To: Clergy and People
From: The Bishop
1st July, 2021

Greetings, grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ!

Newly ordained Deacons

I invite you to join me in congratulating the Rev’d Ms. Keba Cuffy and the Rev’d Ms. Khadisha Smart on their ordination to the Diaconate yesterday, 29th June 2021, being the feast of St. Peter and St. Paul, Apostles. I pray God’s guidance on them as they begin this new ministry among us.                                                                        

First Class Honours

The Principal of Codrington College, Barbados, the Rev’d Dr. Michael Clarke, has informed me that The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill, Barbados, recently awarded the Rev’d Ms. Khadisha Smart a First Class Honours Degree B.A. Theology. I invite you to join me in congratulating her on this achievement. Te Deum Laudamus.

Vacation

This is a reminder that I hope to be on one month’s vacation from Monday 5th July 2021. I don’t intend to travel outside the diocese. During this period, the Venerable Christian Glasgow will have oversight of the diocese.

Assistance Re-Volcanic Eruption

We continue to receive requests for assistance from persons who have been affected by the explosive eruption of the La Soufriere Volcano. Most of these are through their respective Parish priest. The parishes most affected are The Parish of the Holy Trinity, Georgetown with St. John, Owia, Holy Name, Sandy Bay, St. Peter, Mt Grennan, St. Luke, Park Hill, and Byera Chapel on the North East and St. Patrick, Barrouallie with St. David, Chateaubelair, Our Lady of Perpetual Succour, Spring Village, All Saints, Rose Bank and Mary Magdalene, Coulls Hill on the West and North West. We are grateful for the support we have received both in-kind and finance from individuals, groups, organisations, churches, and dioceses, locally, regionally and internationally, which have enabled us to provide some assistance to those affected. We have set up a Committee to advise on how we can respond to people’s needs and assist in rebuilding their lives in the medium and long term. Your assistance will be greatly appreciated. Please see the attached bank information.

Eucharistic Ministers and Non-Stipendiary Deacons

I hope to proceed with the Eucharistic Ministers first and then with Non-Stipendiary Deacons. Next, I’ll send Application forms to Incumbents        who recommended members of their parish to be given to them to be filled out and returned to me. An interview will follow this, and those selected will be required to attend training sessions before being Licensed. Hopefully, this will be completed by September/October 2021.

Archdeaconry Family Day

Archdeaconry Family Day in the Archdeaconry of St. Vincent and the Grenadines was celebrated on Sunday, 27th June 2021. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Archdeaconry Family Day Committee recommended that members remain in their respective parishes and focus on the family during worship on that Sunday. The focus was on giving hope and encouragement to families in these challenging times, and the Church’s response and the theme: Families- Being Transmitters of Hope In These Trying Times.

Parishes were reminded to adhere to the protocols – Recommended Numbers, Face Mask, Physical Distancing, Temperature Checks and Sanitising at the entrance and all others. Parishes were encouraged to include liturgical dance, anthems, songs, poetry, instrumentals, and other items by individuals, groups or families.

Prayers

The Rev’d Alison Samuel has been granted a further twenty-eight days of sick leave by her doctor following one for seven days. I ask your prayers for her at this time..

With every good wish and God’s blessings!

Your sincerely

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