To: Clergy and People
From: The Bishop
18th November, 2022

Greetings!

Advent Mission Service

The annual Advent Mission Service in the Archdeaconry of St. Vincent and the Grenadines is scheduled for 9:30am on Advent Sunday 27th November, 2022 and the Youth Service/programme at 2:00 p.m. at the Arnos Vale Playing Field. The theme for the service is “Called To Serve #BeingAChurchOfHope.” The preacher is the Rev’d Canon Ashton Francis – Rector of the Parish of St. Paul, Calliaqua with St. John, Belair, St. Vincent and the Grenadines. All Anglicans and people of good will are invited to join us for the celebration of the Holy Eucharist as we begin the Church’s Year.

On Sunday 27th November, 2022 we enter into the season of Advent, the beginning of the Church’s year. Advent is a time of restraint, contemplation, preparation, yes preparation — preparing ourselves for the coming of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. It is twofold: we prepare as it were for His coming at Christmas, as Messiah and Saviour of the world and also for His second coming at the end time, to judge the living and the dead. The services in church are restrained and subdued, at this time the church is not decorated with flowers and weddings are not encouraged. The Propers for each Sunday in Advent are intended to shape our hope and prepare us for what is to come, as we await the coming of Christ. It is marked by growing joy and hope.

Obituary

We regret to inform you of the passing of:

  • Mrs. Veronica Clementina James of Richland Park and Cane Hall who died on 6th October, 2022. She was the Mother-in-law of Mrs. Pamela Stephen James- Diocesan Treasurer. We extend our deepest sympathy to Pamela her husband Nigel and other relatives and friends. The funeral takes place on Saturday 19th November, 2022. Viewing, Tributes and Eulogy begin at 10:00a.m. and the service at 11:00 a.m. at the St. John’s Roman Catholic Church, Mesopotamia.
  • Mr. Cecil Cornelius Black of La Croix who died on 22nd October, 2022. He was a member of the St. Matthias congregation, led the Parish Choir and served on the Parochial Church Council of the Parish of St. Philip, Mesopotamia with St. Matthias, Evesham and St. Joseph, Richland Park, St. Vincent and the Grenadines. We extend our deepest sympathy to his widow, children and other relatives and friends and the Parish of St. Philip, Mesopotamia. His funeral service is scheduled for Saturday 19th November, 2022 at the Evesham Methodist Church, according to Anglican rites. The Body lies at the Church from 11:00 a.m., tributes begin at noon. The service begins at 1:00 p.m. and burial at the St. Matthias Anglican Church yard cemetery.
  • Mr. Allan Budhlall of Morne Jaloux, St. George, Grenada who died on 26th October, 2022. He was a member of the Church of St. Vincent, Morne Jaloux, Parish of St. George with St. Alban, St Peter, St. Luke and St. Vincent, St. George’s, Grenada. He was a former member of the Parochial Church Council and was responsible for the operation, care and management of the public address system at the St. George’s Parish Church. In his earlier years he worked with the Windward Islands Broadcasting Service (WIBS). We extend our deepest sympathy to his widow-Sybil, children and other relatives and friends. His funeral service was on the 9th November, 2022.

To all who mourn, we pray that you may experience the comfort of God’s holy presence and know the consolation of God’s love.

Rest eternal grant unto Veronica, Cecil and Allan O’ Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercies of God, Rest In Peace. Amen.

Parochial Church Council Elections

Every Parish shall have a Church Council consisting of the Parish-Priest, the Assistant Clergy, the Lay Representatives of Synod, ICC Representatives and twelve other persons, six of whom shall be elected by the parish and six nominated by the Parish Priest.

Members of the Church Council shall be eighteen years or older and Communicants of the Parish. The Church Council shall hold office for one calendar year and elections shall be held annually for the purpose of electing a new Council. Election for the Church Council shall be held the second Sunday in December save that not less than fourteen days’ notice of such election shall always be given.

Communicant members of the Parish eighteen years of age or older shall have the right to vote at all Elections for persons to serve on the Church Council and the Island Church Council.

Nominations of persons to serve shall be given to the Parish Priest, in writing, seven days before the date for such election and should be signed by the Proposer and Seconder.

The Church Council may co-opt to its membership such persons who may be able to assist the Council in its business. Such members shall not have the right to vote.

With every good wish and God’s Blessings!

Yours sincerely,

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