Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body. – 1 Corinthians 6: 19 to 20.
Once again, I must say thanks to my friend Mrs Eleanor Brathwaite, principal of St Matthew’s Primary School, for inviting me to the school’s graduation.
During her report, she took time out to deal with many of the problems facing our country today so I decided to share some of what she said with wider Barbados.
In focusing her attention on the parents, she said: “I need for you to pause for one moment and ask yourself if you have been the best parent you could have been to your child? I don’t mean to ask if you have given him all the material things he wanted; I mean for you to search yourself [on] whether you have given him all the training that he needed up to this point.
“These your children need: your care, your good advice, your wise counsel, they need you. I beg you to be there for them, not just to take them to the clinic, send them to school or to provide them with the things of this materialistic world, but to provide them with the love needed.
“Keep them off the streets unsupervised, find out who their friends are and get acquainted with them. Be careful where you let them go, at whom and with whom.
“Parents, go to town with them and help them to choose their clothing, especially the girls. Stop allowing your daughters to walk the street half naked and you need to lead by example. A woman has a beautiful body which she must treat like a temple of the Lord. See that your daughter does that. “See to it that your sons are properly attired each time they leave your house, not with their pants half-way down their legs.
“Remember, your children are watching and listening and they will take your example, add their own flair to it and come up with their own, which sometimes is not at all good. Beware of the things you say and do in front of them, especially with the language you use.”
Death notice
It is with great regret that we learnt of the death of Mrs Eustene Dash, of Massiah Street, St John.
Dash, a member of St John’s Parish Church, was a former president of the Women’s Auxiliary and former principal of St George Primary School.
I express deepest sympathy to her husband, children and relatives. May she rest in Jesus Christ and rise in glory.
Funeral service
The funeral service for Canon Lloyd Clarke, who died on July 6, will be held on Tuesday at 10 a.m. at the Cathedral Of St Michael And All Angels, followed by the interment at Westbury Cemetery.
Clarke was ordained deacon in 1955 and priest in 1956. He served as (vicar) rector of St Anne’s Anglican Church from 1959 to 1991.
Festival continues
St Swithun’s Church continues its patronal festival today with home visits in the neighbourhood. Holy Eucharist takes place on Sunday at 10:15 a.m. The preacher will be Rev. Keith Griffith, priest in charge. Evensong will be held later that day at 6 p.m. with the youth in attendance. The preacher will be Rev. George Harewood.
St James festival
St James’ Anglican Church will celebrate its patronal festival from Sunday. The activities for the week are as follows:
• Sunday – Solemn Evensong at 6 p.m. The preacher will be Rev. Dr Ian Rock, principal of Codrington College.
• Tuesday – Solemn Evensong, Sermon and Procession at 7:30 p.m. Preacher: Rev. Angela Phillips.
• Wednesday – Procession, Sung Holy Eucharist and Sermon at 7:30 p.m. Preacher: Rev. Jeffrey Gibson.
• Friday – 9 a.m. educational tour to St Paul’s, St Matthias’ and St Matthew’s Anglican churches and Sharon Moravian Church followed by fun and games at the Church of Jesus the Good Shepherd. The cost for adults is $15 and those attending are asked to bring a packed lunch.
Health fair
The St Philip-The-Less Anglican Church, Boscobel, St Peter, will hold a health fair and harvest mart tomorrow at the Edna Nicholls Centre from 11 a.m. There will be blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar testing.
Anniversary
The 152nd anniversary service marking the dedication of St Martin’s Anglican Church, St Martin’s, St Philip, will take place on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. The guest preacher will be Rev. Dr Von Watson.