United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands

CIRMC Weekly

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Rooted and Reconciled by Mr Bryan Bothwell

Wednesday Mar 23, 2022
 
Please read Psalm 32:1–5
The theme for us to consider under the mind-opening guidance
of the Holy Spirit is “Rooted and Reconciled”. That is, rooted
in Christ and - in Christ - reconciled to God, by the redeeming
grace of God through the Crucified and Risen Christ. An act of
such magnitude that, unfortunately, too many people still take
it as, literally, “incredible”, and view the enormity of its
transformative power as, literally, “unbelievable”.
Therefore, while contemplating the Scriptures, I was saddened
anew by two recent contentions that Cayman’s Christian
Heritage was one thing that stymied the development of our
young people. When these were published, I had felt a real
sense of anguish that no one had been able to help these two
young people find and hold fast to the words of Jesus Himself,
“you must follow Me” – not anyone else [John 21: 22]. The call
of Christ to the individual is to follow Christ alone. And there
is no way that committed to and following Christ, genuinely
endeavoring to live as He lived, in caring concern for other
people in all circumstances, and in loving obedience to God,
can stymie the true development of anyone. 

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Rooted and Equipped to Stand in God’s Divine Presence-by Mrs Sonia Wallace

Wednesday Mar 16, 2022
 
These days, when world news awakens fear and trepidation for
the future, how will you withstand this creeping fear that
pervades our every plan? Whether they be plans to travel, study,
do business, or provide for your family, what do you hold to as
a strong root for stability and assurance when fear and concern
occupy your thoughts and emotions?
I invite you to read Exodus 3:1-15 and other passages as we
seek answers to these questions from the Word of God. The
answers will come from these main points
1. The Place of Prayer
2. The Plan of God
3. The Posture of Worship.

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Service of De-Linking, Linking and Induction of Minister

Wednesday Mar 09, 2022
 
On Sunday, March 6, 2022, at 4:00 pm, members of the
Webster Memorial, East End, Gun Bay and William Pouchie
United Churches gathered in North Side, along with members
of Council for a Service of De-Linking, Linking and Induction
of their Minister Rev. Rohan Forrester.
Lay Pastor Mr Ormond Williams, Liturgist of the Service led
the Congregation in Worship and prayer. 
A brief history of the Congregations was presented by Mrs
Vernie Harris (Gun Bay United), Mrs Marge Quinland (East
End United) and Mrs Shari Welcome (William Pouchie
Memorial)

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Lead Us Not Into Temptation But Deliver Us From Evil - by Mr Michael Bowerman

Wednesday Mar 02, 2022
 
Please read Matthew 4:1-11 and Luke 4:1-13)
One reality that everyone faces is the evil in the world and the
resulting hardships of life. Christians are not immune to them.
Scripture tells us over and over about the conflicts, the
struggles, the challenges we will encounter. We are warned by
Jesus and the New Testament writers that living as Christians
in this world is spiritual warfare. Paul, for example, tells us that
“our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the
rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of
this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the
heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12). Peter tells us that there is a
devil out there who is our great enemy, prowling around like a
lion “looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 1:8).
We live in a fallen world. As Christians, there is often the
temptation to give in to it, to take a shortcut, to compromise.
Not only are there these pressures from the world, but we have
fallen, sinful natures, too, and further, our enemy, the devil is
alive and well.

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The Transfiguration by Rev. Dr Yvette Noble- Bloomfield

Wednesday Feb 23, 2022
 
Please read Luke 9:28-36, [37-43a]
In this passage, we read of God’s affirming presence and voice
as Jesus entered the final phase of His life on earth. The
affirmation of Jesus as the chosen Son of God, deserving of our
attention can be heard in the words, “This is my Son, my
Chosen; listen to him!"
This same voice of God affirmed Jesus at His Baptism. The
Baptism marked the beginning of His ministry, and the words
were almost similar, "This is my beloved Son in whom I am
well pleased" (Matthew 3:17.)
The glory of God at the Baptism descended in the form of the
dove, alighting on the shoulder of Jesus. It was witnessed by
John the Baptizer and those who gathered to hear his preaching.
At the Transfiguration, Jesus was glorified. His entire being
appeared to have undergone a metamorphosis, which resulted
in the change of His face and his clothes became dazzling white.
Indeed, this glorification provided further proof that Jesus was
the Son of God, and the inner circle of Disciples, as sleepy as
they were, became the witnesses of the Christophany.

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Charge Realignment and the Sustainability of the Ministry and Mission in the CIRMC

Wednesday Feb 16, 2022
 
Theological and Ecclesiological Rationale
Our Reformed ethos constantly calls us to discern the direction
of the Church under the guidance of the Holy Spirit for the sake
of ministry and mission.
At the 42nd Synod to the United Church in Jamaica and the
Cayman Islands, held in April 2021, Regional Mission Councils
accepted the mandate to examine the Charge alignments and the
effectiveness of ministry and mission.
Strategic Direction for Mission in the Region
In the last five years, there was minimal growth in the
membership of some of our Congregations. While three of the
nine Congregations were experiencing dynamic growth, the
others were either stagnant or in decline, the latter being due in
part to the constant change in personnel between 2015 to 2020.

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Rooted in Christ and Called to Flourish and Bear Fruit

Wednesday Feb 09, 2022
 
The reading from Psalm 1, is a powerful analogy and reminder
of the need to be rooted and grounded in a fertile and well-watered place to flourish and bear fruit.
It is said that the Book of Psalms contains instruction and
information for the whole of human life. The Psalmist clearly
understood the complexities of human nature and the need for
divine presence and the blessed assurance of grace and pardon.
The Psalms provide the basic guidelines for our spiritual
conduct, our relationship with God and others, our relationship
with nature and they also provide solace and consolation for the
darkest hours of human existence. 

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Called for a Closer Walk by Rev Otto Menko

Thursday Feb 03, 2022
 
Please read Isaiah 6:1-8 (Isaiah’s vision and call) and
Luke 5:1-11 (The miraculous catch of fish)

According to the liturgical calendar of the Church, we are
halfway through the Season of Epiphany. One of the meanings
of the word epiphany is ‘manifestation’ or ‘appearance’. This
meaning is clearly expressed through the presentation of the
newborn Jesus as the Savior to both Jews (represented by the
shepherds) and to the Gentiles (represented by the Magi) in the
nativity narrative.
But Epiphany has another meaning, too. Epiphany is also an
experience of a sudden and striking realization. We may be
familiar with what is known in psychology as an ‘Aha! moment,
when we unexpectedly realize or fully comprehend something.
However, having an epiphany is more profound and much
deeper. Our lectionary readings touch upon this aspect of
Epiphany.

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Rooted and Called to Respond without Fear by Pastor Ormond Williams

Wednesday Jan 26, 2022
 
Please read Jeremiah 1:4-10
The call of Jeremiah to be a prophet to the Southern Kingdom
of Judah occurred at a time in his life when he was still of
youthful years. Some researchers believe that Jeremiah was
either a teenager or in his early twenties when God called him.
Jeremiah himself confessed that he was young, without
knowledge of what to speak to Judah.
The message to Judah was a warning of impending captivity by
the Babylonians because Judah had been disobedient to God.
They had been warned to be faithful to God with a loyalty that
was singular and not shared with other gods. They were to teach
their children about the faithfulness and goodness of God. They
were to live in such a righteous manner that their lives will be
the perfect example for other nations to emulate. In all these
requirements from God, Judah failed to be the people God
demanded them to be.
Their hard hearts and stiff necks were ripe for the balm of
forgiveness from their loving God. They were heading
steadfastly to 70 years of Babylonian slavery, but the people of
Judah remained blinkered against God’s demands to move in
the right direction

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Rooted and Anointed by Mrs Katherine Jackson

Wednesday Jan 19, 2022
 
I invite you to reflect with me on the theme, “Rooted and
Anointed”, with our scriptural focus coming from Luke 4: 14-
21.
‘Rooted’ is a great word to associate with the Christian faith,
and I believe that each one of us at some point in time must take
some time to reflect on our standing in the faith. Where are we?
Are we still on the edge of the pool or are we enjoying the deep
fellowship and relationship with our Jesus in the middle of the
pool? Are we still on the surface or are we digging deeper into
this relationship? We must know where we are!
I grew up on Elizabeth Street in West Bay in the days when
every home had a white sand yard and every Saturday you could
see the ladies of the homes brushing their yards with a new
rosemary broom. What a beautiful sight – and no one dared to
walk through that yard after she was finished – not even dog
tracks were allowed! That yard was ready for Sunday!
However, every other week or so, Mama would tell me early on
Saturday morning, or maybe even on Friday evening, that I had
to come out with her and help to pull up the weeds that had
sprung up – that was called “pulling bush” and I loved it
because you got to be outside in the sunshine and cool breeze
and work along with your mother. I truly didn’t like to be in the
house that much!

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United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands