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UCJCI Update
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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 [11-20] [21-30] 
Ebenezer Primary and Infant School – a beacon of excellence by Sheree O’Connor, Programme Secretary, SRMC
Wednesday Jun 22, 2022
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 Brilliance and resilience permeate the Ebenezer Primary and Infant School in Manchester, despite challenges encountered. Though some students are disadvantaged due to lack of exposure and lack of resources, Ebenezer Primary and Infant School sees excellent performance amongst its students with them working at various levels. They tend to do well in Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) Competition, participate in the ALPART Safety Quiz and recently saw one student representing the parish at a Jamaica Teachers’ Association meet earlier this month. Among the recent accomplishments, is that of Francine Samuels, a grade 6 student at the institution, who has been placed third in the parish in the Lay Magistrate’s Association of Jamaica’s (LMAJ) essay competition. The competition is one of the social programmes initiated by the LMAJ with this year’s focus being on how students have coped during the pandemic. Francine is noted to have an excellent attitude to work, which makes her an exceptional student. Her essay will now be judged against those from other parishes. please click here for more information (PDF file) |
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The father-daughter affair by Miss Jonielle Daley, Communication and Information Technology Coordinator.
Wednesday Jun 15, 2022
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 I'm seeing my dad today for the first time in two years... I think. I don't even remember exactly. It could actually be three years but I am too excited to even stop and do the math. My daddy is coming for Christmas. I mentioned this to someone yesterday and they asked me if we have a great relationship and I said yes, then paused to assess my answer. That pause brought me in a circle for a good minute but I still arrived at yes. I am a barrel child, which I believe is self-explanatory. For those who don't know, that means my parents live (d) abroad. I never actually lived with any of my parents until I was about eight years old. I did that math and I am shocked. I thought I was much older than that when it finally happened. Now I think I have to set aside some time to reflect on that because it would then mean that I have so many memories and experiences before eight. Wow! In this issue… The father-daughter affair - pages 1-2 The Introduction of The Partners in Mission in SRMC - page 3 Harvest in Falmouth - page 3 Prayer Corner - page 5 Liturgy for At Home Worship - page 6 Notices - page 7 please click here for more information (PDF file) |
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Are You Sensing A Call to Ministry? by Rev. Henley Bernard, Director of Ministerial Formation
Wednesday Jun 08, 2022
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 From the earliest times, the observance of the Feast of Pentecost has been of special significance in the life of the Christian community. It has since served as a persistent reminder of the fulfilment of God’s promise issued through the Prophet Joel, “And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. 29 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days. Joel 2:28-29 In many respects, it is because of this fulfilment at Pentecost, immediately following the resurrection of Jesus, that the earliest Christians demonstrated the required confidence to witness the life-changing experience resulting from being in the company of Jesus. Their actions, emanating from this newly found confidence, served to ignite and propel the spread of this Good News (Gospel) beyond Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and, indeed, unto the farthest reaches of the earth. please click here for more information (PDF file) |
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THE ISSUE OF DOUBT by Rev. Nobert Stephens, General Secretary, UCJCI
Wednesday Jun 01, 2022
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 Fundamentally, to have doubts is to be caught between two seemingly opposing forces. It is possible for doubts and fears to co-exist within us – Mark 9: 20-4. • Do we not sometimes have doubts about God and God’s role in our life and our world? • Can we conclusively say that God is in charge? • Do we believe everything we hear in church about God and faith? • Does science and technology not contradict some of the core beliefs of faith and the church? All of us have doubts. Those who claim they don’t have what Charles Swindol calls, unquestioned answers. Some characteristics of doubting: 1. When we doubt, our minds are at work. Thinking as you know can be dangerous. It often gets us into trouble with others. Doubting is when there is a tension between our intellect and our beliefs: • In the face of calamity and grief • Unanswered prayers or opposite answers • When we live right and suffer miserably for it • When what we are taught and what seems natural cannot be easily reconciled Using Thomas’ encounters with Jesus in the book of John (11:16; 14: 1-5; 20: 24-29) here are some other truths about doubting. 2. When we doubt, we often do it alone – in solitude and seclusion – Thomas was not with the rest of the Disciples in chapter 20. please click here for more information (PDF file) |
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OVERCOMING VIOLENCE IN SCHOOLS THROUGH PEACEBUILDING RESILIENCY IN CHILDREN
Wednesday May 25, 2022
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 The International University of the Caribbean, with the launch of it’s Peace Institute and Extended Learning Centre, recognizes that crime and violence in the Jamaican society has been at an unacceptable level for many decades. Violence has increasingly become a feature of school life for many Jamaican students, especially those in high school. A study by Soyibo and Lee (2000), done among high school students, found that 60.8% of students had witnessed violence at school and 29% had caused injury. The conclusion of this study was that “effective programmes are urgently needed to address the high rate of violence recorded in this study among high school youths in Jamaica.” The IUC Peace Institute has entered into a strategic partnership with the Child Resiliency Programme and the Violence Prevention Alliance that gives focused attention to adolescence from schools within the inner-city community of Boy’s Town, Kingston. This programme has been operating since 2006 when it started at the Hope United Church reaching out to children at risk in schools within the Papine and Hope communities please click here for more information (PDF file) |
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“Listen Up, Children's Voices Matter” Conversation Starters from The Visual and Performing Arts Department
Wednesday May 18, 2022
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 May being child’s month, the creative ministry has owned the national children’s theme and is mirroring its work around it. Pieces like I Have No Words- highlight the Secret Gardens Monument in downtown Kingston and introduce us to listen to the voices of some of our children whose conversation had an abrupt end when they were killed. Viewers will see a man leaving while a female enters to look at the monument which has run out of space for the new names to be added. They will hear the voice of a young dead girl speaking, which is perhaps the memory of the woman, who sighed before walking away with her hand on her head. There will be a follow up with the lady in the form of a conversation, where she will talk about her experience. please click here for more information (PDF file) |
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From Farm to Table at Mount Olivet Boys’ Home -Sheree O'connor Programme Secretary, SRMC
Wednesday May 11, 2022
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 Since 2018, the Mount Olivet Boys’ Home in Manchester has been on a mission to provide quality tea leaves. The project began with conversation with the leadership of Jamaica Information Service, Mr Norman Wright, CEO of Perishables Jamaica Limited and Mr. Patrick Newman, Director of the Mount Olivet Boys Home (MOBH). A demand for tea was noted and created an income generating opportunity for the home. One hundred (100) tea plants were donated to start the project. These included Peppermint, Neem and Rosemary. Additional Peppermint plants have since been added to the project. The home received assistance and training in caring for the plants and the proper way to reap in order to provide leaves of optimal quality. After harvesting the leaves, they are dried and sold to Perishables Jamaica Limited, manufacturers of Tops and Sipacupa tea brands. The harvest a few months ago generated $59,000 in revenue, with another harvest to take place in the next couple of months. please click here for more information (PDF file) |
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Blessed with many Mothers -by a member from the SRMC
Wednesday May 04, 2022
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 Last week I read that article about “What’s on the menu- Feed my Sheep”, and nodded my head in agreement with the points that were made. However, my nodding came to a contemplative halt when somehow, I recognized that a woman’s role was silently pronounced in that piece, at least to my understanding. I saw woman as mother, homemaker, nurturer, teacher, Sunday school teacher, and church aunts. It made me consider what my relationship with women is like. The thing is, my mother was not there to feed me. This is always a delicate topic because people tend to get riled up when we mention fathers on Mother’s Day, but that is just some people’s reality. It’s mine, he is the parent that has been present. please click here for more information (PDF file) |
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What’s on the menu? -Feed My Sheep
Wednesday Apr 27, 2022
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 Do you remember learning that song by the name of “Watch Your Eyes” in Sunday school? It tells us to watch our eyes, ears, lips, hands, feet “for there is a Father up above looking down in tender love.” The duty of the adult child does not stop when the little ones memorize the lyrics of this song, for the same instruments that they will remember to watch are fixed on the teacher, even before then. The home is the first place of socialization and parents are the first teachers whether they choose to be or not. With that we consider what’s on the menu. What are you serving? The early stages of development are of utmost importance. Ever stopped to wonder how a child is so compelled to try to learn how to walk or even how they know what to do in their attempt to? What about talking, or using a fork, or a phone? They saw or heard someone and they eventually got it and remembered with practice. That is, them repeatedly attempting and you repeatedly doing, saying, going etc. please click here for more information (PDF file) |
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A Safe Place to Explore your Faith: Connect to everything God has for your life
Wednesday Apr 20, 2022
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 Covid-19 caused "church" as we know it to be disrupted on one hand and transformed on the other. When curfews were imposed, we had to discover new methods to engage ourselves as Christian youths. Prior to Covid-19, youth attendance at various events was strong, but the pandemic allowed formation to a virtual youth fellowship. This was fantastic for inter-fellowshipping, but it also meant that our youths with restricted internet connection were left out. Early in the pandemic, the church suspended in-person worship, but it wasn't long before members began to miss their church family, particularly youth meetings and, most importantly, the annual Sports Day, which we usually plan months in advance. However, despite the physical closure of churches during the time allotted, the need for spiritual care persisted; we thank God that the time has come for us to return to the physical church as physical limitations harmed not just our teens but also our children. please click here for more information (PDF file) |
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