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CIRMC Weekly

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Time To Pull Up Anchor! Wednesday May 03, 2023
	(The Sermon of the Rt. Rev. Gary Harriott, Moderator of the UCJCI, on the occasion of the Closing Service of the 43rd Synod of the UCJCI, held at the Elmslie Memorial United Church, George Town, Grand Cayman) We gathered as a church over these day in times of inspirational worship; deep and provocative Bible Studies; we wrestled in discussion about the state of affairs of our two countries - the socio-political challenges; the need to give serious attention to our children, youth and men’s ministry; the need to be more intentional in our pastoral accompaniment of our schools; the need to affirm the dignity of those of our sisters and brothers in our societies who are disabled; we listened to the pain coming out of our sister nation - Haiti and what must be the response of CARICOM and the World Church; we were challenged in lecture; we were inspired by the stories of some who have given themselves to the work of Christ and the Church; with the motif or the central theme of the ship we have determined that we need to address the quality of our worship, our fellowship, our discipleship, our stewardship and our leadership please click here for more information (PDF file)

Pastor John Wallace Macmillan 1945-2023 Wednesday Apr 19, 2023
	With deep sadness, we announce the passing of Pastor John Macmillan. He transitioned from this life on Monday, April 17, 2023, in Florida, USA, after a period of illness. Pastor Macmillan was the longest-serving Lay Pastor in the United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, serving mainly the Robert Young Memorial Mission Station in the Cayman Islands Regional Mission Council. His service in the church was expansive and included, but was not limited to, being an Elder, a Delegate to Council and Synod, a member and Chairman of the Cayman United Church Corporation, a staff member in the Cayman Islands Regional Mission Council Office and the Administrator for the Elmslie Memorial Church. John was a faithful servant of God, whose dedication, diligence and commitment were gifts to the church. please click here for more information (PDF file)

Reconnect in Faith by Rev. Dr. Yvette Noble-Bloomfield Wednesday Apr 12, 2023
	The call to Reconnect in Faith is the theme for reflection this week. The scriptural reference is John 20:19-30. This final pericope in the Gospel of John provides us with the struggles of Thomas who, when told that Christ was raised from the dead, simply did not believe. He doubted the credibility of his fellow Disciples and declared that until he could see, touch and handle Jesus, he would not believe that He was raised from death. Following the disaster the Disciples faced on Good Friday, Thomas’ response could be seen as plausible. After all, Christ proclaimed the Kingdom of God, He performed many miracles that proved His divinity, and He was clearly the Messianic figure they anticipated, yet He had died and was buried. How then, having been defeated by death, He could rise from the dead? Thomas was comfortable and justified in his doubt concerning the resurrection of Christ and he knew that the possibility of Christ’s immediate return was remote. Yet, Jesus interrupted Thomas’s state of disbelief in a powerful and distinguished way. Whereas Mary was told, “Do not touch me” – John 20:17, in John 20: 27, Thomas is invited to place his hand in Jesus’ palms and side. Jesus had to ensure that Thomas would have a faith-transforming experience that would enable him to proclaim the power of the resurrection to those who would believe please click here for more information (PDF file)

EASTER MESSAGE 2023: THINKING OUTSIDE THE TOMB Philip Vinod Peacock Executive for Justice and Witness WCRC Wednesday Apr 05, 2023
	As the world limps out of the COVID pandemic, the ravages of the pandemic have prised open already existing, deeply embedded injustices. Globally, we are acutely aware of the deep inequalities of class, gender, and race that divide humanity and prevent us from living the abundant life that God calls us into. As we resist the urge to return to what was “normal,” we instead try to re-create a world that is founded on justice. It is in this context of not returning to normal that we are called to think outside the tomb. please click here for more information (PDF file)

Palm Sunday Wednesday Mar 29, 2023
	With Palm Sunday, the Church begins the annual Holy Week journey. This journey opens with a joyful celebration, but in a few short days takes an unexpected turn and leads to a shocking conclusion. As we witness the rapidly unfolding drama of the last week of Jesus’ earthly life, events speak volumes not only about God’s passionate love for all but also about the sobering reality of sin that plagues humankind both collectively and individually. Jesus became the new Passover Lamb whose blood was shed for all, so that those who believe in Him may be freed from the slavery of sin and have Life and have it eternally. At the heart of the story of Jesus’ passion is the manifestation of a love unlike any other. The love we confront is so sincere, selfless, and transforming that it is beyond human comprehension. In Jesus’ suffering, we witness a love of unprecedented depths. The Son of God voluntarily enters the deepest humiliation ever seen to meet us in our fallenness, sin, and helplessness and raise us to the highest heights imaginable. please click here for more information (PDF file)

Transforming for Renewal (Stewardship) Mr. Bryan Bothwell Wednesday Mar 22, 2023
	“The opposite of love is not hate; it is indifference.” That simple observation by Holocaust survivor and Nobel Laureate Elie Wiesel has stuck with me since I was a young man. I grew up very much seeing ‘love your neighbor’ in action in numerous ways in our daily lives. On the other hand, we were taught not to hate people and not to “hold something against someone” because of the essentialness of forgiveness. The Church still teaches this. But for most people, “hate” is an uncommon emotion. ‘Indifference’ is a more deceptive trap and, therefore, more widely captures the core of the problem. How, in practice, can we love like Jesus, given the breadth and transformative depth of what that would entail. So “indifference” and that contrast to love came readily to my mind for today’s theme which is, “Return”. “Return”, specifically as a strategic direction for the United Church. Of course, that means also, and foremost, for each of us who collectively make up that particular body within Christ’s worldwide Church. For we know Christianity is personal, though if you want to keep it to yourself, it is not Christianity! please click here for more information (PDF file)

2023 Girls’ Brigade Week Wednesday Mar 15, 2023
	Girls’ Brigade Companies from across the Cayman Islands gathered on Sunday, March 12, 2023, at the Webster Memorial United Church (Bodden Town) to participate in the opening service, launching the Annual Girls’ Brigade Week. The Worship Service brought into focus the theme of the 2023 Girls’ Brigade International, ‘Rise in Strength…for Such a Time as This.’ Rev. Euthman Wray, host Minister of the Service framed his sermon, entitled ‘Stand Strong for such a time as this’, based on the story of Esther, to reflect the theme. please click here for more information (PDF file)

#EmbraceEquity Wednesday Mar 08, 2023
	Wednesday, March 8, 2023, marked International Women's Day (IWD), a global celebration of the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. This year’s campaign theme is #EmbraceEquity. But what is equity? Equity can be easily confused with equality. Sometimes they are even used interchangeably. But these two similar words cover two inherently different concepts. Equality means having access to the same resources or opportunities. Equity means having access to resources or opportunities necessary to reach an equal outcome. The concept of equality is based on the principle of ‘fairness’. Fairness, however, works only (and is truly fair) when the initial conditions or circumstances are the same. Equity, on the other hand, takes into consideration the fact that people start from different places. Some may require more resources or opportunities than others to achieve the same goals. please click here for more information (PDF file)

Guarding Your Speech by Rev Donovan Myers Wednesday Mar 01, 2023
	Please read James 3:1-12 As we begin this year’s journey in Lent, that forty-day period that Jesus spent in the wilderness, in fasting and prayer – ahead of being tempted by Satan – we note how prominently speech or speaking takes centre stage in that Gospel story. Both the absence of audible speech on the part of Jesus, as He separated Himself from people in solitude, fasting and prayer; to the belligerent hounding of Jesus by Satan who tests Him time after time, after time! You can’t miss the three times the tempter came to Him and “said” (he speaks or communicates). And then in response, Jesus replies “it is written”. Both use language and speech, but while the tempter uses it to beguile and deceive, Jesus uses His speech to point to God. It leaves us to evaluate and ask ourselves, how do we use our gift of speech? please click here for more information (PDF file)

The Season of Lent Wednesday Feb 22, 2023
	As part of the Church’s annual liturgical journey, we have transitioned from the Season of Epiphany into the Season of Lent. During the six weeks (and five Sundays) of Lent, we engage in meaningful spiritual preparation for Easter, the greatest Feast of the holy days in the Christian calendar. The very first step of this preparation, Ash Wednesday, sets the tone for our spiritual journey to the Cross and the Empty Tomb of our Lord. The symbolic meaning of ashes indicating mourning and sadness is a stark expression of our sinful nature. It is also a solemn reminder of our mortality and desperate need to find forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with God. On our own we are hopeless, but through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, there is the promise of cleansing and new life that extends beyond the grave! Let us then journey on in faith, hope, and love! please click here for more information (PDF file)