To: Clergy and People
From: The Bishop
15th December, 2017

Greetings!

Jesus says, “Surely I am coming soon!” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! (Revelation 22: 20)

Bishop’s Christmas Message 2017

Please find my Christmas Message attached. I am asking all incumbents to kindly have it read during worship in all churches on Christmas Day.

Strategic Plan Synod 2016 – Parish Self-Assessment

We began with the sensitising of parishioners on the Five Marks of Mission of the Anglican Communion.

During this coming year I encourage you to move to the next phase: which is the self-assessment of each Parish.

  1. In its deliberations,each Parish should be mindful of the documents of the 36th Triennial Session of the Synod of the Diocese of the Windward Islands which I’ll send to you.
  1. The Parishes should reflect on:
    a. what you are doing now,
    b. identify the gaps, and
    c. decide programmes, activities,policies re- the way forward.

In this regard each Parish should reflect on the following:

a. How do we understand ourselves?
b. How do we understand our neighbourhood?
c. What do we sense God is saying to us?

Key outputs:

  • To discuss areas of strength and weakness based on what is currently being done on each mark,
  • Identify opportunities for new, revived or expanded work on each mark
  • Set priority programmes and activities for the next three years
  • Set time-lines for implementing these programmes and activities

I hope to meet with the PCC of each Parish within the first quarter of 2018, to stress the importance of this exercise, and to bring along the chair of the Archdeaconry Synod 2016 Strategic Plan Monitoring Committee along with other support persons according to opportunity and as required.

Appointments

The Venerable Christian Glasgow has been appointed Rector of the Parish of The Holy Trinity, Castries, with St. Mary, La Caye, St. Lucia and as Archdeacon of St. Lucia with effect from 1st January, 2018.

The service of Institution, Induction and Recognition is scheduled for Wednesday 25th April, 2018 being the feast of St. Mark, the Evangelist, at The Holy Trinity Parish Church, Castries St. Lucia.

The Rev’d Canon Michael Marshall has been appointed Rector of the St. George’s Parish Church, Church Street, St. George’s with St. Vincent, St. Peter, St. Luke and St. Alban, Grenada and as Archdeacon of Grenada with effect from 1st February, 2018.

The service of Institution, Induction and Recognition is scheduled for Wednesday 16th May, 2018, at The St. George’s Parish Church, Church Street, St. George’s, Grenada.

The Rev’d Eleanor Glasgow has been appointed Priest in Charge of the Parish of Grace Church, Riviere Doree with St. Paul and Christ the King, St. Lucia with effect from 1st January, 2018.

The service of Institution is scheduled for Thursday 26th April, 2018 at Grace Church, Riviere Doree, St. Lucia.

The Rev’d Fr. Junior Ballantyne has been appointed Priest in Charge of the St. James’ Parish Church, Layou with St. Mary, Buccament, St. Vincent and the Grenadines with effect from 1st February, 2018.

The service of Institution is scheduled for Wednesday 23rd May, 2018 being a Whitsuntide Ember Day at the St. James Parish Church, Layou.

The Rev’d Fr. Coleridge Brooker has been appointed Priest in Charge of the St. John’s Parish Church, Gouyave, St. John, with St. Mark and St. Matthew, Grenada, with effect from 1st February, 2018.

The service of Institution is scheduled for Thursday 17th May, 2018 at the St. John’s Parish Church, Gouyave.

Mrs. Pamela Stephen-James BSC, Dip Mgnt, St. Philip Parish Church, Mesopotamia as Diocesan Treasurer and Ms. Hannah Laidlow ACCA, St. Sylvan’s Church, Stubbs, as Assistant Diocesan Treasurer with effect from 1st January, 2018.

Mr. Kenneth “Scakes” Alleyne as Diocesan Director of Communication with effect from 1st January, 2018.

Termination of Relationship

The Rev’d Dr. Thomas Mayers has submitted his resignation as a Priest in the Diocese of the Windward Islands and as Rector of the St. Patrick’s Parish Church, Sauteurs with St. Mary and St. Francis, Grenada with effect from 30th April, 2018. I take this opportunity to thank The Rev’d Dr. Thomas Mayers for his years of service in the Diocese and to wish him and his family well in all their future endeavours.

Demitting Office

Justice Francis Cumberbatch, Diocesan Chancellor has informed me that he will be demitting office as a High Court Judge in the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court with effect from 31st December, 2017. He will be residing outside of the Diocese but will continue as Chancellor until a new one is appointed. I take this opportunity to thank Justice Cumberbatch for his words of wisdom and prudent advice over the years. We’ll truly miss his dignified presence and witty and in- depth discourses. May God’s blessings be with him and family in their future endeavours.

Pre-Lenten Clergy Retreat

The Annual Pre-Lenten Clergy Retreat is scheduled for Tuesday 6th to Thursday 8th February, 2018 with travelling days being Monday 5th and Friday 9th February, 2018. The Retreat Conductor is the Rev’d Canon, Major John Rohim, Rector of Christ Church With Holy Trinity, Saba and St. Mary Magdalene Eustatius, Diocese of the North Easter Caribbean and Aruba. Please book flights early for better fares.

Archbishop Demitting Office

The Most Reverend Dr. The Honourable John Walden Dunlop Holder will retire as Bishop of The Diocese of Barbados and Archbishop of the West Indies, Primate and Metropolitan on February 28, 2018, having reached the age of retirement according to the Canons and Regulations of the Diocese of Barbados.

The Diocese of Barbados will be having their Annual Diocesan Mass on February 11, 2018, at the Garfield Sobers Gymnasium. This celebration will be a Service of Thanksgiving as they celebrate Archbishop Holder’s ministry as Bishop of Barbados and Archbishop of the West Indies. The sermon will be preached by the Right Reverend Errol Brooks, Bishop of The Diocese of The North East Caribbean and Aruba.

Provincial Clergy Conference 2018

The next Provincial Clergy Conference should be held in the Diocese of the Windward Islands in the Archdeaconry of Grenada. It is scheduled for after Easter, 2018 the dates are still to be confirmed. More information will be given to you as they come to hand.

Diocesan Clergy Conference 2018

Our triennial Clergy Conference is scheduled for 5:00pm Monday 15th to Thursday 18th October, 2018 in Grenada with travel days being Monday 15th and Friday 19th October, 2018. Further details will be circulated in due course.

Obituary

We have learnt of the passing of Mrs. Verona Richards, wife of the Rev’d Dr. Lionel Richards who died in Tobago, last week.

We extend our deepest sympathy to Fr. Richards and family other relatives and friends. May they experience the comfort of God’s Holy presence and know the consolation of his love.

Rest eternal grant to her, 0 Lord; and let light perpetual shine upon her. May she rest in peace. Amen.

With every good wish and God’s blessings!

Yours sincerely

The Rt. Rev’ d C. Leopold Friday
Bishop of the Windward Islands