Pentecost 2009 Pastoral Letter
 
The apostles were all together in one place. Acts 2:1
 
On this Day of Pentecost we have come to the end of the Season of Easter and entered the long season after Pentecost, a time when we look at the ministry of Christ as our own in the world.  Our discipleship during the Easter Season has equipped us with a sense of the mission and ministry to which the church of the twenty first century is called.  We will notice that the same mission Christ gave his followers when he was with them and the mission they carried out is the mission he has given us.  Throughout the whole Easter Season we had heard of the ministry of apostles and how those who were weak and frail before Easter became bold and courageous after Easter. Something must have happened in their encounter of the risen Lord that took away the fear of the adversary. We are the new Easter people who are called and commissioned to take Christ's name and ministry to the ends of the earth. May we, in fulfillment of our baptismal covenant, continue in the Apostles teaching and fellowship, seek and serve those whom Christ came to serve and commissioned us to also serve.
 
Since our Easter Pastoral Letter, a few things have happened in and around the diocese. The Rev. Fr. Gregory Gibson transferred his canonical residency to the Diocese of Barbados and was ordained to the Sacred Order of Priests on St Georges Day, April 23, 09. Canon Julian Clarke represented our Diocese and participated in the ordination service. Fr Gibson will continue to serve at St Peter's Anglican Church, while being fully engaged in a program of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) at Codrington College.
 
The Rev. Mr. Christopher Brathwaite, who transferred out of this diocese some time ago, will be ordained on May 30, 09, to the Sacred Order of Priests in the Diocese of Central Florida. In preparation for his ordination he completed Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) in the Diocese of Central, Florida.
 
Fr Wilfred & Gwendolyn Daniel will be on sabbatical from St John's Church effective May 31, 09 until August 31, 09 when they retire from active ministry. They will relocate to St Kitts, but keep their canonical residency in this diocese.  The vestry of St John's Church has asked Fr Robert and Charlotte Dendtler to become their Interim until they call a Priest.  We say thanks you and God bless you to the Daniels' for their ministry among us.
 
 St. Mary's Church is in the process of entering a six to eight months interim relationship with Fr Rick and Ann Belser beginning late June 2009.
The Vestry of St Luke's Church has signed an agreement to extend their former rector, Canon Lionel and Riisa Rymer's time with them until August 31, 09.
 
All Saints has extended indefinitely their agreement with Dean Thomas Gibbs III.
 
Fr. David Henry was appointed chairman of the Commission on Ministry.
 
There are two ad hoc Committees created in the diocese. One group is looking at our Diocesan Canons and Constitution with the view of revising them, thereby making them more relevant to this diocese.  The other group, consisting of clergy for the time being, is discussing possible ways to raise funds in anticipation of the time when the Episcopal Church stops subsidizing the diocese.  This is crucial as each triennium their apportionment decreases.
 
Three persons from this diocese were elected to various positions in our Province. Our Chancellor, Rosalie Simmonds-Ballentine was elected as the lay representative on the Provincial Council of the Province II.  Fr Edward Thompson was elected as Secretary; Bp Ambrose Gumbs was elected as the bishops' representative on the Provincial Council and also to serve on the Provincial Court of Review. We were also charged to appoint two persons to serve on an Anti-racism Network.  
 
Lastly, gold studded halos to the diocese for their representation at the 60th anniversary celebration of my birth at All Saints Cathedral on May 17, 09. The entire diocese was present at the service.
 
 Thanks to my wife, Phillis, and all those from across the St Thomas/St John Deanery, including the Regional Dean, the Rev. Dr. Wesley Williams who played an active roll in the preparation. Thanks to Edith Lake and the office staff and others for their help with the booklets and to Mr. Albert Lynch for the accompaniment. Thanks for the solo, "I will go in the strength of the Lord," by Mrs. Sharon Kendall and the duet, "Lord, I would own thy tender care," by Edlyn and DeAnalyn Gumbs.  It was evident that the choirs were prepared to lead the singing of some unfamiliar hymns. Thank you to the musicians and choirs for all your work to bring this to fruition. The men's groups from All Saints and St Andrew's are to be commended for their renditions! Thank you also is in order for Marcia Hodge, and Mary Alexis Rhymer and her crew who worked behind the scenes in preparing and sharing the meal that followed the Hymn sing.
 
 Lastly thanks to the interim rector, Dean Thomas Gibbs III and the Vestry and Wardens of The Cathedral Church of all Saints for making their sanctuary and parish hall available for the event. By most accounts it is an event that must be repeated across the diocese, of course, from another perspective since there is only one birthday a year. On the fifth anniversary of Ordination to the Episcopate, God willing, will be such a time for another hymn sing.  Until then, may we be of one mind in ministry and mission 'Come labor on, no time for rest till glows the western sky, till the long shadows o'er our pathway lie, and a glad sound comes with the setting sun, "Servants, well done."'