I will thank the Lord for giving me warning: my reins also chasten me in the night-season. I have set God always before me: for he is on my right hand, therefore I shall not fall. – Psalm 16: 8-9
I AM NOT A SCIENTIST, doctor, nurse or any health official. I am not Mavis Beckles, who has an opinion on everything. All I am is a simple parish priest and a preacher.
But I am forced to share my experience on the recent rumour that has made its rounds blaming the number of sudden deaths on the new meters installed by the Barbados Water Authority (BWA) to many households.
I do not think the meters are responsible for such deaths. For I can remember the water working as it was now, connected to the pipeline from the main, which is from the centre of the road.
The workmen used lead and the lead pit used was to melt the lead which was used to connect the pipe. If lead killed then, then thousands of citizens would have died. By the way, I do not drink bottled water, I have been drinking tap water all my life.
People must stop spreading such rumours, especially about water, because it is too vital a commodity that is used by all and in all areas in life.
Why would someone link the sudden deaths to the meters? We just do not know the cause or causes of the deaths. We must leave it to the health professionals to do their work. We just have to wait upon the autopsies. As long as there is life, there will be death! People have always been dying in Barbados, but it was not reported. These days it is brought into the public because of social media.
The Acting Chief Medical Officer, Dr Kenneth George, has given some very vital information about the 24 people who collapsed and died during the period January to June 16, this year (21 died during the corresponding period last year). He urged people to get their medical checks and live healthier lives. I do agree with the doctor because I do not believe in something called sudden death because the signs are there, but we ignore them. The warnings are always there!
Patronal Festival
The St Swithun’s Anglican Church will observe its Patronal Festival from Sunday, July 10, to Sunday, July 17. Feast night will be on Friday, July 15, at 7 o’clock. The preacher will be the Reverend Kim Welch-Taylor.
Rally
The St John Church Army will hold a rally on Sunday, July 10, on the church grounds at 4 p.m. The youth groups are invited.
Luncheon
The St Lucy Parish Church will hold its annual luncheon on Sunday, July 10, at the Coleridge and Parry School. Lunch will be served from 12:30 p.m.
Concerts
The members of the St Barnabas Church Army will hold a concert on Sunday, at 4 p.m. at the St Barnabas Church, Chapel Gap, St Michael.
The St Philip Moravian Fellowship’s annual gospel concert, entitled Praise Ye The Lord, will be held on Sunday, July 17, at 4 p.m. at the Princess Margaret Secondary School Hall.
Fish fry
The St Joseph’s Parish Church will hold its annual fish fry on Saturday, July 16, at 6:30 p.m. on the hard court opposite the old St Joseph Parish Church.
Luncheon
The Gracehill Moravian Church, Spooner’s Hill, St Michael, annual luncheon will be held on Sunday, July 17, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on the church grounds.
Silent retreat
The Contemplative Life Foundation, in association with Codrington College, will offer its first bi-annual Silent Retreat for 2016 from July 17 to 22.
The retreat begins with evening prayer in the St Mary Magdalene Chapel at 6 o’clock and concludes after breakfast on the last day. The retreat affords a time for quiet introspection and alone time with God. Spiritual directors will be present to offer guidance.
Revelation seminar
The Revelation Seminar of the St James District of Seventh-Day Adventists continues with Unlocking Bible Prophecy with evangelist Pastor Shane Butcher at the Victory Seventh Day Adventist Church, Orange Hill, St James (opposite the Learning Centre) next week. The sessions will be held on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday nights at 7 o’clock.
The seminar series continues until July 30.
Ermine Holmes Lecture
The tenth annual Ermine Holmes Community Trust Lecture will take place at St George Secondary School on Sunday, July 24 at 6 p.m. It will be delivered by a Barbadian-based in California, Dr David Inniss, an accomplished speaker and communicator.