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UCJCI Update

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DEALING WITH DOUBTS AND FEARS Wednesday Sep 23, 2020
	“My sisters and brothers, I think of all that is going on around us, locally and globally; the increased rates of COVID-19 infections and related deaths here in Jamaica; the implications for our health sector; the new restrictions as we try to minimise the spread of the virus; the negative impact the crisis is having on life in community and our economy. LEADERSHIP CORNER -Good Leaders in the Middle Make Better Leaders at the Top In places where the top leaders try to keep everyone else down, the overall leadership is usually pretty poor. Why? Because when all the power is at the top and there are no leaders in the middle to help them, the top leaders cannot lead very effectively. Good leaders anywhere in an organization make better leaders at the top—and make for a much better organization overall. please click here for more information (PDF file)

UCJCI CARE PACKAGES DISTRIBUTION Wednesday Sep 16, 2020
	Through a kind donation from the Presbyterian Church USA (PCUSA) in collaboration with the Caribbean and North America Council for Mission (CANACOM), the United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands (UCJCI) received funds in a COVID-19 response to the needs of the poor and vulnerable, and in particular those who have been dislocated by the ravaging effects of the crisis. LEADERSHIP CORNER -Leading Successfully at One Level Is a Qualifier for Leading at the Next Level Growing organizations are always looking for good people to step up to the next level and lead. How do they find out if a person is qualified to make that jump? By looking at that person’s track record in his or her current position. The key to moving up as an emerging leader is to focus on leading well where you are, not moving up the ladder. If you are a good leader where you are, I believe you will be given an opportunity to lead at a higher level. please click here for more information (PDF file)

GIANTS OF THE CHURCH AND OF THE FAITH Wednesday Sep 09, 2020
	Ivan Adolphus Burnett, went home to be with the Lord on August 30, 2020. Throughout his working career in Jamaica, Ivan worked for many years as a life insurance agent. His entrepreneurial spirit led to his ownership of several businesses. Trevel Burnett, Ivan’s wife of 64 years, predeceased him on August 20, 2020. LEADERSHIP CORNER -5 Ways Churches Would Have Changed One Year From Now I am not prophetic. And if I am prescient, it’s only because I have the incredible vantage point of hearing from tens of thousands of church leaders at churches every year. While it is admittedly difficult to project trends in typical times, it is exceedingly difficult to do so in a time of pandemic headed for, hopefully, a post-quarantine era. Because we hear from so many church leaders and church members, allow me to venture where local churches will be in one year. please click here for more information (PDF file)

UCYAAM E-Conference Inspires, Equips for Service Wednesday Aug 26, 2020
	The inaugural econference of the United Church Young Adults Action Movement (UCYAAM) was held from August 13-16, 2020 via the Zoom platform, and what a stirring and inspiring occasion it was for the UCYAAMers! LEADERSHIP CORNER -Expand Your Circle of Acquaintances It’s always easier to stay within environments where we are comfortable and secure. In fact, that’s what most people do. They avoid change and remain where it’s safe. But you can’t grow and avoid change at the same time. If you want to expand your influence, you have to expand your circle of acquaintances. please click here for more information (PDF file)

Stewardship and the Disciple Wednesday Aug 19, 2020
	“For me, it is a beautiful thought that we have the opportunity to be disciples of, and stewards for, the creator and owner of this earth. Psalm 24:1 reminds us of that: “The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.” LEADERSHIP CORNER - The Leader’s Daily Dozen (Part 3) If you’re willing to work at making your organization a place where leaders lead and do it well, you’ll need to shift your focus from leading the people, finding leaders, developing leaders, empowering the leaders while they lead the organization, to serving the leaders as they lead the organization. If you’re ready to revolutionize your organization, then start the process by adopting what I call the “Leader’s Daily Dozen”. Every morning when you get up and get ready to lead your organization, make a commitment to these powerunleashing activities. please click here for more information (PDF file)

The Value of Giving Wednesday Aug 12, 2020
	“ For many people, giving represents an appeal to altruistic feelings. We give because it’s the human thing to do. If others are in need, our duty is to ‘help out’ where we can. But also, many see giving as a necessary outpouring of their excess. “I have more than I need, so I should share.” While those two motivations might be reasonable, the letter from Paul to the Corinthians (2 Corinthians 8:1-15) speaks about giving in a way that challenges some commonly held assumptions. LEADERSHIP CORNER- The Leader’s Daily Dozen (Part 2) (This article continues from last week’s Issue of the UCJCI Update.) If you’re willing to work at making your organization a place where leaders lead and do it well, you’ll need to shift your focus from leading the people, finding leaders, developing leaders, empowering the leaders while they lead the organization, to serving the leaders as they lead the organization. please click here for more information (PDF file)

Webster Memorial Says “Thanks” to the Champions of the COVID-19 Pandemic Wednesday Aug 05, 2020
	On July 19, 2020,Webster Memorial United Church ( Kingston,Jamaica) commemorated a day to affirm and thank the first responders to the COVID19 pandemic, those they regarded as, “The Healers of the Nation”. LEADERSHIP CORNER- The Leader’s Daily Dozen (Part 1) If you’re willing to work at making your organization a place where leaders lead and do it well, you’ll need to shift your focus from leading the people, finding leaders, developing leaders, empowering the leaders while they lead the organization, to serving the leaders as they lead the organization. please click here for more information (PDF file)

A Righteous “Root” is Celebrated! Wednesday Jul 29, 2020
	A righteous “root” and a passionate “plant” from God’s vineyard, the life and ministry of the Honourable Rev. Ashley Alexander Smith, OJ, CD, JP was celebrated on July 24, 2020 by the United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands. LEADERSHIP CORNER -Be Better Tomorrow Than You Are Today I’ve met a lot of people who have destination disease. They think that they have “arrived” by obtaining a specific position or getting to a certain level in an organization. When they get to that desired place, they stop striving to grow or improve. What a waste of potential! please click here for more information (PDF file)

Reaping What We Sow Wednesday Jul 22, 2020
	'We reap what we sow'. Most of us have heard this saying from ‘our eyes were at our knees,’ from our parents, guardians, teachers and the like when we deviated or not from the acceptable path outlined by the bible. Yet, given our knowledge and experiences since then, can we truly say that the saying holds for all people? Is it a truism for this life or the life to come? What have we sown to produce the COVID-19 pandemic? LEADERSHIP CORNER -Know When to Push and When to Back Off Timing is critically important to leadership. To be successful, you have to know when to push and when to back off. It’s wise to wait for the right moment to speak up. A great idea at the wrong time will be received just the same as a bad idea. Of course, there are times when you must speak up, even if the timing doesn’t seem ideal. The trick is knowing which is which. please click here for more information (PDF file)

Our Responsibility as Stewards Wednesday Jul 15, 2020
	The United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, during this, the third Quarter of the year, will be focusing o n t h e t h e m e ,“Stewardship and the Disciple.” And if I were to ask what is stewardship, the first thing that would probably come to mind is, “Tithes and Offerings”. Yes, returning our tithes and offerings is part of our stewardship responsibility, but I want to suggest that the stewardship concern goes way beyond tithes and offerings. LEADERSHIP CORNER -See Everyone As a “10” Who is your favourite teacher of all time? What made that teacher different? Was it subject knowledge? Was it teaching technique? Though your teacher may have possessed great knowledge and mastered outstanding technique, I’m willing to bet that what separated that teacher from all of the others was his or her belief in you. That teacher probably saw you as a 10. please click here for more information (PDF file)