Anglican Church suspends services, ‘will go online’

From Barbados-

The Anglican Church has suspended services for the next two weeks, Bishop of Barbados the Right Reverend Michael Maxwell announced today.

n a release, Bishop Maxwell declared: “In our Government’s effort to minimise the rate of transmission of COVID-19, we have been requested to limit our social interaction and to ensure that any gathering of persons should not exceed 100 people.

“As a result, the Anglican Church recognises that it cannot be “business as usual” and therefore we need to change our modus operandi.”

No regular Sunday church services, namely Matins, Holy Eucharist and Evensong are to be held until Sunday April 5, for the time being, he said.

More here-

https://barbadostoday.bb/2020/03/20/anglican-church-suspends-services-will-go-online/

Anglican cleric: ‘Safe, legal abortion’ respects a woman’s right to life

From Barbados-

The church must find ways to “facilitate a respectful and protected space for all members of the society in so far as they do not breach the rights of others in terms of liberty and justice”, and this includes women’s rights to abortion, a senior Anglican cleric in Jamaica said here last night. 

“To deny a woman access to safe and legal abortion is clearly an affront to ethical health practices; respect for self-determination; and most of all, the woman’s right to life,” said the Very Reverend Father Sean Major-Campbell, Dean of Kingston and Rector of Christ Church in Vineyard Town. 

“It seems most appropriate for the woman to be the final decision-maker in the matter since she is the greater burden bearer; since she really bears the challenge alone; since her physical, psychological, and emotional investments would far outweigh that of the father, doctor, pastor, and so on.”

More here-

https://barbadostoday.bb/2020/02/13/anglican-cleric-safe-legal-abortion-respects-a-womans-right-to-life/

The Story of Rev. Reginald Grant Barrow

From Barbados-

As we commence the celebration of We Gathering 2020 – a year to rediscover who we Barbadians really are as a people, to recommit to our core values and to meaningfully deepen the connection between our island nation and its Diaspora – it behoves us to reflect on some of the significant contributions made by heroic “Diaspora Bajans” to the countries that they migrated to and how those contributions ultimately redounded to the benefit of their Barbadian homeland.

And since We Gathering 2020 is commencing in the parish of St Lucy in the month of the centenary of the birth of the Rt Excellent Errol Walton Barrow – a native of the parish of St Lucy – what better historical personality could there be to start with than the father of Errol Walton Barrow – Bishop Reginald Grant Barrow!

More here-

https://barbadostoday.bb/2020/01/03/the-story-of-rev-reginald-grant-barrow/

‘Fight crime – return to God’

From Barbados-

Anglican Bishop Rt Rev Michael Maxwell has said society’s move away from God and a failure to address the young people’s problems are to blame for the crime wave sweeping the country.

And he has called for early intervention in homes and schools to fight a “systemic problem” and for Barbados to return to God.

Bishop Michael said: “I firmly believe that we are faced with a situation where Almighty God and the things of God are no longer taken seriously, no longer acknowledged and regarded as important, hence the economic, the social and the moral issues facing our nation as a result.

“As a result, many of our young men and women have not been nurtured, have not been guided by the basic tenets of love and respect for their lives and for the lives of others, nor even for the love and respect of their creator God.

“They are not being so nurtured because of the breakdown and failures of our societal system in terms of the important role that the home and the religious institutions and the school system and even the political structures have failed to offer our young people.”

More here-

https://barbadostoday.bb/2019/02/28/fight-crime-return-to-god/

Reverend Michael Maxwell ordained Anglican Bishop

From Barbados-

Scores of people gathered at the Garfield Sobers Sports Complex on Saturday evening to witness the ordination of Reverend Michael Bruce St John Maxwell as the 14^th Bishop of Anglican Diocese of Barbados.

Maxwell, the rector of the Holy Trinity Church, was appointed last November by the regional House of Bishops after elections between with the Dean of the Cathedral of St Michael and All Angels, the Very Rev. Jeffrey Gibson and the rector of St George Parish Church, the Rev. John Rogers ended in a deadlock several times.

His ordination and consecration comes 11 months after former Bishop and Archbishop of the West Indies The Most Reverend Dr John Holder retired on February 28, 2018.

Hundreds of the Anglican faith were present to watch as the rector of Holy Trinity Church in St Philip received the pectoral cross, ring and staff from Senior Bishop Reverend Errol Brooks, Bishop of North Eastern Caribbean and Aruba.

Governor General Dame Sandra Mason, Chief Justice Sir Martson Gibson, and other dignitaries including Minister of Labour, Social Security and Human Resources, Colin Jordan; Minister of People’s Empowerment and Elder Affairs Cynthia Forde, and former Prime Minister Freundel Stuart, attended the ceremony.

More here-

https://barbadostoday.bb/2019/01/27/reverend-michael-maxwell-ordained-anglican-bishop/

Senators to Bishop-designate: Stay with us.

From Barbados-

Newly named as Anglican Bishop of Barbados, Reverend Michael Maxwell has been urged not to resign from his position as an Independent Senator.

The call came from several of his colleagues in the Upper House today, including President of the Senate Sir Richard Cheltenham and Opposition Senator Caswell Franklyn, as they congratulated him on his elevation to the head of the former state church.

Maxwell had signalled his intention to discuss his position with Governor General Dame Sandra Mason before making a decision on his future in the Upper Chamber.

The 47-year-old Rector of Holy Trinity Church was chosen by the House of Bishops in the Church of the Province of the West Indies last Friday to head the island’s largest religious denomination. This follows months of deadlock as the Anglican Synod could not choose one of two contenders.

More here-

https://barbadostoday.bb/2018/11/22/senators-to-bishop-designate-stay-with-us/

Search for new Anglican Bishop enters another stage

From Barbados-

The quest for a new cleric to lead the island’s largest congregation officially entered its next stage this evening when the House of Bishops of the Anglican Church of the Province of the West Indies met with members of the laity, another of its three decision-making chambers.

The meeting, held at the Ivan Harewood Centre at the Christ Church Parish Church, paves the way for a meeting with the House of Clergy this week, with a decision by the bishops expected by weekend on the next steps to end the protracted battle between two priests to lead the Diocese of Barbados.

“At this meeting, we listened to the views of the House of Laity, and on Thursday we will get together with the House of Clergy at Codrington College,” said Senior Bishop Errol Brooks, just after the meeting he chaired had concluded.

More here-

https://barbadostoday.bb/2018/10/02/search-for-new-anglican-bishop-enters-another-stage/

 

Anglican Priest Denounced for Telling Gays the Bible Is Just 'Silly Words'

From CBN-

An Anglican priest on the Caribbean island of Barbados has been strongly condemned for giving his public support and encouragement to the LGBT community and attacking the Bible in the process.

At a gay pride parade last week, Father Clifford Hall told marchers that nothing can stop their movement, "...legions of Pharisees won't stop it... the roaring lion won't stop it. And some silly words written in a book thousands of years ago won't stop it." 

His words were met by loud applause from parade attendees. Hall also told them they were accepted into the "flock of Christ" and that God is willing to give them the Kingdom.  

He also claimed that homosexuality has "always been part of the natural order of things."

In a separate opinion piece for the Barbados Daily Nation, entitled "Time to Live free from Shame," Hall encouraged the local LGBT group to "assert yourselves unapologetically. Write your letters...hold public Christian services...don't be afraid. There are those who will support you – in the name of Jesus."

More here-

http://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2018/august/anglican-priest-denounced-for-telling-gays-the-bible-is-just-silly-words

Still no new Anglican bishop

From Barbados-

After more than three hours of deliberations and three rounds of voting, the elective synod of the Anglican Church was still at a stalemate Thursday night in its effort to select a bishop for Barbados. 

A fourth attempt will be made.

Seventy-three clergy and 82 representatives of the laity cast ballots which again failed to secure the two-thirds majority required by either Dean Dr Jeffrey Gibson or Reverend John Rogers. 

The atmosphere at the Christ Church Parish Centre where the synod meeting took place was at times heavily charged, as both sides became very vocal in their views. 

In the first ballot of the evening, Rogers received 30 votes from the clergy and 59 from the laity while Gibson got 43 votes from the clergy and 23 from the laity.

 More here-

http://www.nationnews.com/nationnews/news/165039/anglican-bishop

Third try to elect bishop

From Barbados-

THE ELECTIVE SYNOD of the Anglican Church meets today in the third attempt to select a bishop.

The meeting, scheduled for 5:30 p.m. at the Christ Church Parish Centre, will again bring together laity and clergy to vote for the person who will lead the denomination that boasts the largest religious numbers in Barbados.

Many are hoping that the stalemate from the two previous meetings will be broken today when the process of nominating candidates is repeated.

At the previous meetings of the synod, members of the House of Laity stood firm in their support for 45-year-old John Rogers, the younger of the two candidates nominated, while the priests who make up the House of Clergy, have twice cast their majority vote for Dean of St Michael’s Cathedral, 61-year-old Dr Jeffrey Gibson.

 More here-

http://www.nationnews.com/nationnews/news/164802/try-elect-bishop

Anglican Church still divided over new bishop

From Barbados-

After two sittings separated by 19 days and 16 hours of voting, the Anglican Church here is no closer to electing a bishop to lead the Barbadian flock.

The House of Clergy and the House of Laity aborted yet another attempt today, having failed to reach consensus after six hours of voting.

They ended today in the same position as they did on April 25 after ten hours of voting and four ballots at the Ivan Harewood Centre of the Christ Church Parish Church to choose a successor to the retired John Holder.

As it did back then, the laity continued to throw its support behind youthful candidate Rev John Rogers, 45, rector of St George Parish Church, while the clergy backed his senior, Dr Jeffrey Gibson, 61, dean of The Cathedral of St Michael’s and All Angels.

More here-

https://barbadostoday.bb/2018/05/14/anglican-church-still-divided-over-new-bishop/

Anglicans must try again

From Barbados-

After an entire day of deliberations and four rounds of voting, the Anglican Church last night failed to elect a new bishop.

There were indications that a hard line was drawn between clergy and laity in the selection of a candidate, as ballot after ballot showed clergy leaning more heavily towards Dean Dr Jeffrey Gibson, while the laity maintained overwhelming support for the younger Rev John Rogers.

The elective synod, comprising Anglican priests who make up the House of Clergy, and members of the congregations who are called the House of Laity, began the process with a religious service at Christ Church Parish Church at 9:30 a.m.

Four candidates were nominated for election when the voting process started around 5 p.m. They were Gibson, Rogers, Dr Monrelle Williams and Canon Noel Burke.

More here-

http://www.nationnews.com/nationnews/news/151581/anglicans-try

and here-

http://www.loopnewsbarbados.com/content/new-anglican-bishop-be-elected-today

Critical election for Anglican Church

From Barbados-

On Wednesday, the 14th Bishop of Barbados will be chosen by an Elective Synod of the Anglican Diocese at the Ivan Harewood Centre adjoining the Christ Church Parish. The successful candidate will succeed the Most Rev. Dr John Holder, who retired at the end of February as the Diocesan and Archbishop of the West Indies upon reaching the mandatory age of 70.

Dr Holder had been at the helm of the local diocese since 2000 and for the last eight years, he doubled as primate of the Province of the West Indies. It was in 2009 that regional bishops elevated him as the successor to the Most Rev. Drexel Gomez, a Bahamian who was chosen by regional bishops in 1972 to fill the Barbados See.

Rev. Gomez [stepped into that role] after the Elective Synod failed to agree on a replacement to the late Lewis Evans when he retired as Bishop.

More here-

https://barbadostoday.bb/2018/04/24/critical-election-for-anglican-church/

Anglican Church reaches out to community

From Barbados-

The Anglican Church today unveiled a community outreach initiative, in response to worrying social ills.

Speaking today at the Christ the King Anglican Church, Rock Dundo, St Michael, spokesman for the Intentional Ministry Initiative Reverend Von Watson told reporters that Warrens had been chosen for the pilot programme since it was seen as the fastest growing area of the island.

“We are saying the Anglican Church is here for you. It is really about meeting the needs of people, rather than merely offering religious services,” Watson said, without giving an official launch date for the programme which will take place at Massy Warrens.

Also briefing reporters, Anglican Bishop of Barbados and Archbishop of the West Indies Dr John Holder said it was hoped that coming out of the initiative, there will be a greater reflection of Christian living.

More here-

https://www.barbadostoday.bb/2017/04/01/anglican-church-reaches-out-to-community/

Help our youth

From Barbados-

Anglican clergyman Reverend John Rogers has urged Barbadians to step out and help guide the nation’s youth as he underscored the need for mentorship in the society.

Speaking at a church service this morning at his St George Parish Church to launch National Youth Week, Reverend Rogers questioned whether adults had created a void in the society by not mentoring and helping to guide young people.

“Have we created a void for our young people? Is there a case where we did not pass down the lessons that we were taught? We often talk about attending Sunday School as children and all we have learnt, why aren’t we enforcing that for our children? Have we broken the line of transmission?” Rogers questioned.

More here-

http://www.barbadostoday.bb/2016/09/25/help-our-youth/

Bishop of Barbados: Anglican church alive and well

From Barbados-

Far from slowly dying, the Anglican Church in Barbados is healthy, says Bishop of Barbados Dr John Holder.

The Bishop told Starcom Network Inc. yesterday it was a matter of people choosing which Sunday to attend church.

“I think the Anglican Church in Barbados is healthy,” he said. “The strength is there on the ground, in the parishes. What we normally have in our church is sometimes persons choosing which Sunday, or which hour on a Sunday, they would attend. So you would never get all of them at the same time in the same place.”

Holder, who is also Archbishop of the West Indies, said this had been a regular practice by members of the Anglican faith “for a long time”.

He was responding to Anglican priest David Yarde’s comment that the church appeared to be slowly dying as it was losing members worldwide, with churches overseas being turned into department stores, pubs, theatres and schools.

More here-

http://www.stabroeknews.com/2011/news/breaking-news/09/27/bishop-of-barbados-anglican-church-alive-and-well/

Reach out to someone

The Bishop of Barbados reflects on Christmas. (It's overcast and 3o degrees here. Barbados is looking pretty good right now!)

We see in all of this all the traces of what it is to be human. We can identify with all the characters in the story. They are like us; frail mortal and human.

It is this acknowledgment that helps us to understand Christmas as God's greatest act of reaching out to humanity. And the mixture of human characteristics reflected in the Christmas story does not scare God away.

He becomes all wrapped up in our humanity with all its elements of frailty.

Christmas is a celebration of God's response to these difficult and sometimes frustrating human challenges. We too with His grace, can respond to all the challenges that we may be facing at this time in our lives.

But most of all let us reach out and help someone who may be dealing with a difficult challenge in their life at this time. Reach out and help. This may be the greatest gift you can offer them this Christmas. May God grant you a blessed Christmas and may His grace be with you each and every day of the coming year.

http://www.nationnews.com/story/309391305076414.php