Jamaica: Sad News and Happy Times
Jamaica’s ecclesias mourned two elderly sisters in 2016 and rejoiced at the baptism of a young woman at May Pen.
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We are saddened to report that Sister Cecelyn Salmon of the Mount Pleasant Ecclesia fell asleep in the Lord on February 13th. She was almost 90 years old — born on April 29, 1927. She was a long-time visitor at the ecclesia, since its first campaign in 2001. After responding to the gospel message, Cecelyn was baptized on December 8, 2013. She was a kind and caring person, and known to be a principled lady. Her presence is indeed missed. Unfortunately, due to dwindling membership, the Mount Pleasant Ecclesia no longer holds regular services. The few members receive occasional visits from members of the Round Hill Ecclesia and other overseas visitors, and at the same time have opportunity to attend the numerous annual CBMJ sponsored events.
We are also sorry at the loss of another one of our elder sisters in Jamaica, who fell asleep in the Lord. She was a long-time member of the Argyle Mountain Ecclesia, which has been decreasing in size for a number of years. Sister Icyline Grant was baptized September 8, 1991, and passed away on August 4, 2016 at the age 81 — born May 19, 1935. Her husband Brother Levi Grant fell asleep some years ago — he was recording brother of the Argyle Ecclesia for a period of time. This leaves three active sisters in this meeting — Vera Gordon, Janetta Campbell and Maxine Thompson — who regularly attend CBMJ sponsored events. These sisters appreciate pastoral ministrations, and visitors are welcomed at the well-maintained and clean ecclesial hall.
At the same time, we are thrilled about the baptism of a 19 year young woman and neighborhood Sunday School scholar at the May Pen Ecclesia on Sunday August 7, 2016, Shaddae Bonnick. She attended SS since about 14 and now through the waters of baptism has begun a new life in Christ and has hope of eternal life at his return! We earnestly pray for the second coming of our Lord to this troubled world, when all his faithful ones — those who are ‘asleep’ in Christ and those who are still on their sojourn — will share the glories of the Millennium and the ages.
We thank overseas brothers and sisters for their prayers and helpful on-island support, in these last days. Special gratitude is extended to the Christadelphian Save the Children Fund (CSTCF) in Ontario, Canada, for the annual shipment of barrels full of Sunday School supplies ready for September study season start-up. This year more items to help with practical daily living needs were included — which are much appreciated. May we all be found occupied in dedicated service and thus worthy when our Lord returns!
Reported by Don Luff, CBMC Jamaica Linkman
Submitted by Jan Berneau, CBMA/CBMC Publicity