To: Clergy and People
From: The Bishop
23rd October, 2020
Greetings!
41st Anniversary of Independence
St. Vincent and the Grenadines celebrates· its forty first anniversary of Independence on Tuesday 27th October, 2020. I ask your prayers for Her Excellency Dame Susan Dougan our Governor General, Dr. the Honourable Ralph E. Gonsalves, Prime Minister and Dr. The Honourable Godwin Friday, Leader of the Opposition. Parliamentarians and people. Happy Independence!
Collect for Independence
O God our Father, whose will it is that your people should live in ordered societies; inspire the people of this nation with the spirit of justice, truth and love; and so guide our leaders, and all who make decisions on our behalf, that they may direct our affairs in righteousness and peace; that we may live in peace and harmony and to your honour and glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit: one God now and forever.
The following lessons with the collect above may be used this Sunday or on Tuesday:
Old Testament Lesson -Deuteronomy 8: 11- 20
Psalm 146: 4-9
Hebrews 11: 8 -16
Mark 12: 13-17
There will be a service at the Kingstown Methodist Church 4:00pm this Sunday to mark the Forty First Anniversary of Independence, all are invited, it will be broadcast live on NBC Radio, streamed live as well on Youtube. See the attached.
Novena
I am asking you to join me in observing a Novena in preparation for General
Elections in St. Vincent and the Grenadines scheduled for Thursday 5th, November, 2020. The Novena will commence on Tuesday 27th October, and end on Wednesday 4th November, 2020. I am asking you to kindly use the attached litany at morning or evening prayer or at the celebration of the Holy Eucharist.
COVID-19
I take this opportunity to remind you that the COVID-19 Pandemic is still with us, it is true that we have to learn to live with it however we cannot lt down our guards and I also stress the need for continued strict compliance with all of the protocols currentiy in place in the three states that make up the diocese. In each Archdeaconry after a period of no active cases we now have active ca es in each of them. Please see the attached.
COVID-19 updates for St. Vincent & the Grenadines, St. Lucia and Grenada.
Obituary
We have been informed of the passing of the Rev’d Fr. Coleridge Brooker’s sister in-law Sonia P. Brooker of St. Simon’s, St. Andrew, Barbados a retired employee of the Embassy of USA. She was buried on 2nd of October 2020. Left to mourn three children (2 sons and a daughter), and also of the passing of another sisters-in-law Marcia Philip of Kingston, Christ Church, she spent 37 years in the USA. Died on Sunday 18th October 2020. Left to mourn her husband.
We extend our deepest sympathy to the Rev’d Fr. & Mrs. Coleridge Brooker and family other relatives and friends.
We have also been informed of the passing of Frances Yvette “Dotsy” Lewis/Smith of 1381 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, New York, USA, formerly of Kingstown, St. Vincent and the Grenadines who died on Tuesday 20th October, 2020. She worshipped t St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Village of Flatbush, New York. She was the sister of The Rev’d Mr. Kenwyck Lewis.
We extend our deepest sympathy to The Rev’d Mr. Kenwyck Lewis and Family, Mrs. Janice Fraser and Family other relatives and friends.
May all who mourn experience the comfort of God’s Holy Presence and know the consolation of God’s love. Amen.
Rest eternal grant unto Sonia, Marcia and “Dotsy” O Lord and Let light perpetual shine upon them. May thy 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