Wednesday, April 8, 2015

I’m actually writing this on Saturday, the 11^th, and find that many of the details have escaped my memory.  But the days were too packed for me to write regularly.  Wednesday morning worship was led by Rev. Lena Laing, the woman beside whom I’ve sat for the last two years, who plays a mean tambourine.  We read Psalm 136 responsively, something I’d never noticed before.  Rev. Miriam Brooks-Malcolm brought the morning message.  Rev. Brooks would later lead an afternoon devotional service and she was kind enough to write down the words to four songs for me.  I will copy them in later.  She preached from Psa 136 and from Habakkuk; from what I could tell, the gist of her message had to do with Habbakuk asking how long and the Lord answering.  I thought she used Habakkuk 3:17 as the focus verse, concentrating on the omnipotence of God, despite external evidence.  She then continued on citing a series of Habakkuk questioning God about various tests and God’s responses, summing up with an admonition to look to the future, secured by the Promise of the God who is the Joy of Our Salvation! 

Conference business went on with Choruses by Evangelist Leslie (this may be where Rev. Brooks led the songs), followed by Pastoral reports from each of the main districts.  As I stated in previous years,  this CME church in Jamaica is composed of people from a variety of faith traditions.  Sometimes the Annual Conference (now to be followed by an annual Teaching meeting in November) is the place where they are introduced to matters of CME doctrine and polity.  Indeed, in his answers and discussions, I saw Bishop Reddick weave together Christian doctrine, Methodist history and tradition, and CME polity.  The disciplinary questions, then, took on an instructional aspect. Given my role as a teacher, and my thoughts on the importance of proper instruction both in general Christian formation and in the training of preachers, this is always of special interest to me.

At the same time, the Bishop addressed practical issues, even interweaving some of his personal experiences (this particularly concerning the “efficacy” of baptism and why there is never a need for a “second” one.  I could not listen to the discussion without being reminded of the Donatist controversy in the early church:  were the sacraments of “traditores” still effective?) .  What I took away from this is that people still, without proper teaching, are inclined to look  at the outward benefits or manifestations of Christianity without understanding the cost or commitment.

Bishop Reddick challenged the assembled group to procure/provide Sunday School literature for Jamaica for this 2015 year. (I have an idea to discuss with the missionaries about supplies for the kids in our schools, perhaps a better-thought-out-idea than the one about computers).

Bible Study was from Acts 8.  Yesterday we learned about Simon the Sorcerer and his cheap tricks.  The story continued today, again noting that he focused on external signs of Christianity, that he fell in love with the Power of the Holy Spirit, but not with the Cause or the Positive Effects of the Holy Spirit. Rev. Spragin discussed Simon, Philip, and the Ethiopian Eunuch (and, I believe Candake), once again in their socio-political context.  Apparently I got caught up in it, because my notes are nearly unintelligible.  Net net:  Philip used the presence of the Holy Spirit to speak about Jesus the Christ.  Likewise, when we preach, we need to do the same.  Preaching needs a subject and an object; the object is Jesus the Christ, and the Subject needs to (be able to) respond. 

He ended the study speaking of how, after converting the Ethiopian Eunuch, Philip moved to Ashdod.  Once there, his response was “OK, now that I’m here, what is it God wants me to do?”  He left us to ponder the question of who is God calling US to minister to, to preach to, and to Set Free?

My notes for the rest of the day are a bit jumbled.  We were visited by the McIntyre family from Georgia, and Rev. McIntyre brought us a word from Acts 8:26.  She spoke on a topic very close to my heart:  “It’s not the Destination, It’s the Journey.”

After another delightful lunch, we had group sessions, and after that we reassembled for business:  the Committee reported and there were various other reports.  Closing Worship was led by Mr. Rawlston Rowe, the District Lay Leader, and the evening message was brought by Brother Cosmo Grant, who came from Matthew 25:1-13.  His sermon title was “Ready Waiting.”  He told us that we are to be prepared, ready, and waiting to do what God calls us to do.  We will encounter those who are negative or unprepared, but if we properly prepare ourselves,  the Grace of God will get us through. Like the wise virgins, the church must hold on and stay focused.  He used an extraordinary sermon illustration to remind us how we must always Pray First, Aim High, and Stay Focused!!!

By now, the routine has settled in.  We go back to the hotel, have dinner, piddle around trying to post our pics, and go to bed.  I believe this is the night that I was able to Skype with Danny, and he got to see and greet Bishop and Mrs. Reddick and Pastor Burns.  I’m a little bummed to know that I won’t see him in CR; he has a gig and will be away, so I’ll hit CR on Sunday (if I ever remember to let Sophi know when I’m coming in), I think chill with her for a day or maybe go down to Quepos and go parasailing for Monday, then leave out early Tuesday morning for Tortuguero.  I should be back from Tortuguero on Thursday, and would like to chillax until I leave on Friday.  We shall see.

So Wednesday night was Wednesday night, and then we are heading into our last day of worship,  The final morning meditation was led by Rev. Gloria Rowe.  She took her text from Matthew 28: 1-20, reminding us of “Our Journey.”  We don’t know the day nor the hour, but Jesus is coming, so keep on journeying on.

Pics from the day can be found here:

Some videos can be found here:
Good News CME Youth Praise Dance, Pt. 1
https://youtu.be/iwAMB6Z0fcM

Good News CME Youth Praise Dance,Pt. 2
https://youtu.be/9XsA1LO9hCg

praise dance feat. Bishop and Mrs. Reddick
https://youtu.be/Hhroim0jIRA

Revive Us Again
https://youtu.be/YUMohOTtRN0

Don't come knocking, v.2
https://youtu.be/5RvAdsbaDBA

Don't Come Knocking
https://youtu.be/KxYlM8G12oI

Evangelist Gloria Leslie leads choruses
https://youtu.be/9oS2xQF6DfM

Even Me
https://youtu.be/qs_3S68kHo0

Break Every Chain/We Are Soldiers/I am a Warrior medley
Youth dancing
https://youtu.be/V7KpLhScoHQ