Service for shut-ins was a blessing

Editor: I write to thank the Anglican clergy for having organised a special service at the Cathedral for the senior citizens/shut-ins in the Kingstown vicinity. They showered praises to God for having brought them thus far. It was a timely service. At the end light refreshments were served by members of the Pastoral Care and Counselling Committee. Truly a time of refreshment. I thank Father McIntosh, Dean of the Anglican Rectory for being the good shepherd. {{more}} His sermon was taken from John 10:1-14.

There are however, a few regrets, sadly that more shut-ins did not attend. I think there could have been at least one van leaving each parish to take senior citizens to church. Had the service been more publicised, more persons would have been in attendance if even it meant providing their own transportation. Enough effort was not made by parishioners to get persons to church.

The senior citizens are almost forgotten persons and this should have been a most excellent break for them, a time to be included, to be pampered and showered with love; unfortunately some will still not wish to be included, but for those who look forward to being invited out, especially to church, it would be sad for us to miss such an opportunity.

Regrettably also, is the fact that there was not a choir in attendance. This would have added much cheer for persons. Music is such a powerful language; it soothes, it stimulates and good gospel heals, as it dispels loneliness.

For our shut-ins it is marrow for the bones, as God is being exalted. What an impact the Kingstown Chorale would have made! Even without a rehearsal they would have added impetus to the sing-along and worship session. Fortunately, many members of the Chorale are also members of the Anglican Fraternity.

The gathering of the senior citizens could have been a good opportunity for ‘happy’ weekend reading that would have been a change from the norm, where we are growing accustomed to reading of all the works from the satanic domain, in the weekend news. Since the New Year has chimed in there has been added impetus in satanic activity. We have even been losing our young, strong sons; lives are being snuffed out by the enemy of our souls as satanic works increase in this nation. We need strong, God-fearing persons to fight the good fight of faith – not Sunday morning Christians who attend church with their own agendas. In our society and in the world, the spiritual warfare is real and we need real spiritual persons of great faith to storm Satan’s domain and establish the kingdom of God here on earth. I thank the Police Commissioner for calling out the nation to march and to pray last Sunday afternoon.

The media missed a chance to photograph and speak with some of the God-fearing men and women of the nation who attended this service on Thurs. 26th, Jan at the St. George’s Cathedral. Our relatives and friends abroad would certainly have enjoyed a whiff of fresh air coming out of St. Vincent. There is still a lot of good will and sanity left in our midst.

I end with three verses from the first Epistle of Paul written to Timothy: He says; “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God who gives us richly all things to enjoy; that they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.” 1 Tim. 6:17-19.

Sonja Israel