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UCJCI Update

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Youth Encounter 2019 Deepens the Faith of Participants Wednesday Oct 30, 2019
	The United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands held our inaugural “Youth Encounter” on Heroes’ weekend, October 18-21, 2019 at Knox Community College Cobbla Campus, Manchester! It was a time in which Youth of our Church, between ages 18 and 25, immersed themselves in the presence of God and enjoyed holistic nurturing, without the rigours of a regular camp programme. LEADERSHIP CORNER -Leadership and the Multi-Hat Challenge Wearing many hats is a predicament faced by most leaders in the middle of the organization. While it’s true that people at every level of an organization have strong demands placed on them, leaders in the middle experience pressures that others don’t. Here’s what I mean: People at the Bottom of An Organization When people are first starting out at the bottom of an organization, they usually perform a limited number of tasks that are assigned to them. Those tasks may be challenging. They may be physically or mentally demanding. They may require great skill. But most of the time, they require only one “hat”. please click here for more information (PDF file)

Elmslie Memorial Family News November 2019 Tuesday Oct 29, 2019
	SERVING AND SOUP by John Epp The Wednesday morning congregation continues to meet for fellowship and worship in the Elmslie Church Hall. Usually 30 people attend each week out of a rota of 60 people. After the worship service, hot soup is served, and later the congregants depart with a modest bag of groceries. Those congregants who do not ‘need’ the groceries are invited to take a bag to pass to a person in need. UCJCI Lay Leadership Training Programme The UCJCI has created a new Lay Leadership Training Programme and the Rev. Norman Francis from Jamaica will be visiting Council from November 1st - 5th to launch the programme in Cayman. The programme will be delivered in three modules and be certified by the International University of the Caribbean. All persons wishing to be trained in the Lay Leadership Programme are invited to attend the meeting to be held on November 2nd, along with the members of Council. Details of the course are available from the Council office. please click here for more information (PDF file)

Moderator’s Official Visit to CIRMC Wednesday Oct 23, 2019
	The Moderator of the United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, the Rt. Rev. Dr. Gordon Cowans, paid his first official visit to the Cayman Islands Regional Mission Council (CIRMC) from October 9 to 16, 2019. This was part of a schedule of ten (10) visits being paid by the Moderator across our four (4) Regions during his two-year term in office. Leadership Corner Leadership and the Ego Challenge “ True heroism is remarkably sober, very undramatic. It is not the urge to surpass all others at whatever cost, but the urge to serve others at whatever the cost,” Arthur Ashe. True leadership is the same. It’s normal for any person to want recognition, and leaders are the same. The fact that leaders in the middle of the pack are often hidden—and as a result they don’t get the credit or recognition they desire and often deserve—can be a real ego buster. The challenge is to be a team player and remain content while contributing. please click here for more information (PDF file)

St. John’s United Church Celebrates 135 Years!! Thursday Oct 17, 2019
	On October 13, 2019, our St. John’s United Church, located in Hannah Town, Kingston, commemorated the tremendous milestone of 135 years of ministry! To God be all the glory! The special service of thanksgiving was attended by not only members of the congregation, but also members of other United Churches, and it was indeed a special event. LEADERSHIP CORNER The Freedom Myth about Leadership Sometimes I think people get the wrong idea about leadership. Many people hope that it’s a ticket to freedom. It will provide a solution to their professional and career problems. But being at the top is not a cure-all. Have you entertained the idea that being in charge will change your life? Have thoughts such as these come to mind from time to time? please click here for more information (PDF file)

Goshen Charge’s Revolving Loan Scheme Boosts Members! Thursday Oct 10, 2019
	For the past two years, the Goshen Charge of United Churches (including Goshen, Welsh, Derry and Woodpark United Churches) in St. Mary has offered a revolving loan scheme to their members to assist in small business ventures. Thus far, ten (10) members of the congregations have each benefitted from the loan ceiling of $10,000, paid to suppliers for agricultural inputs such as animal feed, broiler chicks, and irish potatoes, repayable at the time of harvest and sale. LEADERSHIP CORNER Leadership: The Position Myth If I had to identify the number one misconception people have about leadership, it would be the belief that leadership comes simply from having a position or title. But nothing could be further from the truth. You don’t need to possess a position at the top of your group, department, division, or organization in order to lead. If you think you do, then you have bought into the position myth. A place at the top will not automatically make anyone a leader. The true measure of leadership is influence—nothing more, nothing less. please click here for more information (PDF file)

MODERATOR’S OFFICIAL VISIT TO WRMC Friday Oct 04, 2019
	The Moderator of the United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, the Rt. Rev. Dr. Gordon Cowans, paid his first official visit to the Western Regional Mission Council (WRMC) from September 12 to 15, 2019. This was part of a schedule of ten (10) visits to be paid by the Moderator across our four (4) Regions during his twoyear term in office. LEADERSHIP CORNER What is Different About a Leader? Leaders seek the guidance of God. “A leader never lets adversity get him (her) down—except on his (her) knees.” (Jim Williams) Everyone depends on the leader for answers. “Where do we go next?” “What’s our goal?” “Should we move ahead or wait?” It’s the leader who must make the decisions, sometimes choosing between the greater of two goods or the lesser of two evils. Effective leaders have learnt this secret of leadership: they are not alone. When forced to make tough choices, they seek the counsel of the One greater than themselves. They seek the guidance of God. please click here for more information (PDF file)

Celebrating a Faithful Servant of God Wednesday Sep 25, 2019
	A faithful steward, a notable servant. The late Reverend Dr. Margaret Fowler was celebrated on September 19, 2019 at her thanksgiving service, held at Webster Memorial United Church, for her conscientious service, unheralded devotion, and unquestionable distinction, in honour of the cause of Christ. “Hers was a mission to comfort, to fortify, and to be a tangible expression of hope” were the words of Rev. Norbert Stephens, General Secretary of the UCJCI, in his Synodical Reflection on the life of this stalwart of the faith. LEADERSHIP CORNER Seven Principles of Christian Leadership A pastor described the church as the most leadership-intensive organization in the world. Stephen Grunlan wrote, “Church leaders do not have the authority of military leaders or the financial incentives of the corporate world; they only have leadership skills on which to rely.” Those leadership skills will define whether church leaders—or all Christian leaders, because they have the same values and focus—are successful. please click here for more information (PDF file)

25 CHILDREN SAVED at CIRMC Children’s Camp 2019!! Thursday Sep 19, 2019
	Thirty-three (33) campers in the 8-12 age group from six (6) congregations gathered for the Cayman Islands Regional Mission Council’s Children’s Camp from July 13 to 18, 2019, at Prospect Youth Centre, Grand Cayman! We rejoice with the angels in heaven that twelve (12) of those children made first time commitments and 13 others made recommitments to follow Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. Placed in three (3) “Families”, the campers worshipped, worked, played, fellowshipped and served in mission together during the event. LEADERSHIP CORNER What is Having A Voice If Not To Advocate for Others and Yourself? By Abigail Scarlett Text: Esther 4:1-17 Excerpt: Verses 13-14: “Then Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, ‘Do not think to yourself that in the king’s palace you will escape any more than all the other Jews. For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?’” “ Are you a leader? A young activist? A person with a platform, or in any position at all to help others? The answer should be ‘Yes!’ With or without a high position, we all have a voice, and what is having a voice if not to advocate for others or to speak up for yourself? Know that even in a high position, or in a seemingly safe community, or with wealth, you’re not exempt from misfortunes that the rest of the world faces. Use your advantage for good because ‘who knows whether you have not come into this world for such a time as this?’, to share with others and make great change. please click here for more information (PDF file)

8 PERSONS SAVED AND BAPTIZED AT CIRMC TEENS CAMP 2019!! Wednesday Sep 11, 2019
	Under the theme,“Movin’ Wid De Mishun!”, Teens Camp 2019 was held in the Cayman Islands Regional Mission Council from July 6-11 at Prospect Youth Centre, and eight (8) campers were saved and baptized at the event! The camp was attended by twenty-four (24) teens from four congregations, and was rich with social and missional activities, as well as education and opportunities for spiritual nurture for the 13- 16 years old persons. Leadership Corner The Process of Leadership Development Leadership is like investing. It compounds. Becoming a leader is a lot like investing successfully in the stock market. If your hope is to make a fortune in a day, you’re not going to be successful. There are no successful “day traders” in leadership development. What matters most is what you do day by day over the long haul. Tag Short stated, “The secret of our success is found in our daily agenda.” please click here for more information (PDF file)

Young Adults Empowered at Camp/Conference 2019!! Monday Sep 09, 2019
	With 72 young adults, 21 visitors/presenters and 13 children, the United Church Young Adults Action Movement’s (UCYAAM’s) Camp/ Conference 2019 brought renewal and empowerment for campers! Held from August 15-18 at Madge Saunders Conference Centre, St. Mary, the activities were centred on ministryin the Word, a Call to Ministry as Lay Leaders (with 30 persons indicating their interest in being trained in their local congregations), discussions on building healthy marital and pre-marital relationships, and a careerbuilding session and examination sat by more than 35 persons in Customer Service, administered by HEART Trust/NTA. Leadership Corner: Competence: If You Build It, They Will Come “The society which scorns excellence in plumbing because plumbing is a humble activity, and tolerates shoddiness in philosophy because it is an exalted activity, will have neither good plumbing nor good philosophy. Neither its pipes nor its theories will hold water.” (John Gardner) We all admire people who display high competence, whether they are precision craftsmen, world-class athletes, or successful business leaders. But the truth is that you don’t have to be Bill Gates to excel in the area of competence. If you want to cultivate that quality, here’s what you need to do: please click here for more information (PDF file)