If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bribe his tongue, he deceives his heart, and this man’s religion is in vain. – James 1: 26
If we put bits into the mouths of horses, that they may obey us, we guide their whole bodies. Look at the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder. – James 3: 3&4
THE BIG QUESTION this week is: Does the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) really need a coach? It was the big topic last week and this week also with the sacking of Phil Simmons. Personally, I do not think that a coach is needed. Who coached Sir Garfield Sobers and the likes of Sir Everton Weekes?
For me it was only a matter of time before Simmons was sent packing and I see no reason why there should be any complaints over his dismissal midway into his three-year contract.
Simmons was wrong to be making public statements about the WICB which was his boss, and above all he was part of management and should not be speaking against the board in public.
Clearly Simmons did not learn his lesson from not so long ago, when he was initially suspended for citing outside interference with the selection of the limited-overs team for last year’s visit to Sri Lanka. Two other public bashings of the WICB meant three strikes. Who would have stood for such behaviour? Not me!
As a WICB employee, Simmons simply shows that he was at odds with the organisation. If he had grouses, professional courtesy dictated that he should have aired his concerns privately. What a pity his tenure had to come to a premature end.
Something is wrong with the coaching department of West Indies cricket. For example, the sacking of Otis Gibson by the board and then he was quickly rehired by England. This gives us much food for thought and tells the story that something is wrong.
Annual concert
• The St John Church Army will hold its annual concert this Sunday at the parish church at 4 p.m. It will feature the Barbados Defence Force Band and other artistes.
• The St Clement Anglican Church will hold its annual concert this Sunday at the church at 4 p.m.
• The All Saints Anglican Church will hold its annual concert this Sunday at the church at 4 p.m.
• The Holy Innocents Church will be having a variety concert on Sunday, October 2, at the church at the 4 p.m.
• The St Patrick’s Anglican Church Choir will hold its annual sacred concert under the distinguished patronage of Sir Richard and Lady Cheltenham on Sunday, October 2, at the church in Christ Church at 4 p.m.
• The Dunscombe Moravian Youth Fellowship, Dunscombe, St Thomas, invites the public to their youth concert, tomorrow at the Dunscombe Church at 6 p.m. Guest artistes include The Moravian Disciples.
Sale
The New Testament Church of God on River Road, will be holding a “this-and-that” public sale tomorrow, from 7:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the MERC building on Lower River Road, St Michael.
Patronal festival
The St Matthew Anglican Church will continue its Patronal Festival today to Sunday with a youth presentation at 7:30 p.m. Panellists will include Frs John Rogers and Jerome Small.
On Sunday the church’s family luncheon will be at the Derrick Smith Vocational Centre, Jackmans, St Michael, at 12:30 p.m.
Clifton Hill luncheon
Clifton Hill Moravian Church, Clifton Hill, St Thomas 175th anniversary luncheon under the patronage of Dame Maizie Barker-Welch will be held on Sunday at The Lester Vaughan School, Cane Garden, St Thomas, from 1 p.m. to 3 pm.
Appointments
The following appointments took effect in the Anglican church from September 1.
1. The Rev. Anthony Harewood as chaplain to the Anglican Men Association;
2. The Rev. Keith Griffith as priest-in-charge of St Clement and St Swithun until August 31, 2017;
3. The Rev. Erma Ambrose as chaplain to the Church Army.
Welcome
The Anglican diocese welcomes the Rev. Ian Claridge, who has been assigned to the Cathedral. He joins his wife Rev. Erma and son Vincent, who returned to the diocese earlier. We wish him God’s blessing as he begins his ministry in the diocese.
