Contents• Mr. Luker visits Trinidad 1-2

Spring Holy Days:

• St. Lucia - Food, Fun

and Fellowship 2

• Freeport, Bahamas - Faithful,

Strong and Joyous 3-4

Uniting the Island Churches

Mr. Luker visits Trinidad

President Dennis Luker and his wife LeeAnn along with the Minister for the area, Chuck Smith and his wife Mary, spent the Sabbath of March 24 with brethren in the Trinidad and Tobago congregation. The group flew in on Friday afternoon for a three day visit and was met at the airport by Mr. Dale Bissessar.

It was the first visit to the Caribbean for the Lukers and they were warmly welcomed by all the brethren.

Following a Sermonette on “The Love of God”, Mr. Luker delivered a sermon on “Forgiveness”, a quality which he said was vital for us as Christians especially as we approach Passover. Forgiveness brings healing to our lives knowing that God has blotted out our sins, he said. It involves each person God is calling to become humble, admitting the extent of his faults and accepting the need for Christ’s sacrifice. Mr. Luker said, “it is a blessing to know that we can walk around guilt free knowing that God has forgiven our sins.”

– Continued on Page 2

Summer 2012

Serving you brethren in the Caribbean is a delightful assignment for Joy and me.

You are wonderful friends to us! Thank you so much for

your loyalty to Jesus Christ and serving Him and God the Father!

A recent trip to Aruba was enlightening. We have a few very interested people there who dearly loving God’s Word. Did you know Aruba has on old gold mine? When I saw it I was reminded of what a gold mine all of you are to our Father. God has “mined” you and established you as lights in the Caribbean. As we work together for the future of God’s work through the United Church of God, we must always remember the prime directive, “Seek the Kingdom!” This newsletter will serve us all as we collectively move forward towards the Kingdom.

Chuck Zimmerman,

Director, Caribbean

chuck_zimmerman@ucg.org

The spring Holy Day season began with a wonderful Passover service. In attendance were 9 participants and 3 observers.

On the day before, some members had a delightful visit with Mrs. Ruby Mortley, age 82. She had requested a visit, and it was our pleasure to oblige. Mrs. Mortley had written a detailed agenda for the visit, which included opening prayer, a hymn, which she copied out by hand from an old WWCG Hymnal, opening remarks, an address by her as the hostess, her questions for the minister, a closing hymn to be sung by the minister’s wife, a prayer of blessing upon her and her home, and refreshments.

Food, Fun and Fellowship

Freeport, Bahamas members had an inspiring and positive beginning to the spring Holy Day season. The spring season began with a sunset Passover service, on April 5, with the intimate group of baptized members. Newly baptized member, Henry Brice Williams, 74 years old, was baptized in March 2012. Mr. Williams was able to fully partake in the Passover service for the first time. He has been attending for over 30 years. – Continued on Page 4

Faithful, Strong and Joyous

President Luker and Minister Chuck Smith took the occasion to ordain Dale Bissessar to the office of Deacon during Sabbath services. Dale has functioned in a caretaker role since the split in the Church last year ensuring that its functions are carried out efficiently. He is married with three children, two daughters (who handle the audio-visual and PA functions) and a son.

After a spread lunch that included a selection of local East Indian delicacies prepared by the brethren, Chuck Smith led a vibrant interactive Bible Study on the parable of the Prodigal Son to round off the spiritual food served up for the occasion.

The Lukers, along with Chuck and Mary, spent the rest of the Sabbath fellowshipping with the

brethren. The interaction was reinforced at a picnic at the La Vega Nature Park in Central Trinidad on the Sunday when the brethren treated the Lukers to a sampling of the best of “Trini” creole cuisine: pelau, Spanish rice, callaloo and stewed chicken. And of course coconut water, which Mr. Luker admitted tasting for the first time.

The opportunity for informal interaction produced bonds of friendship between the Lukers and the brethren many of whom reminisced about the “old days” in Worldwide Church of God.

At the picnic, the brethren presented the Lukers with mementos – a desk ornament for Mr. Luker, featuring a clock on a wooden base shaped like Trinidad with a copper replica of a mini steel pan, the national instrument of Trinidad and Tobago (the only new instrument created in the 20th century) and a colorful sarong for Mrs. Luker along with two wine glasses with the words Trinidad and Tobago inscribed on them.

The Lukers along with Chuck and Mary left for home on Monday 26.

– by Lennox Cedeno

For the first portion of the spring Holy Days, the St. Lucia brethren were joined by several “honorary St. Lucians”, including Darnley and Darlene Hazell from St. Vincent, Maxwell Victor from Dominica, and Chuck and Mary Smith from the U.S.

The Night to Be Observed was held at the home of Kelland and Beverley Barthelmy. There was a variety of fish, chicken, lamb, and a number of delicious home-cooked St. Lucian side dishes and unleavened desserts. As enjoyable as the food was, the spirit of fellowship and camaraderie among the brethren was even better.

An extra-special event took place on the First Day of Unleavened Bread, with Kelland Barthelmy being ordained a deacon. Kelland and his wife Beverley have served God faithfully for many years, and it was a moving experience to witness this long overdue event.

The following Sabbath consisted of a Sabbath service and Bible study, after which everyone enjoyed a wide assortment of snacks and unleavened pastries. On Sunday was a picnic and beach barbecue at beautiful Laborie Bay. Brethren enjoyed grilled chicken and fish, green fig salad, as well as other local dishes and drinks. The freshly made golden apple and mango juices were a big hit. There was a variety of activities including cricket, dodge ball, football, swimming, and lively conversation.

– by Mary Smith

Kelland Barthelmy being ordained a deacon with his wife Beverley.

Mr. Luker visits Trinidad, Continued from Page 1

32

Deacon Dale Bissessar and his wife Indeera.

For the following evening, Night to be Much Remembered, the ladies of the congregation prepared a meal with an island flare. The delicious meal included lamb, chicken, steamed vegetables, and a traditional dish of Bahamian red beans and rice. Also served were Matzo, wine, and a tropical punch for the children. The evening was topped with a Cuban Flan cake for desert.

On the first holy day inspiring messages were given. The sermonette given by Mark Mackey was titled “It Isn’t Easy”. Mr. Mackey discussed the sacrifice that Christ made for us and why it had to be so hard. He emphasized that we should keep this in

mind, so we do not neglect the true meaning of the holy day season. Daniel McKinney gave

the offertory message. Special music was performed by Cynthia Williams and her grandson Daniel McKinney II. They sang “To God Be the Glory”. Tim Franke from

the Brentwood, Tennessee, congregation gave the sermon. His sermon was titled “In Your Own Eyes.” He spoke of the greatest

deception, which is our self-deception. He asked that each of us search our hearts and ask God to show us what we can’t see about ourselves.

After the messages the ladies once again provided a potluck meal for all to enjoy. There was lots of fellowship shared among the adults, and the children. The Freeport, Bahamas congregation displayed their warmth and hospitality to their visitors. They are a faithful, strong, and joyous group. It was a positive and uplifting Days of Unleavened Bread.

– by Michele and Courtney Franke

4

United Church of God

P.O. Box 541027

Cincinnati, OH 45241-1027

Faithful, Strong and Joyous, Continued from Page 3

4

design: ZanteDesign.com