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UCJCI Update

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UCJCI Works In Partnership Wednesday Jun 09, 2021
	UCJCI works in partnership as we participate in God’s mission in this world. Human beings were created for community and there is much common cause and concern between organisations, churches, countries and communities. Pooled resources — people, ideas, finances and other materials — can accomplish more exponentially than unilateral action. Over the next few weeks Update will feature some of the partnerships in which UCJCI participates. In this issue, the focus is on CANACOM. please click here for more information (PDF file)

Ministry With Children- The Sequel Wednesday Jun 02, 2021
	Uniformed Groups—Girls’ and Boys’ Brigade Girls' Brigade Cayman Islands Girls’ Brigade in the Cayman Islands Regional Mission Council has been active for 74 years and offers girls a safe, secure environment, which is supervised by adult leaders who lead within a Christian framework. This international, interdenominational Christian youth organization holds the aim ‘to help girls to become followers of the Lord Jesus Christ and through self-control, reverence and a sense of responsibility to find true enrichment of life.’ There are five companies operating in the congregations of the UCJCI in the Cayman Islands. Similar to the international movement, the programme of GB in Cayman focuses on the development of girls spiritually, physically, socially and educationally and, is designed to be challenging, interactive, relevant and exciting. The Boys' Brigade- Jamaica At a time when criminal and in other ways dysfunctional activities of males have been in the news, there has also been much discussion about interventions which will aid in the nurture of boys into honourable men. The Boys’ Brigade is a movement which provides opportunities for children and young people to learn, grow and discover in a safe, fun and caring environment rooted in the Christian faith. The movement’s partnership with churches to engage generations of children and young people with messages of hope rooted in Jesus is deliberate and one which UCJCI has taken seriously for many years. please click here for more information (PDF file)

Ministry With Children Wednesday May 26, 2021
	Uniformed groups are a part of UCJCI’s ministry with children. The Girls’ and Boys’ Brigades are both international non-denominational organisations with companies located within some UCJCI congregations. In this issue Update features the Girls’ Brigade in Jamaica. UCJCI Company, the first outside of Europe Girls’ Brigade—Girls Lives Transformed, God’s World Enriched. Founded in 1893 in Ireland by Margaret Lyttle, Girls’ Brigade is described as ‘a relational, relevant and responsive worldwide movement focused on working amongst girls and women’. The empowerment of girls, children and young women is the goal and they are encouraged to ‘be themselves, to develop and use their gifts and skills and to discover what it means to have life in full in their generation’. https://gbworldwide.org/) The first company formed outside of Europe was at Brownsville Presbyterian (now United) Church in 1923. The organization was actually Girl’s Guildry as the movement was named in Scotland. The company in Jamaica was founded by Mrs. Brooks, wife of the Rev. Phillip Brooks, a Scottish Minister who came to Jamaica to work . In 1949 the Rev. Madge Saunders (then Miss Madge Saunders) returned to Jamaica from the United Kingdom and took over the Girls Guildry in Jamaica as Organizing Training Officer. International Vice-President for Caribbean and the Americas, Quindell Ferguson, member of St. Andrew’s Scots Kirk, recalls learning mottos, doing Bible study, drilling, playing games as she went up the ranks. She started the 6th Kingston company at Scots Kirk. please click here for more information (PDF file)

A Ministry of Healing-UCJCI Children's Homes Wednesday May 19, 2021
	For 99 years, UCJCI has been providing shelter, protection, spiritual and physical nurture and socialization for children who are wards of the State. UCJCI operates two Children’s Homes—the Mount Olivet Boys’ Home in Manchester, and the Pringle Home for Girls in St. Mary. Pringle Home for Girls is a grand lady of 99 years, established by Rev. and Mrs. James Mc Nee and their daughter Kathie. Money to construct the building was donated by the then Custos, Dr. John Pringle, hence the name of the Home. Mount Olivet Boys’ Home is of younger vintage at 54 years old and between both institutions 65 children are currently embraced in UCJCI’s arms of ministry with children. According to Jeanette Rose Bryan, Director, Pringle Home, “Sometimes families are unable to function effectively and sometimes the development of the children is affected negatively. When this happens, the Child Protection and Family Services Agency intervenes. There is a legal process through the courts that determines the outcome of each case. Our children come to us through this system as Children in Need of Care and Protection.” please click here for more information (PDF file)

Spotlight on Church School Ministry Wednesday May 12, 2021
	Perhaps the most familiar expression of ministry with children for most persons is Sunday School. During this time the Christian education and nurture of children take place either while the worship service is attended by the adults or in the afternoon on a Sunday. Many Jamaicans and Caymanians were sent to Sunday School even if parents did not go. This means of engaging children remains at the heart of children’s ministry in the United Church. Although the name transitioned to ‘Church’ School instead of ‘Sunday’ School the purpose is the same—nurturing the church in the Christian faith, especially the children. UNITED CHURCH STRATEGIC PRIORITIES 2021 What has the United Church targeted for action in 2021 arising from the 42nd Synod? Synodical priorities are the areas of focus which have been identified from the leading of the Holy Spirit through reflection on the reports tendered at the Pre-Synod Consultations in regions, the deliberations in groups and plenary during Synod, discerned through worship, prayer, bible study and sermon challenges during the week of Synod, all impacted by the contextual realities of Cayman, Jamaica and the wider world. please click here for more information (PDF file)

Keeping Children Safe Wednesday May 05, 2021
	The United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands launched a Child Care and Protection Policy in May 2016. The policy establishes basic provisions for the protection and safety of children — infants, children up to 12 years of age and young persons, (‘teenagers’) under the age of 18— who are under the care and responsibility of the United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands. Scope The Child Protection Policy takes into account the need for directives surrounding the general safety and care-giving of children as well as physical and interpersonal conduct within the church: on its grounds, within its congregations and in all church-related activities including church services, Sunday or Church School, summer camps and church excursions. please click here for more information (PDF file)

Our Ministries With Children Wednesday Apr 28, 2021
	‘But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.” ‘ (Matthew 19:14) The United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands (UCJCI) values the presence and participation of children in the life of the church and recognizes that ministry with children is vital to the advancement of the kingdom of God. UCJCI ministries are therefore targeted towards the nurture of children and involves meeting their needs in ways that are age specific. UCJCI is committed to facilitating tangible means of helping children to have a personal knowledge of the Lord Jesus and to understand and implement the principles of Christian living in their lives. As part of the body of Christ our heart’s desire for our children is for them to have a love and passion for the Jesus Christ and a love that overflows into a love for humankind. please click here for more information (PDF file)

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)