It was a celebration in worship, music and dance at the special Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, March 14, as the Church of St. Mary the Virgin launched a year-long programme to mark its 50 years of ministry in the communities of Drewsland and the Washington Boulevard. The Bishop of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, the Rt. Rev. Alfred Reid, was the Celebrant and Preacher.

In his message to the capacity-filled Church, Bishop Reid commended the Rector, the Rev. Canon Ernle Gordon and members who, through their Ministry, have stood up for social justice, in keeping with the spirituality of Mary, the Mother of Jesus, after whom the Church is named.

The Bishop stated that the spirituality of Mary was reflected in the Magnificat, her song of praise and thanksgiving to God, which he said, taught all the essentials of Christianity. “Mary’s spirituality was not about doom and gloom. She teaches us another way. Rather than complaining, she rejoices,” he said.

The Lord Bishop noted that it was often difficult for the poor to believe in God because of their pressing needs, but he said, Mary’s song rejected any idea that God had forgotten the poor.

Charging that religion had become more concerned with self- fulfilment, rather than the plight of the poor, Bishop Reid declared, “We don’t need self-centred religion, we need religion focused on God and neighbour.”

The anniversary celebrations at St. Mary the Virgin are being held under the theme “Proclaiming Christ’s Gospel Through Worship and Service,” and several major events are being planned. These include a Health, Home and Garden Fair on April 24; and on May 23, the Church will host a concert entitled “Songs of Praise,” featuring traditional Anglican hymns and anthems. A career seminar under the theme “Preparing Our Youth” has been scheduled for July 3.