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UCJCI Update

Page: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 [11-20] [21-28]


Taking A Stand Against Violence Wednesday Apr 21, 2021
	”Speaking alone will not work; we must also be prepared to act.” Recent reports in Jamaica of increasing violence, especially violence against women, were highlighted for action by the newly inducted UCJCI Moderator, Rt. Rev. Gary Harriott, in his first address to the church after induction. “In the Jamaican context, there is a thick cloud of darkness hovering; a dark cloud of violence; gender-based violence; violence against our women and girls and the abuse of our children. There is deeper concern regarding what is happening with some of our boys and men; what’s going on in their minds and heart. There are voices reaching out to the church for help in this crisis and clearly, we are not immune to these troubling realities. We are a people committed to justice and peace, so let us get ready to roll up our sleeves; step into the social murky waters and be God’s agents of hope and transformation; God’s salt and light. He invited the Synod to wear black on Thursday in the week of the Synod and all other Thursdays to join the worldwide movement inspired by the World Council of Churches, dubbed, “Thursdays in Black.” please click here for more information (PDF file)

HISTORIC UCJCI VIRTUAL SYNOD OPENING SERVICE Wednesday Apr 14, 2021
	Sunday April 11, 2021 has taken its place in the annals of The United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands as the day when the first ever virtual Synod Opening Service took place. The pomp and pageantry which normally attend the ceremonial opening of Synod were not evident in the Opening Service on the afternoon of Sunday April 11. However, what was very clear is that God’s presence transcends space and worship in praise, prayer and proclamation of the Word were undeterred by physical distancing. The United Church gathered in the digital space, to God be the glory! The Word was powerfully proclaimed by outgoing Moderator, Rt. Rev. Dr. Gordon Cowans. Using three words as the focus of the sermon, “In Christ Alone”, he stated that when confusion and frustration abound, Jesus says: “I am the way” (John 14:6). When deception, duplicity and fake news abound, Jesus says: “I am the truth”. When death, disease, and destruction abound Jesus says “I am the life”. please click here for more information (PDF file)

Life Has The Final Word-By Rt. Rev. Dr. Gordon Cowans Wednesday Apr 07, 2021
	My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, This Easter message comes to you in a period in which we have experienced at least a year of pandemic conditions. The corona virus has altered so much of life as we know it with much uncertainty, discomfort and illness and for some the spectre of death has been a haunting reality. We grieve with those who grieve the passing of their loved ones and we stand in solidarity with those who currently face significant health challenges, whether caused or exacerbated by the direct or indirect impact of the pandemic. This Easter message is meant to remind us together that at the heart of our faith is the astounding reality of a God who chooses to live in and among people, bearing and experiencing the challenges of human life and who is in every sense acquainted with grief. Jesus knows all about our trials. Our God does not recoil in the face of trouble. Jesus’ life on earth is the seminal example of how to face disaster. With fortitude, He bore the cross and emerged on the other side of death. Yes, emerged victorious! please click here for more information (PDF file)

A RESILIENT CHURCH: Hard-Pressed But Not Crushed Wednesday Mar 31, 2021
	As we approach the 42nd Synod of The United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands (UCJI) it is important for every member of our church to understand the theme—Rooted, Resilient: Responding in H.O.P.E. (Health, Opportunity, Peace and Evangelism). Engagement of the theme will certainly be demonstrated in understanding and action which offer to the wider community witness to the love of God and the invitation to a saving and life-giving relationship with God. In January 2021, UCJCI Update published excerpts from the document, The Road Map, which outlines the theological underpinning of the theme of the 42nd Synod. Here is the full text of the section related to the word, ‘Resilient’. please click here for more information (PDF file)

Gender Based Violence - Recognize and Re- Position by Rev Donovan Myers Wednesday Mar 24, 2021
	My earliest recollection of violence within families is an incident that I observed one Sunday afternoon when I was about nine years old. The commotion caused by the shouting and crying that emanated from my neighbours, alerted others in the community to peek through their windows or congregate on their verandas to get a first-hand view of Terrence and Wanda (not their real names) ‘at it again’. I was just in time to see him pulling her by the arm down the forty-five-degree gravel driveway to the sounds of her pleading with him to let her go. She grabbed on to an overhanging tree limb (about the size of her arm) that gave way to the force of him pulling her. Halfway down the incline he suddenly let go of her, causing her to fall and skate a few feet before coming to a stop. Bruised and crying, she limped away. I couldn’t understand why no one went over to assist her. A few weeks later I overheard two adults saying that they were back together again, and that Wanda had reported that Terrence only hits her because he loves her. please click here for more information (PDF file)

Now Is The Time To Serve Wednesday Mar 17, 2021
	The United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands (UCJCI), as part of the worldwide family of Reformed Churches, subscribes to the ‘priesthood of all believers’. By this, we believe that everyone who embraces salvation through Jesus Christ is automatically enlisted in the service of God. In other words, the mission given to the Church by Jesus Christ is the personal responsibility of each Christian and the collective business of all of the people of God. Every UCJCI member belongs to a local congregation. It is here that our service must begin. Each member is invited to use the abilities, gifts, and other resources entrusted by God to enrich and expand the witness of the congregation to which she or he belongs. The UCJCI is currently making a more concerted effort to assist every member to become more actively involved in the life and witness of the church, beginning but not ending at the level of the local congregation. please click here for more information (PDF file)

MEN ON A MISSION Wednesday Mar 10, 2021
	The United Church Men’s Fellowship (UCMF) is an organisation of men—18 years and over— within the United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands who aspire to live their motto, ‘Serving Together in Christ’s Name’. OBJECTIVES OF THE MEN’S FELLOWSHIP 1.To unite the men who attend the Church to which the UCMF is attached in Christian fellowship and mission; 2.To promote spiritual birth and growth, particularly in relation to men; 3.To foster human development, particularly through spiritual, social, educational, economic and cultural activities; 4.To foster, identify, develop and utilize leadership potential and qualities in men and boys; 5.To assist in the establishment and development of the Boy’s Brigade Company in the Church to which the UCMF is attached; 6.To provide Christian counselling, guidance and support for boys and girls, men and women of the church and community (whether individually or as an organization) in keeping with the paternal role of men; 7.To promote and engage in activities in response to the needs of the church as they arise from time to time; 8.To promote and engage in community service. please click here for more information (PDF file)

THE PATH TO A RESPONSE OF H.O.P.E. Wednesday Mar 03, 2021
	In offering the theme—Rooted, Resilient, Responding in H.O.P.E. (Hope, Opportunity, Peace and Evangelism) the United Church recognizes that the journey to responding in HOPE should be traced back to the beginning of the Renewal and Transformation strategic agenda of UCJCI. The theme paper, ‘The Road Map to the Synodical Theme’ states the following: As a Church we started a process fifteen years ago (2005) of rereading our context and discerning the signs of the time, towards meeting the spiritual (wholistic) needs of the people we serve. This led to the Renewal and Transformation (R&T) Agenda of the United Church. At our Synod in 2009 the R& T agenda was enacted and the process has been one of mixed engagement/s and mixed review/s for the most part, for varying reasons. However, what cannot be denied is, given where we found ourselves 12 years ago, it would have been very unproductive and disheartening to remain there. please click here for more information (PDF file)

MODERATOR LAUNCHES THE 42ND UCJCI SYNOD Thursday Feb 25, 2021
	The 42nd Synod of th United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands was officially launched at the Ash Wednesday Day of Fellowship Worship events. In a video presentation shared in all Regions, the plans for the upcoming Synod were outlined by the UCJCI Moderator, Rt. Rev. Gordon Cowans. The Synod has found us in uncharterd waters. We are holding a Synod amidst a pandemic, requirning us to abide b strict protocols of limitations on the number of persons gathering in a space, physical distancing, wearing of masks, hand sanitizing and minimum physical contact. He continue; "The theme for this Synod is 'Rooted, Resilient: Responding in HOPE', and in this regard HOPE means Health, Opportunity, Peace and Evangelism. The call is to be Rooted,Resilient, and Responding by offering HOPE through health, opportunities,peace and evangelism." please click here for more information (PDF file)

A SHOT IN THE ARM The Case for COVID-19 Vaccine for All Wednesday Feb 17, 2021
	The news that Jamaica, as one of the countries that is part of the Covid-19 Vaccines Global Access (COVAX) facility, is set to receive its first doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine this month is welcome relief. The Government has previously indicated that vaccines would not be available before April 2021, with a target of vaccinating 16% of the population by the end of 2021. Given the widespread nature of COVID-19, its mutation and the exponential rise in cases in Jamaica over the last few weeks, the need for a vaccine is fundamental to bringing the virus under control. This would allow for a reduction in the infection rate and usher in a positive movement towards achieving herd immunity. Beyond The Pulpit - Fasting in a Feasting Culture On this Ash Wednesday, as the Christian Church once again observes the beginning of Lent, a 40-day fast in preparation for Easter, we do so in emulation of Jesus’ fasting in the wilderness before he began his public ministry. Fasting as defined by the Encyclopaedia Britannica is the “abstinence from food or drink or both for health, ritualistic, religious, or ethical purposes”. please click here for more information (PDF file)