To: Clergy and People
From: The Bishop
21st October, 2019

Greetings!

Conference

I hope to be out of the Diocese from 23rd October, 2019 to attend the Latin America and Caribbean Partnership Meeting/Conference in Curitiba, Brazil, The Very Rev’d O Samuel Nichols, Dean St. George’s Cathedral, Kingstown, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Mrs. Jacqueline Callender-Theophile, Parish of The Holy Trinity, Castries, St. Lucia will also be attending the conference. During my absence the Venerable Christian Glasgow will have oversight of the Diocese.

Appointment

The Rev’d Fr. Junior Ballantyne has been appointed Rector of the Parish of The Holy Trinity, Georgetown with St. John, Holy Name, St. Peter, St. Luke and Byera Chapel, St. Vincent and the Grenadines with effect from 1st November, 2019. Fr. Ballantyne will take up the appointment on 1st December, 2019. The service of Institution and Induction is scheduled for 5:00pm on Tuesday 28th January, 2020 being the feast of John Chrysostom, Bishop and Teacher, 407(tr.) at the Holy Trinity Parish Church, Georgetown. Your prayers and presence are requested.

Congratulations

I invite you to join me in congratulating Her Excellency Mrs. Dawn Smith, wife of the Very Rev’d Ulric Smith (emeritus), on her appointment as Governor General’s Deputy in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. I pray God’s blessings and guidance on her as she takes up this responsibility.

40th  Anniversary of Independence

St. Vincent and the Grenadines celebrates it’s 40th anniversary of Independence on Sunday 27th October, 2019. We pray God’s continued guidance and blessings on Her Excellency Mrs. Susan Dougan, Governor General, Dr. The Honourable Ralph E. Gonsalves, Prime Minister, Dr. The Honourable Godwin Friday, Leader of the Opposition, all members of cabinet, Parliamentarians and the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Happy Independence.

Obituary

We have been informed of the passing of Mrs. Evelyn Jackson of Questelles, St. Vincent and the Grenadines who died on 11th October, 2019 and was buried on Thursday 17th October, 2019 at the St. George’s Cathedral cemetery. Mrs. Jackson was a former member of the Parochial Church Council of the Cathedral Parish of ST. George and St. Andrew and a member of the Commission on Ministry in the Archdeaconry of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. We extend our deepest sympathy to her children Leslie, Karen and José, other relatives and friends.

We have learnt of the passing of Mr. Gorvit Laidlow of Canouan, St. Vincent and the Grenadines who died on 11th October, 2019. He was the uncle of Ms. Hannah Laidlow, Assistant Diocesan Treasurer. We extend our sympathy to Hannah other relatives and friends.

 We have learnt of the passing of Ms. Zita Friday of Bequia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines who died on 17th October, 2019. She was the mother of Dr. the Honourable Godwin Friday, Leader of the Opposition, St. Vincent and the Grenadines. We extend our sympathy to Dr. the Honourable Godwin Friday and Mrs. Friday and family, other relatives and friends.

We have learnt of the passing of Mr. Edward Thomas of Grand Bras, St. Andrew, Grenada who died on 3rd October, 2019. He was a former member of the Parochial Church Council, Priest warden for several years, and Island Church Council representative of the Parish of St. Andrew, Grenville, Grenada. We extend our sympathy to his siblings Martin, Kenneth, Caroline and Hilda 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 those who have died, and may light perpetual shine upon them. May they and the souls of the faithful departed through the mercies of God, 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