But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as refuse, in order that I may gain Christ. – Philippians 3: 7 and 8
IF YOU are an Anglican and were not at the Annual Diocesan Service which was held at the Gymnasium of the Garfield Sobers Complex last Sunday then you would have missed a very uplifting service.
The sermon was preached by Robert Thompson, Suffragan Bishop of Kingston, Jamaica, Diocese of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands. Thompson challenged the church to be a model of change.
The theme for the service was Being A Beacon Of Christ’s Presence In The Community.
What I found rather interesting about the service was that for a service which began at 10 a.m. and finished after 1 p.m., persons did not complain about time!
I must thank Den Den who behaved just like the mother of the little boy in the gospel who packed a lunch bag for him – the one Jesus used to feed the 4000 and she did just that for me.
I really enjoyed myself and was moved by the Trinity Steel Orchestra, the Barbados Defence Force Band, the Diocesan Choir and the Diocesan Youth Chorale who gave some very nice renditions and of course the Diocesan Liturgical Dancers. Praise must also be given to the younger Jamal Slocombe from the St Philip-the-Less who rendered a solo – All To Jesus I Surrender, without a script – and the youngster who did a poem in a dramatic way.
During the service The Most Rev Dr John Holder, Bishop of Barbados and Archbishop of the West Indies used the occasion to launch the Strategic Plan.
I do hope as Anglicans that we will rededicate and recommit ourselves to our baptismal vows and continue to fight against all evil forces and be faithful and devoted stewards to the end of our lives.
