Rousing worship music, led by the Musical Apostles Steel Band, Miss Debbie Davidson on keyboards, and the Glenmuir High School Choir “rocked” the traditionally formal atmosphere of the Cathedral of St. Jago de la Vega, Spanish Town, at the recent Cathedral Sunday Festal Evensong on November 20.
In the words of a long-standing member of the Church: “It was the most inspiring, exciting, and powerful spiritual outpouring, that I have experienced at the Cathedral.”
Hundreds of students, mainly from Anglican High and Preparatory Schools, as well as representatives from churches across the Diocese filled the Cathedral to capacity for the Service under the theme “Go Forth and Tell.” And, for the first time since the annual pilgrimage to the “Mother Church” of the Diocese was introduced in 2002, a delegation from St. George’s Church, Grand Cayman joined the celebration.
Lessons were read by representatives of St. Hugh’s Preparatory School, The Wortley Home for Girls and St. George’s Church, Grand Cayman. The Psalm was sung to a contemporary setting by students of St. Hilda’s Diocesan High School; while the Litany was written and read by students of St. Hugh’s High and The Queen’s Schools. There were also musical presentations by Church Teachers’ College; St. Jago Cathedral Preparatory School; Black River High School; Kingston College Chapel Choir; St. Jago High School; as well as LeAndré Saddler and Javier White of St. Luke’s Church, Cross Roads.
The Rev. Fr. Douglas Barnes, Director of Christian Education, who preached the Sermon, noted that the Cathedral Sunday celebration coincided with the Feast of Christ The King – “a day when Christians acknowledge that Jesus rules the world.” However, he said, many persons, especially youth, were afraid to let people know they were Christians, and to share the gospel.
“Everyone should see talking about Jesus as their mission and responsibility,” he challenged.
In an up-beat message directed mainly at the youth, and punctuated by songs which complemented his points, Fr. Barnes suggested that: “Each of us is like a cup. We must pour out of ourselves what God has poured into us; and others will do likewise, so the gospel is shared.”
While noting that persons proclaiming the gospel may, sometimes, face opposition or rejection, he encouraged members of the congregation not to be afraid, but to boldly declare: “Me mek up me mind, a Jesus me sey!”
Evensong was preceded by a March of Witness led by the All Saints Marching Band and Flaggers from the Church of the Holy Spirit in Cumberland, Greater Portmore. This was followed by a Choirfest outside the Cathedral, featuring DeCarteret College; Ocho Rios; Bishop Gibson and St. Hugh’s High Schools.
Commenting on the day’s activities, The Rt. Rev. Robert Thompson, Suffragan Bishop of Kingston, observed that, “The present and future of the Diocese was displayed here today, and it was as glorious a celebration as it was inspiring!”
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