Hear my son, and accept my words that the years of your life may be many. I have taught you the way of wisdom. I have led you in the path of unrighteousness when you walk, your step will not be hampered. And when you walk, your step will not will not be hampered. And if you run you will not stumble. – Proverbs 4:10-12.
AFTER READING MONDAYS DAILY NATION which carried an article headlined “Granny turns in youth over pistol”, I am forced to comment on the story which was taken from the Nassau Guardian.
Bahamian Chief Magistrate Joy-Ann Fergusson-Pratt last week commended a woman who called the police after she found a pistol that her grandson had hidden in her house.
Police arrested Hensel Ellis last October 23 after his grandmother discovered the unloaded 9mm pistol while cleaning the front room of her home.
Ellis later changed his plea to guilty before and told the magistrate that he was now determined to change his life.
That’s the usual thing that people in custody will say; they’ve found God, and whenever they are released from prison they return to their former lives.
Before passing sentence, Ferguson-Pratt said: “I want to commend your grandmother for standing up for what is right.
“Countless other parents and guardians if they had found that firearm, they would have put it back and pretended that they didn’t see it or tried to dispose of it so as not to expose the wrong.”
She sentenced Ellis to 22 months due to his guilty plea and lack of previous convictions.
We need more persons in today’s world like that grandmother. If parents and guardians would tell their children that they are wrong when they are wrong we would not have the problems we are having with the youth when it comes to crime.
The problem in Barbados is that many family members do not correct each other and do not like it when others speak about them and about the things they are doing. They wait until their loved one dies or is in trouble with the law, and then say how good they were.
Let us be honest with ourselves and encourage our young people to do the right thing. Honesty is still the best policy.
Congratulations
Congratulations to Winston Coombes, who was one of 48 lay members appointed by The Most Rev. Colin Johnson, Archbishop of Toronto and Metropolitan of Ontario. Coombes is a former lay reader at St Luke’s Anglican Church, St George.
Ordination service
The Moravian Church in Barbados invites the public to the ordination service for Bro. Delroy Burley (pastor of Bethlehem Moravian) on Sunday, January 22, at 6 p.m. at the Sharon Moravian Church, Jackson, St Thomas. The Rt Rev. Dr Kingsley Lewis will be the presiding bishop.
Carol service
An Epiphany carol service will be held by the St Michael’s Cathedral Choir with John Bryan (organist and choirmaster) on Sunday, January 22 at 6 p.m. at the cathedral.
Organist needed
The All Saints Anglican Church in St Peter needs an organist. Applications in writing should be sent to the rector, Rev Selven Lowe, c/o All Saints Anglican Church, Pleasant Hall, St Peter. Applications will close on January 30.
Revival
The All Saints Church Army will be holding a month-long revival every Tuesday night during January. It will be held at the training centre opposite the TriMart Supermarket.
Hymn Fest
A festival of hymns and songs To God be the Glory will be given by the Whitepark Wesleyan Holiness Church on Sunday, January 29, at 4:30 p.m.
Harvest festival
The Centenary Moravian Church, Shop Hill, St Thomas, will hold its annual harvest festival on Sunday, January 29, at 3:30 p.m.
Diocesan service
The annual Anglican Diocesan Service has been changed from February 12,to February 19, at Kensington Oval.
