time? What are we supposed to make of this? Well, this mystery – in a way- reminds us that when it comes to knowing and understanding God, we must acknowledge our limitations and boundaries. Our human intellect and language are completely inadequate to fully understand and express who God is. God is a mystery we cannot ever fathom or comprehend. Understanding and knowing God to a certain degree is possible only because of God’s self-revelation. With infinite love and mercy, God reached out to us and partially lifted the veil, so to speak, so that we might have a glimpse of the One who is beyond our human comprehension. Most of what we know and understand of God is coming from the Holy Scriptures, from the records of God’s self-revelation through events and persons, but in its fulness, through Jesus Christ. The Scriptures are the primary sources for gaining some degree of knowledge of who God is. please click here for more information (PDF file)

Resilient: Pentecost Power! by Rev Rohan Forrester -Chair of CIRMC Wednesday Jun 01, 2022
	One of the greatest stories of resilience in the Bible relates to the response of Jesus’ disciples after the resurrection. In the days between the crucifixion, resurrection, and Pentecost, we see Jesus’ disciples moved from being completely demoralized and discouraged to being in a celebratory and expectancy mood. Earlier, before Jesus ascended to heaven, Jesus had told the apostles to stay in Jerusalem to wait for the coming of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4-5). Before this time, Jesus had spent three years with the disciples, preparing them for this moment: • they witnessed His death; they encountered the resurrected Christ, • they’ve gone to the mountain where He told them to go, and now they’re waiting for what is going to happen next. • they are baffled, but excited to be in a state of expectancy, wondering, what will happen next? So, after Jesus ascended to heaven the disciples along with Jesus’ mother and brothers, and some women all gathered in the upper room of a house in Jerusalem. While waiting, the apostles chose Matthias to replace Judas. It is at this juncture, that the disciples who had been in Jerusalem for about 10 days before the Day of Pentecost, finally saw the promise fulfilled. please click here for more information (PDF file)

The Relevance of the Ascension by Rev. Dr. Yvette Noble-Bloomfield Wednesday May 25, 2022
	Please read Acts 1:1-11 and Luke 24:50-53 Ascension Day is celebrated on the fortieth day after Easter and ten days before Pentecost. It commemorates Jesus’ Ascension from the Mount of Olives in the presence of His Disciples. Thursday, May 26, 2022, was Ascension Day. On Sunday, May 29, 2022, we will observe Ascension Sunday. When we celebrate the Ascension of Jesus, not only do we recall His departure from this world in bodily form, but we also hear Christ calling and commanding us to be faithful witnesses and to be united as one body. We must confess that in so many ways we have not been faithful to Christ’s bidding for us as the Church to be one in body, mind, and spirit. The Disciples provided the Church with the credible witness of Jesus’ Ascension and the promise of His return. It is upon their witness that the Church has remained a gathered community awaiting the return of Christ. They asked Jesus if the end time had arrived when the kingdom of Israel would be restored. But Jesus indicated to them that it was not for them to know the time or the season when God would act. They were asked to wait. God would - in time - usher in God’s kingdom, not just restore Israel. At the Ascension, the Disciples heard the promise of the coming of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit would empower and transform their lives. They were instructed to wait for the coming of the Holy Spirit which would give them new horizons and energy to fulfil their calling. please click here for more information (PDF file)

Resilient: Obedience and Peace By Rev. Louis Sully Wednesday May 18, 2022
	Please read John 14:23-29 The world is full of challenges and obstacles. To survive requires personal persuasion and a clear purpose. We hear about fighting and wars and how they impact many parts of the world. Not only do we hear about them, but we are also fighting a war within us. People are seeking answers to their questions, what will happen with the war in Ukraine? What will happen after the COVID-19 war? When will this virus stop? Are we heading for a famine around the world? Why are the shelves so empty in the shops? The current situations are alarming and can present a conflict within. It is important to note that without hope and clear purpose, we can feel swallowed up by the challenges in the world, society, and homes. As a resilient people, I want to invite us to listen to the words of Jesus in John 14: 23-29. please click here for more information (PDF file)

Resilient: Love One Another By Rev. Dr. Yvette Noble-Bloomfield Wednesday May 11, 2022
	Please read John 13:31-35 The text from John 13: 31-35, invites us not only to consider but to enter the kind of love relationship which Christ commanded. Christ gave this commandment at the Last Supper with the Disciples after Judas left the table to do what he had purposed in his heart. During the table fellowship and discourse, Jesus indicated that one of the twelve would betray Him. The Disciple whom Jesus loved, was tasked by Peter to ascertain from Jesus who would betray Him. Jesus identified His betrayer by giving him bread that was dipped in the bowl. Deep within, Judas had decided to betray Jesus and to receive financial gain for his act of unrighteousness. Judas was a close friend and confidant of Jesus and had served as the financial officer for the Disciples. He knew all the details and enjoyed the fellowship at the table. Yet, within himself, he harbored thoughts of fear, malice, and envy. He allowed dark thoughts to deprive him of clarity, generosity, love, and commitment. The juxtaposition of the Disciple whom Jesus loved with the Disciple who betrayed Jesus in John 13, enables a reflection on the nature and condition of the human heart. Although both were selected and embraced by Jesus, included among the Disciples, and exposed to the teachings and miracles, they both differed in their regard and love for Jesus. please click here for more information (PDF file)

Resilient: Listening, knowing, and following the Shepherd’s voice. By Mrs. Brenda Dawkins Wednesday May 04, 2022
	Sunday, May 8, 2022, is the 4th in the liturgical Season of Easter, and we continue to celebrate the resurrected Lord, Our Great Shepherd - the Lamb of God. It is also Mother’s Day, and I wish all mothers and those mothering the happiest and most blessed moments with their families. May your children grow up and call you blessed! It is befitting that this weekend we focus on the theme, RESILIENT: LISTENING, KNOWING AND FOLLOWING THE SHEPHERD’S VOICE. This is appropriate for two main reasons. Firstly, listening, knowing, and following commands and directions are what mothers wish their children to do, not only once, but repeatedly. We hear parents saying, “you are not listening”, “I need you to follow my instructions”, “This does not happen in our house —you know who you belong to”. Amid all the expectations and beseeching of children, mothers must remain resilient, pliable, and adaptable (sometimes to the point of nagging---and I am not encouraging nagging). But today there are so many other voices reaching our children’s ears, or should I say ‘noises’ in our society that are competing with us as parents for our children’s attention. Despite our best efforts to repeatedly instruct, guide, or lead by example, our offspring don’t seem to get it. Nevertheless, I wish to encourage us to be resilient, strong and persevere with a hope that one day they will KNOW, LISTEN AND FOLLOW our positive lead. please click here for more information (PDF file)

Resilient: Feed my Lamb by Rev Godfrey Meghoo Wednesday Apr 27, 2022
	Please read John 21:1-19 Would you believe that when small children were brought to the Lord, the twelve disciples objected? When Jesus saw this, He rebuked the apostles, saying,” Let the children come to me, do not forbid them, for they too belong to the Kingdom of God!” Somehow, those men felt that children must be seen and not heard. They thought that children should wait until they become adults. They were misguidedly saying that only adults can become believers. It would be like us saying mistakenly that children should wait until they become adults to go to school or get inoculations. But the Lord says today: For I will receive them, And fold them to my bosom; I’ll be a Shepherd to these lambs: O drive them not away. For, if their hearts to me they give, They shall with me in glory live: Suffer little children to come unto me (William Hutchings). I believe that many of us lovingly called our little child ‘my little lamb’; and when we had our dinner at home, we made sure that the children ate first. We remember the words, “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old, he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6) We teach them by example to give thanks before having a meal. We carefully plan for their education. We go with them when and if they are going off to college. But more than that, we show them by example what a happy family should be. please click here for more information (PDF file)