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Diocese of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands
Women in the Ordained Ministry 20th Anniversary Celebration
1994- 2014
Bishop’s Message
I deem this a great pleasure to send Greetings to the Women in Ministry as they celebrate the Anniversary of the historic ordination of the first three Deaconesses, namely, Judith Daniel, Patricia Johnson and Sybil Morris of blessed memory, twenty years ago, to the Holy Order of Deacons in this Diocese and, since that historic day, the number has grown to thirty-nine.
History will recall that the Lambeth Conference of 1968, commended to the Churches that they give active consideration and contemplate a response to the challenge for the ordination of Deaconesses to the Order of Deacons. It will also recall that in 1978 – ten years later, our Diocese moved a Resolution to the Provincial Synod asking the Synod to deliberate and take a decision upon the proposal of Lambeth for the Ordination of Deaconesses to the Diaconate.
It has been a long journey but, on February 6, 1994, the three women previously mentioned, offered themselves to become part of the three-fold ministry, It was, indeed, a historic day and a historic event and, as we give thanks to God for the work and ministry of all the women who have joined the ranks of Deacon and Priest since that special day, it is my fervent prayer that God will continue to guide and direct their paths.
I salute you and I congratulate you and give thanks to God for your ministry over these twenty years.
God bless you all as you continue in His service to do the work He has commanded you to do.