For I delight in the law of God in my inmost self. But I see in my members another law at war with the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin which dwells in my members. – Romans 7: 22-23.
MY RETIREMENT has given me the opportunity to leave the country without having to seek permission. During my working life, which spanned some 48 years – eleven as a teacher and 37 as an ordained minister in the Anglican Church – I had to get permission. This was the first time that I was able to take a trip abroad without authorisation from superiors.
As a teacher, I had to seek permission from the Ministry of Education, although the same permission came after I had returned to the country. In the church it was a bit different in that the approval was granted before I left the country and I had to make an arrangement with someone to be in charge of the parish.
Since retirement, I have also had the chance to wear my nice tailored shirt-jac suits. It has also given me the chance to go from church to church. So far I have visited seven Anglican churches and the attendance was not that great, because the numbers were down and there were plenty of seniors in the congregations and the choirs.
The sample may be small, but it gave me a sense of what is happening in other churches. In the past the congregation at my own St Joseph and St Aidan had dropped and that was understandable, but still I had thought that something was wrong with my personality, but since my visits, I had realised that it was not me, but it seemed to be the general pattern. As I continue to visit other Anglican churches across Barbados, I will be able to come up with a more scientific opinion and I will let you know.
Once again I think that those who think that I am unorthodox, untheological, cannot preach and that I play to the press will be after my head, but we must be honest and true to ourselves about what is happening. That is where I stand.
Youth synod
The youth synod of the Anglican Church will take place tomorrow. It will be held at the Christ Church Parish Centre.
Patronal festival
The St Luke’s Church will be celebrating its patronal festival next week. There will be services each evening at 7:30; Monday (evensong), Tuesday (Eucharist), Wednesday (songs and praises), Thursday (evensong), and Friday (youth service).
Sacred music
The Diocesan Recital of Sacred Music presents The Holy Psalms of David on Sunday, October 23, 6 p.m. at the St Mary’s Anglican Church. Artistes include Gaye Gajadhar (soprano), Robert Best (tenor), The Diocesan Youth Chorale (directed by Janaye Burgess), The Diocesan Mass Choir (directed by Julian Bowen and John Burnett) and The Mark Husbands Ensemble.
Fellowship day
The Anglican Diocesan Fellowship Day will take place on Sunday, November 6, at 10 a.m. at Farley Hill, St Peter. It will start with a celebration of the Eucharist.
