Home
About Us >
Congregations
Missions
Ministries
Camps
Sermons
News
Newsletters >
- UCJCI Update
- CIRMC Weekly
Calendar
Photo Galleries
Accommodations >
- Cayman
- Jamaica
Weddings
Links
Contact Us

CIRMC Weekly

Page: [1-10] 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 [21-30] [31-31]


Seek Good, Not Evil…Hate Evil, Love Good…Maintain Justice! By Rev Dr Yvette Noble- Bloomfield Wednesday Oct 06, 2021
	Please read Amos 5: 10-15 One of the Lectionary offerings for this week, Amos 5:10-15, has remained a most provocative text. The harsh words of the Shepherd of Tekoa have become even more poignant as humanity struggles with the dis-ease caused not only by the COVID-19 pandemic but by the levels of pain, marginalization, and injustice that still exist. Truth has become elusive and conditional, in fact, truth has been twisted and trampled (Chp.5 v 7), the innocent remain oppressed, bribery and corruption stalk the hallways, and those with the privilege of voice, in the name of prudence, remain silent because the proverbial times are evil. Amos was not a typical or career prophet, but he received a peculiar message for the people of the Northern Kingdom. His onslaught of words in Bethel addressed not only the people of Israel but challenged the neighboring nations. His words were penetrative and tough to hear as his soul got angry because of the constant oppression and dehumanization of the poor and dispossessed. Amos recognized and condemned the many crimes of war, and he was strident in denouncing the atrocities and suffering of the people as nations ravished each other. The images of fire, ripped open pregnant women, the enslavement of people, the killing of relatives, and the general gruesomeness seem harsh for our ears and imagination today. please click here for more information (PDF file)

Cayman Islands Regional Mission Council Meeting September 25 2021 POPULAR REPORT Wednesday Sep 29, 2021
	Highlights from Council Meeting held on September 25, 2021 A regular meeting of the Cayman Islands Regional Mission Council was held via Zoom on Saturday, September 25, 2021, with nineteen Delegates in attendance, representing the nine Congregations in attendance. Mr Ransford Myers was introduced as a new delegate from the William Pouchie Memorial United Church. Devotion, which was led by the Chair, Rev Rohan Forrester focused on ‘Receiving Hope and Sharing Hope’. The General Secretary, the Rev. Norbert Stephens attended the meeting and presented the Synod’s September 2021 Remit. A Moment of Silence was observed for the Rev Dr Major Norman Francis who made his transition on September 12, 2021. He was the former lecturer and United Church Warden at the United Theological College of the West Indies. The General Secretary and the Chair of the Church and Ministry Committee, Rev Euthman Wray informed the Council that there are three Candidates for Ordination to the Ministry of Word and Sacrament, namely Mrs. Anna Kay Henry McGregor, Ms Sandra Collins, and Mr Wendell McKoy. They will be ordained in November 2021. please click here for more information (PDF file)

Celebrating Older Persons Wednesday Sep 22, 2021
	Did you know that currently there are about 700 million people over the age of 60 and it is predicted that by 2050, this number will reach almost 2 billion? The increasing numbers of ageing populations have prompted a lot of attention over the past 30-40 years and various initiatives have been implemented to try and address the possible implications of this trend. On December 14th 1990, the United Nations General Assembly designated the 1st of October the International Day of Older Persons. In a short time, the Cayman Islands followed suit and since 1995 the month of October has been commemorated Older Persons Month by the Department of Children and Family Services. The month-long celebrations and activities provide an opportunity to recognize the contributions that older people make to society as well as to create awareness and empathy regarding the many issues the elderly face. please click here for more information (PDF file)

Greatness Redefined by Rev Otto Menko Wednesday Sep 15, 2021
	Please read Mark 9:33-35 As human beings we all have fundamental needs that are essential not only for our survival but also to function and live as well-balanced and wholesome individuals. Some of these fundamental needs are addressing physical and safety requirements such as food, water, sleep, shelter and security without which we would perish. Others, like belonging, being part of a group, being accepted and loved point to needs that are social in nature. Last but not least, some needs are related to our self-esteem and self-worth, for example, dignity, accomplishment, independence, or being accepted and valued, just to mention a few. All these and some other fundamental needs show us just how complex we, human beings are, how many things and conditions affect, influence and even determine our sense of completeness, our life as a whole. But they do more than that. They also influence our values and our motivations. Our overall wellness is dependent on a healthy balance of all these, through which personal and collective interests are equally represented and ensured by mutual dependence and support. please click here for more information (PDF file)

Selfless Service by Rev Rohan Forrester Wednesday Sep 08, 2021
	Please read Mark 8:27-38 Putting the interests of others before ours and going an extra mile to alleviate other people’s suffering, is a serious measuring stick of our faith in the God of Justice. September 11th marks the 175th Anniversary of the United Church’s (formerly the Presbyterian Church) mission in the Cayman Islands. As we celebrate this significant milestone in our church’s history, we are called to retrace our steps and renew our calling to selfless service to the people of these islands. The story is recorded as follows: In 1845 Rev. Hope Waddel, Scottish Presbyterian missionary in Jamaica was on his way to Scotland to present his case for a mission to Africa when he was shipwrecked at East End and later reports on the spiritual destitution of the locals. In the spring of 1846, Rev. William Niven, on his way to Scotland stopped at Cayman and observed the situation firsthand; while in England he learnt from the Secretary of the Wesleyan Missionary Society that they were not interested in future missions in the Cayman Islands. He then sought the help of the Scottish Board who offered their assistance in finding a volunteer to go to Grand Cayman. please click here for more information (PDF file)

Impartiality: The Character of God by Rev Dr Yvette Noble- Bloomfield Wednesday Sep 01, 2021
	Please read Isaiah 35:4-7a and Psalm 146: 5-10 As the United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands continues its focus on PEACE, we are provoked by two passages from the lectionary readings which invite us to recognize new ways of understanding creation and the nature of our relationship with the neighbor and the stranger. But more so, we are challenged to understand God’s intention for creation, and we are called to discern God’s will for how we ought to conduct ourselves as travelers along the journey of life. God’s providential care for creation and God’s preferential option for the poor become obvious in the passages. It is evident also that by character and nature God is impartial and has a deep desire that humanity imitates this behavior. In being unbiased, God is able to embrace all and thereby seeks to provide benediction for everyone. Such is the nature of the God we serve. please click here for more information (PDF file)

Finding Peace in Anxious Times by Mrs Raquel Forrester Wednesday Aug 25, 2021
	For many families, these last few days before the reopening of school is a time to restructure and tighten home rules and to reintroduce the necessary routines. It is also a time to shop for school supplies and uniforms. Some of us seem to be at peace amidst the hustle and bustle of back-to-school preparations. We have things under control! But have we stopped to think about those parents who struggle to find their children’s school supplies and uniforms? What about those children who are anxious about going into new classes and meeting new teachers? What about those children who are anxious because they find it difficult to engage in school activities and make new friends? What about those children who have low self-esteem and those who struggle with their schoolwork? What about those parents and teachers who are beginning to dread the early morning traffic? Then, there are those students who are anxiously awaiting the reopening of school because school for them is the only escape they have from the challenges they experience at home. There are so many pressures and anxieties as the school year begins. please click here for more information (PDF file)

Peace Amidst Chaos and Strife by Mrs Katherine Jackson Wednesday Aug 18, 2021
	In St. John 14: 27, Jesus says, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” Peace and harmonious relationships were elements that God placed in the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve were created – love, peace, and harmony – God said that this work was “very good”. So it was, yet, that was not to remain. Why? Well, God also put the element of “choice” into the mix as He didn’t want his creation to be “beholding” to Him, nor did He want puppets on a string, or mechanical robots. So, enters Mr. Slippery Slick who moved into the territory with his sweet words and smooth talk … and convinced the woman that there was so much more to life than God was letting on about. That lovely fruit would reveal all – but it destroyed the love, peace, and harmony that God had planted. God’s peace was also a forerunner of the peace that Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour would bring … that’s why Jesus could say: my peace I give to you – not as the world giveth, give I unto you – let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” … so from the very first act of deception in the Garden, humankind has tried time after time to build peace – with each other, within communities, among nations – and we still can’t get it right, or make it last. It almost seems as though chaos is causing life to tumble down through the ages, and as it does, it is unraveling whatever it passes by … but again, what does Jesus say to us? “Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” please click here for more information (PDF file)

Welcome Back Rev Myers! Wednesday Aug 11, 2021
	With a deep sense of gratitude and an abundance of joy, the CIRMC welcomes back Rev. Donovan Myers, Minister of the John Gray Memorial United Church, West Bay. Rev. Myers and his loved ones have recently been through a particularly difficult time in their life, yet during the many trials and tribulations they remained strong in their faith and never gave up hope. We celebrate God’s goodness and mercy toward them, for God has restored him and filled him with renewed strength and zeal. Rev. Myers has resumed the administrative duties of his Charge as of August 1, 2021,and will take on his full duties on September 1, 2021. We continue to keep him and his family in our thoughts and prayers as they embark on this new phase of their life. The CIRMC also wishes to record its gratitude to all those who have assisted in various areas of congregational ministry during the temporary, yet prolonged absence of Rev. Myers. Their contributions proved to be invaluable during this critical period. please click here for more information (PDF file)

CIRMC Summer Camps 2021 Wednesday Aug 04, 2021
	Since 1982 the Prospect Youth Centre of the UCJCI in the CIRMC has been hosting children and youth camps during the summer months. Over the years, for countless campers, it has become synonymous with a lifetime of memories, lasting friendships, life-changing decisions, not forgetting the plenty of fun, great comradery, and important lessons learned. The various activities at camp offer a plethora of opportunities to our children and youth to learn about what it means to share space with others, to consider each other’s needs, to communicate effectively, to organize themselves, and most importantly, of course, to learn about God, about what it means to put our trust in God, who has a purpose and plan for each of us. It is indeed very challenging, if not outright impossible to capture in words what a camp experience means for one’s spiritual formation and overall wellbeing and development. please click here for more information (PDF file)