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UCJCI Update

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THE HERMENEUTICAL HISTORY OF SKIN FOR SKIN -An Excerpt from Stephen Russell's book Wednesday Feb 15, 2023
	In a publicly circulated letter dated October 17, 1865, six days after the burning of the courthouse, Bogle and three co-signatories called on fellow residents of St. Thomas-in-the-East to join their ranks: “It is time now for us to help ourselves; skin for skin; the iron bars is now broken in the parish; the white people send a proclamation to the governor to make war against us... war is at us, my black skin, war is at us, from to-day to to-morrow” (RJRC 1866 2.929–30).10 The letter invoked the phrase skin for skin in support of its call for us to help ourselves. A few sentences later it glossed us with my black skin, whom it opposed to the white people. Bogle used skin for skin, then, to call on every Black resident of St. Thomas-in-the-East to join with every other Black resident in a war against the white plantocracy who were supported by the government and the military. please click here for more information (PDF file)

Rise above Wednesday Feb 08, 2023
	Live richly for the sake of doing it. Experience for yourself the highs and lows, the pains and pleasures, the wonders, joys, disappointments and satisfactions. Embrace every opportunity to go, to learn, to see and hear and know and connect. Give courage and action to your curiosity and let it push you to new levels of participation. Refuse to enslave yourself to what other people think. Set forth to fulfill the robust potential that lives within you, not to impress but to magnify life’s richness. Respect your fears, listen to what they have to say, but don’t let them prevent you from living fully. Treasure all you already know and always be eager to experience more. Consider, evaluate, plan, and prepare, but don’t stop there. Put your ideas, your intentions, your dreams into living action. Your life is a real and beautiful miracle, not just a concept. Feel the immense, unique value of you, and take an active role in fully bringing the richness to life. — Ralph Marston please click here for more information (PDF file)

LAY LEADERS’ TRAINING – TAKING IT TO ANOTHER LEVEL Wednesday Jan 25, 2023
	The 2022 Lay Leaders Certificate Course Module 1 featured new dimensions of training. Mrs Karen Francis, Coordinator of Training for Lay Leaders introduced the new elements at the recent graduation of a 2nd cohort of Module 1 on Sunday, November 13, 2022. Reduced Programme Intensity “We have built on last year’s programme –shortening the weekend training day, by adding a short Thursday evening session. In this way, the time for learning is not compromised but the intensity of the training is reduced.” Building the Archives “In many places, the documentation of the rich history of UCJCI congregations is lacking. A practical part of the teaching of the topic: History, Ethos and Polity of UCJCI, was elevated with the addition of fieldwork to research and document the history of the learners’ congregations. This endeavour has added to the archives of the United Church.” Strengthening ‘Learning by Doing’ “This time around, we strengthened the Action-Reflection component. Learners had the opportunity to test what they had learned in areas such as planning and leading a bible study, planning a worship service and leading a small group. This element included the accompaniment of their minister/lay pastor who undertook the roles of observer, guide and assessor.” Improving the Practical Skill of Strategic Planning “The development of a strategic plan was upgraded to a final project. Recognising the necessity of this important skill for leaders, it was felt that adequate time should be committed to the various steps involved in creating a plan as well as applying the taught concepts to the context of the learners – their local congregation. This feature included the benefit of coaching from ministers/lay pastors. This approach not only increased the minister/lay pastor’s awareness of their learners’ capacities, and resource potential for the congregation but also enabled immediate application to the congregation’s planning.

“It’s More Than A Home, It’s a Ministry “ Wednesday Jan 18, 2023
	THE YULETIDE Ministry to the United Church Senior Citizens’ Home (UCSCH) brought many hands together on the Mandeville premises last December two days before Christmas. For the second consecutive year, Ms. Janice Bailey, Director of the UCSCH, with much help, executed a successful luncheon for the joy of residents and staff. The event commenced with hearty meals which made way for the singing of carols with family members who joined on zoom and a performance from Yashi Williams, Evangelism and Discipleship Coordinator of the United Church Young Adults’ Action Movement, for the Southern Regional Mission Council. Rev. Chung was also present at the Luncheon. Ms. Bailey shared that all 18 residents welcomed the Christmas event. “They especially enjoyed the all-you-can-eat menu as they enjoyed foods they do not eat throughout the year,” she said. The family members were very appreciative of the consideration and expressed that they enjoyed the caroling. The Board, chaired by the recently appointed Dorothy Miller, held a potluck and lyme for the staff. Majority of the board members were present. Rev. J. Oliver Daley was also presen please click here for more information (PDF file)

UCJCI Women’s Fellowship 3Oth Anniversary by President General, Mrs. Cheryl Shaw Wednesday Dec 14, 2022
	On December 13, 2022, the UCJCI Women’s Fellowship celebrated 30 years of union between the former United Church of Jamaica and Grand Cayman Women’s Guild and the Disciples of Christ Christian Women’s Fellowship. We give thanks to God for His help and faithfulness: “The Lord has certainly helped us” (1 Samuel 7:12). God has indeed been very good to us over these last 30 years that we have been established as a Union. Thirty years signify a pearl anniversary which speaks to wisdom, love and purity. This is the very essence of our 30 years of existence as a united group of women embracing the wisdom, love and purity of God in every aspect of our ministry and this is reflected in our motto: ‘By Love Serve’. We have experienced challenges but, the Lord was with us and we were able to weather the storm and kept united throughout these 30 years. please click here for more information (PDF file)

“UNITE! Activism to end violence against women and girls” by Rev Jane Kaluba Wednesday Nov 30, 2022
	The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence against women and girls is an international civil society-led campaign that takes place each year. It commences on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and ends on 10 December, Human Rights Day, indicating that violence against women is the most pervasive breach of human rights worldwide. It was originated by activists at the inaugural Women's Global Leadership Institute in 1991 and continues to be coordinated each year by the Center for Women’s Global Leadership (CWGL). It is used as an organizing strategy by individuals and organizations around the world to call for the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls (VAWG). As a female theologian who preaches every Sunday and reads and hears stories about women who are battered and murdered almost every week, 16 days of activism is a time when I reflect on the suffering of women, girls and their families and what each one of us needs to do in our own spaces to address this ‘pandemic’. please click here for more information (PDF file)

Reigniting Youth and Children’s Ministry in the SRMC Wednesday Nov 23, 2022
	In this Issue Reigniting Youth and Children’s Ministry in SRMC pg 1-2 The Official Renaming of the Prospect Centre to Olive Miller Memorial Building pg 3 Tribute to Mrs Olive Miller pg 3 Cayman Culture Night pg 4 Prayer Corner pg 5 Liturgy for Worship pg 5 Reigniting Youth and Children’s Ministry in the SRMC Having recognized the impact, the pandemic has had on congregations and auxiliaries, the Southern Regional Mission Council has embarked on pumping energy into the Youth and Children’s ministry in the region. Activities and developments of the ministry came to a screeching halt in many congregations which has impacted the reach to the children and young people. However, ministry leaders and teachers are being encouraged and engaged to reignite the ministry. This culminated in the region’s hosting of Youth Rally and Kids Quake. please click here for more information (PDF file)

2022 Ordination - Rev Alja Dias Wednesday Nov 16, 2022
	On November 10, the doors of Ridgemount United Church, in Mandeville Manchester, were fully opened for the 2022 Service of Ordination. Scores of well-wishers, amongst family and friends, of Rev. Alja Dias were in attendance. This year’s event followed its usual order of events commencing with the procession of Clergy donning their red, white, and black vestments. Reverend Dias, who is currently the youngest ordained Reverend in the United Church and the Cayman Islands, was the sole ordinand to the Ministry of Word and Sacraments this year. This momentous occasion for the lover of arts and the supervisory chef came with a flood of emotions as he prepared for another leg of the journey. Yet, he remains grounded in the certainty of his call as a servant-leader with great promise. Hailing from Lucea United Congregation, in the Western Regional Mission Council, Rev. Dias was placed at the Lowe River Charge in the Southern Regional Mission Council. If you were not there to share in his ordination and the enriching word shared by Rev. Lembe Sivile, Minister of the Meadowbrook United Church, we invite you to watch the service on YouTube on UCJCI’s Channel. please click here for more information (PDF file)

From Former to Future Glory by Mr. Herman Wilson Friday Nov 11, 2022
	Every believer in Christ Jesus has been sealed with the Holy Spirit for the day of redemption, and lives in the hope of the future glory of God. Through the life and times of Israel, God by God’s providence, invariably demonstrates that the choices of humanity apart from God, will, result in hopelessness. This is because we have all fallen short of God’s glory. Because of the disobedience of the Israelites, the Babylonians in 597 B.C., destroyed first temple built by King Solomon This temple was glorious because the Ark of the Covenant was there. However, that glory eventually faded, and the Israelites were exiles in Babylon for seventy years as punishment for their hardheartedness. Upon their return to the Promised Land, the Israelites undertook the rebuilding the temple. However, due to objections from the people who had occupied the land during their absence, they ceased from the work and became complacent. God called the prophet Haggai to motivate Israel to resume and complete the reconstruction of the temple. Initially, many of the older Israelites who saw the former temple, wept on seeing the small size of the second temple. God, however, assured them that although the second temple was far less impressive, its future glory would be exceedingly great. God told Israel that even from the time of their journey from Egypt, God’s Spirit has always been among them. please click here for more information (PDF file)

Lessons from Habakkuk Rev. Norbert Stephens – General Secretary (UCJCI) Wednesday Nov 02, 2022
	Please read Habakkuk 1:1-4 At some time or the other all of us have engaged in sightseeing. Some of us in faraway places others of us within these shores. Indeed, some of us are seasoned tourists who have seen and experienced many, some or a few of the great sights and wonders of this world. Often for every visit we tend to ask two pertinent questions, “why?” and “how long?” You see there are basically two ways to engage in sightseeing, the first is as a tourist, the second is with a mission in mind. When you are a tourist, your sightseeing has intent without long-term investment. Your interest is to be informed and or inspired but the sight is merely one on your bucket list and while you might ask the questions of why and how long, once done, you are moving on to another sight. Intent without long-term investment. When you sightsee with a missional focus in mind you have intent with long-term investment. This is not merely a place or issue on your bucket list; indeed, it is the bucket on your list. You are no longer a tourist, you become vested. For the location or issue requires both your ongoing presence and participation. Intent with long-term investment. Truth be told, you cannot truly engage in mission without sightseeing. One enables the other… it’s the act of sightseeing, which generates the mission, which in turn seeks to address the why and how long questions. The prophet Habakkuk, like Martin Luther, engaged in sightseeing and the same generated for both the why and how long questions. please click here for more information (PDF file)