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Biblical reflections: Sunday Gospel

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 05:29:02 GMT

Friday, November 07, 2008

COMMEMORATION OF ALL THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED (ALL SOULS)

The Good News we celebrate today is that God loves us even when we are not perfect, and that the love of God does not abandon the souls of our departed brothers and sisters in the faith even when they did not measure up to the ideals of Christian perfection.

In the feast of All Saints which we had yesterday, we, the saints who are still struggling on earth (the church militant), celebrate fellowship with the saints who have already arrived in heavenly glory (the church triumphant). Today we celebrate our fellowship with the saints in purgatory, a state of temporary suffering for departed souls who are not yet fully ready for full fellowship with God in the glory of heaven (the church suffering).
All Christians believe in the Four Last Things: death, judgment, heaven and hell.

Purgatory is not mentioned as one of the "last things" because, strictly speaking, purgatory is a part of heaven. Purgatory is the remedial class for heaven-bound souls. Souls who go to purgatory are those who have been judged worthy of heaven, but not straightaway. They still need some purification (purgation) before they are ready for heaven because, according to Revelation 21:27, "nothing unclean shall enter it."

Some Christians have a problem with the teaching on purgatory because purgatory is not mentioned by name in the Bible. Yet the same Christians believe in the Trinity even though the "Trinity" is not mentioned by name in the Bible. We arrive at the doctrine on purgatory the same way we arrive at the doctrine on the Trinity, by making a logical inference from what God has explicitly revealed. We shall take three examples:

(1) The Parable of the Unfaithful Servant, which teaches the need for disciples to be faithful to their tasks till the coming of Christ on judgment day, concludes with these words: "That slave who knew what his master wanted, but did not prepare himself or do what was wanted, will receive a severe beating. But the one who did not know and did what deserved a beating will receive a light beating" (Luke 12:47-48).

(2) This shows that in the last judgment, even though the results will basically be either pass or fail, go to heaven or go to hell, there may be those who are not bad enough to be thrown into hell and not good enough to be admitted right away to heaven. These then will receive some remedial purification to make up for what is lacking in their faith and good works before being admitted to heavenly bliss. That period of interim punishment before being admitted to eternity with God is what we call purgatory.

(3) Paul compares the different ways in which Christians live their lives to different builders all building on the one foundation which is Christ. They build with different materials: gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw. On judgment day what each person has built will be tested with fire. "If what has been built on the foundation survives, the builder will receive a reward. If the work is burned up, the builder will suffer loss; the builder will be saved, but only as through fire" (1 Corinthians 3:14-15). How can the soul after judgment "suffer loss" and still get saved "but only as through fire?" The answer is what we call purgatory.

(4) The Apostle John reminds us that a Christian can commit two types of sin: mortal sin which kills one’s relationship with God and venial sins which does not. "If you see your brother or sister committing what is not a mortal sin, you will ask, and God will give life to such a one – to those whose sin is not mortal. There is sin that is mortal; I do not say that you should pray about that.

All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that is not mortal" (1 John 5:16-17). Believers who die without sin go to heaven. Believers who die in mortal sin go to hell. Where do believers who die in a state of venial sin go? The answer is purgatory, where they can make up for their imperfection before being admitted to the company of the saints in heaven.

Even though officially Catholics believe in purgatory and Protestants do not, unofficially almost everyone seems to believe in an interim state of purification before heaven. When we lose loved ones, Catholics and Protestants alike pray for the dead. We all say, "May their souls rest in peace." Wait a minute. If the souls of are in hell, why pray for them? Our prayers cannot help souls in hell.

And if they are in heaven, why pray for them? Our prayers cannot help those in heaven either. They are already in heaven. Any sort of prayer for the dead has meaning insofar as the souls of the dead are in an interim state where they have not yet reached perfect union and peace with God, and where our prayers can help them get there. That is purgatory.

In the feast of All Souls we pray for the souls of the faithful departed who are being purified in purgatory. In this we profess our belief that, just as God has not stopped loving these poor souls because of their imperfections, neither have we. For us the belief in purgatory is Good News: even though we may not in this life be perfect as our heaven father is perfect (Matthew 5:48) we can still hold fast to the hope that there are mansions for us in the kingdom of heaven.

Author: FR. PETER S. LOPEZ

Igbos Inaugurate YICMIC

Wed, 24 Sep 2008 09:13:50 GMT

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

The Pan Igbo Christian Ministers Congress (YICMIC – The Ark Bearer) over the weekend inaugurated YICMIC to continue the good work of their main body in

Nigeria

in The Gambia. The World Igbo Christian Ministers Congress was born in 2000 in

Nigeria

to welcome the new Millennium. This is in line with unity among the Igbos, to provoke high standard in Christianity and to serve as an instrument of reconciliation thus making the Gospel reaching far and wide. The formation of such in The Gambia is as a cause of the religious tolerance people enjoy in the country. The religious tolerance has given rise to a host of good things between the Christians and Muslims. The Pastors Intercessory Forum has also gained momentum by praying for leaders and others. Rt. Rev. Professor Athan Azubuike, the founder and International President, World (Young) Igbo Christian Ministers Congress, with its headquarters in

Nigeria

came for the inauguration. Augustine Kanjia finds out more on The Gambia Chapter.

In a well-attended ceremony involving the Nigerian community, a cross section of Nigerians and well wishers were present to grace the occasion. Rev. D Augustyn Ike Chukwu Bernards, Chairman of The Gambia Chapter, received his visitors and felt elated by the turnout and response of their members present.

In his welcome address, Rev. D. Augustyn Ike Chukwu Bernards brought God’s greetings to all present. He says, “As a minister of God in The Gambia, Africa and beyond, I stand before you thanking God for the privilege and opportunity giving to me by God through you.” Rev. Bernards said the day was a great and historic day that Igbos come to inaugurate the Pan Igbo Christian Ministers Congress, The Gambia Chapter. A vision, a mandate and a great burden God gave to Rt. Rev. Professor Athan ND Azubuike, the founder and International President, World (Young) Igbo Christian Ministers Congress, with its headquarters in Nigeria.

Giving the history and objective of YICMIC, Rev. Bernards said it was born in the year 2000 in Nigeria for the sole purpose of

1.To fulfil and restore the dignity and unity of young Igbo men of God (Ezekiel 22:30)

2.To create Christian fellowship between Igbo Communities

3.To unite young dynamic brave Igbo Christian Ministers

4.To serve as an instrument of reconciliation of Igbo men of God.

5.To restore the Igbo race back to God through the power of the Gospel.

6.To raise the standard of dignity of Igbo Christian Ministers

7.Through the Congress the hand of God will manifest in IgboLand.

8.It provokes high standard of Christianity in IgboLand.

9.To take care of the less privilege Igbo Christian Ministers

10.Through the Congress, the Gospel will reach to every race in the world.

“Pan Igbo Christian Ministers Congress, The Gambia is not politically motivated and does not have any political affiliation. We are Christian Ministers with God at heart. As we inaugurate Pan Igbo Christian Ministers Congress, I implore that all Igbo men and women of God remember to worship with IgboChristianChurches in The Gambia. ‘Onye aghalanwanne ya’ (Don’t leave your brothers.)

Chairman Bernards said they were suffering in The Gambia because of the neglect of their brothers and sisters. “We are left alone and all our support are not recognised and appreciated by other churches,” he said. He further stressed that Igbos have 75% Christians in Africa but are nowhere to be mentioned. He urged them to come together as one in the name of Jesus, love each other and put their differences behind them. “Blood is thicker than water, and God is waiting for us to unite, unity is important and needed among us,” he said. Chairman Bernards reiterated that they were a chosen generation, royal priesthood, ambassadors of God, special treasures, God’s own special people, chosen to declare His praises, (1Peter 2:9),

Holy people

For you are a holy people to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all peoples o the face of the earth. The Lord did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any other people, for you were the least of all peoples; But because the Lord loves you and because He would keep the oat which He swore to your fathers (Deuteronomy 7: 6-8b).

Quoting further from the Bible he said, Men of Issachar:“One of the sons of Issachar who had understanding of the times to know what Israel ought to do (1Chronicles 12:32a), Ibos know what to o and this is the time to unite, love, fellowship with each other and share communion together.

If people, he said who are called by name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. Now my eyes will be opened and my face attentive to their prayer made in this place. For now I have chosen you and sanctified this house, that my name may be there forever and my eyes and my heart will be there perpetually (2 Chronicles 7: 14-16) NKJV.

Rev. Bernards acknowledged the honouring of their invitation to come for their historic Inauguration of the Congress. Other speakers included Rev. Norman N. Griggs of the Methodist Mission serving in the place of the Christian Council and Bishop Athan Azubuike from Nigeria who was impressed and urged Ibos to love God and be more prayerful. He assured them of God’s richest blessings and declared the PICMIC (YICMIC) as a Chapter.

Author: Augustine Kanjia

Stella Maris Parish Starts Small Christian Community

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 05:37:07 GMT

Thursday, June 05, 2008

In an attempt to keep issues raised at the Diocesan Assembly alive, the parish priest of Stella Maris parish of Bakau has put in place the Small Christian Community to kick start this tomorrow.

According to Fr. Pius Gidi CSSp, the parish has agreed to start with 3 pilot groups. They will meet every other Friday in the month at 5pm. He says, “We have chosen three people to be on the Central Monitoring Team from the three zones.

According to Fr. Pius, the Small Christian Community will enhance parishioners knowing of each other through prayer and improve their prayer life. This he said was through the diocesan directives that the SCC is formed ahead of some other parishes of the diocese. Parishioners are looking forward to being part of it come this Friday in the centres suggested for the purpose. Mrs. Lizzy Jallow advised parents to involve their children to be part of the evangelisation not to leave them to go and play football.

Author: By Augustine Kanjia

Dakar Cardinal Bishop to visit Banjul

Fri, 09 May 2008 06:13:58 GMT

Friday, May 09, 2008

Robert Patrick Ellison C.S.Sp., the Bishop of Banjul, will officially welcome the Cardinal Archbishop of Dakar to The Gambia on Thursday, May 22, according to press release from the Office of the Bishop of Banjul.

A cardinal is appointed by the Pope to serve as one of his key advisers. Although they are often called to provide counsel for the Pontiff, the most critical responsibility for the cardinals comes when the Pope dies, and the College of Cardinals chooses his successor.

Earlier in the year, Bishop Ellison invited Cardinal Theodore-Adrien Sarr to The Gambia. “The Gambia and Senegal share the same traditions with many Gambian families having close relatives in Senegal. The customs and culture of both countries complement each other. Cardinal Sarr’s family is a typical example of this kind of interaction.”

“Cardinal Sarr has been a frequent visitor to the country in past years. He visited as a priest and then as Bishop of Kaolack and again as Archbishop of Dakar. This will be his first visit since he was created a Cardinal by Pope Benedict XVI,” the release indicated.

The Bishop of Banjul used the opportunity to express gratitude to Ismaila Sambou, the secretary of state for Local Government, Lands and Religious Affairs, for the warm reception accorded him and his delegation during their recent meeting.

“His comments to the Bishop were encouraging and further strengthen the already strong relationship between the Government of The Gambia and the Catholic Church in The Gambia. The suggestion of the Honourable secretary of state for the involvement of all sectors of the community in the visit of the Cardinal demonstrates the close relationship between the Muslim and Christian communities of our country.

The visit of Cardinal Sarr will help to deepen our appreciation of our commitment to this special relationship of understanding and respect for each other. The Catholic community is at one with His Excellency, the president of the Republic of The Gambia, in promoting religious tolerance as a key element in the development of our nation,” the release added.

In the release, Bishop Ellison invited all parishes in the Greater Banjul Area to give their full support to the Organising Committee. “Priests and Parish Councils should organise parish groups to line the route displaying their parish or organisations banners.”

The Bishop also called on heads of Catholic schools to organise the pupils in their schools to line the route from Banjul International Airport, Yundum, to Shalom Retreat Centre in Fajara, Bakau.

Biography

Théodore-Adrien Sarr was born in Fadiouth to Rog and Louise (née Diakher Diouf) Sarr, as one of seven children. He completed his secondary studies at the minor seminary in Hann, where he received a baccalaureate. Sarr then studied philosophy and theology at the Major Seminary of Sébikhotane.

He was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Hyacinthe Thiandoum on May 28th, 1964, and furthered his studies at the University of Dakar, where he obtained his licentiate in the classical languages of Latin and Greek.

Fr Sarr then did pastoral work at the parish of Saint-Thérése in Dakar, as assistant to the groups of Catholic Action. He also served as a professor at the Mihnor Seminary of N’Gasobil, later as its superior from 1970 to 1974.

On July 1st, 1974, Fr. Sarr was appointed the second Bishop of Kaolack by Pope Paul VI. He received his episcopal consecration on November 24, 1975 from Archbishop Thiandoum, with Bishops Théophile Cadoux, MSC, and Augustin Sagna, serving as co-consecrator, in an open-air ceremony at Collége Pie XII in Kaolack. Bishop Sarr was later named the third Archbishop of Dakar on June 2nd, 2000.

Pope Benedict XVI created him Cardinal Priest of S. Lucia a Piazza d’Armi in the consistory of November 24, 2007. Cardinal Sarr will be eligible to participate in any future papal conclaves until he reaches the age of eight on November 28th, 2016.

In addition to his duties as Archbishop, the Cardinal also serves as President of the Episcopal Conference of Senegal, Mauritania, Cape Verde, and Guinea Bissau, and the first Vice President of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar.

Author: DO

YMCA Launch Skills Training and Enterprise Development project

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 05:26:47 GMT

Thursday, April 24, 2008

The National Council of The Gambia Young Men Christian Association (YMCAs) recently launched a skills training and enterprise development project for disadvantaged and marginalised young people in The Gambia. The project is funded by the big lottery fund (BLF) and Y’care international, both UK based relief organisations. According to the YMCA program secretary/BLF project coordinator Joseph Peacock, the program will last for four years; from 2008 until 2012. “The project,” he added, “is a nationwide project aimed at reducing the twin challenges of poverty and social exclusion among young people in The Gambia.” It is also geared towards reducing the unemployment rate among young people. The skills training and enterprise development for marginalised and disadvantaged young people in The Gambia (STED) has a multi-faceted approach in developing the skills potential of young people in The Gambia. Young people will be trained in viable skills of their choice and be exposed to advocacy skills using the “rights based approach to advocacy” while outstanding trainees/beneficiaries will be eligible to access the available revolving micro credit loans and input support from The Gambia YMCA’s. This will allow them to start their small-scale business enterprises at a very low interest rate.

In officially launching the project the Honourable Mass Axi Gai, Secretary of State for Youth and Sports, hailed The Gambia YMCAs for empowering the young people of The Gambia. Secy Gai described the program as, “another milestone in the development of young people of The Gambia.” He acknowledged with appreciation the efforts made by The Gambia YMCA in contributing towards the socio-economic development of the country. He went on to encourage YMCA’s to collaborate with Gamjob for the effective implementation of the project. He noted that the project will create self-employment for young people in the country. He concluded his remarks by advising the beneficiaries to take the program seriously.

The ceremony, held at the YMCA head office, was chaired by Mr. Simon P. V. Cole and was attended by several dignitaries, YMCA staff and beneficiary youths.

Paul S. Mendy, Dignified Ambitious Accountant

Wed, 09 Apr 2008 04:58:36 GMT

Wednesday, April 09, 2008

Paul S. Mendy an ambitious, and yet dignified Accountant whose eagerness to learn more and through honesty dispenses his talent, coupled with his love for God as a devoted Christian, has branded this 39 year old Gambian as one of the finest, hardworking, tenacious and most God fearing accountant. What is needed in dealing with finance especially huge sums that belong to others? It’s only a man with clear hands and total honesty with the love for others like Paul S. Mendy that can handle bigger amounts and positions dealing with money.

Augustine Kanjia talks with Paul S. Mendy of PURA to discover his early beginnings, aspirations and his love for Christ as a Catholic and a true son of the Gambian soil. He confides in me here, please read below.

EIG: Could you please tell me about your humble beginnings?

PS Mendy: I am 39 years old. I am married in Church to Elizabeth; a very supportive young lady and we have three kids. I am a Fellow Chartered Certified Accountant and an MBA Finance holder.

EIG: What is your story like about your early job before getting to this position?

PS Mendy: I started my first job with Gamtel in 1991 as an Accounts Clerk, then to Audit Clerk.

EIG: From where did you get your qualification?

PS Mendy: Due to good luck and my performance at the AAT in 1993, two of us were lucky to be awarded scholarship by Gamtel to pursue further studies in London, UK. I did my ACCA for three years. We got distinctions at AAT in The Gambia, which earned us the scholarship to UK by Gamtel. I did my ACCA in London and returned home to work. I worked with Gamtel/Gamcel on my return as Finance Manager for five years. I then moved to the private sector at the First International Bank in 2004 as Head of Finance.

EIG: Were there challenges relating to your AAT studies?

PS Mendy: Yes! But with the help of friends, we bagged distinctions in 1995. In UK, studying was a daunting task especially studying ACCA. My friend finished before me, he went before me though.

EIG: What did you do before going to UK?

PS Mendy: I had clerical job. Coming back I had to prepare budgets, prepared financial statements, treasury management and also financial management and taking key management decisions in financial areas.

EIG: Which schools did you attend that gave you this strong and edifying stance in finance?

PS Mendy: I attended St. Theresa’s Secondary School and St. Augustine’s SeniorSecondary School from Form 1 – 5 and I did Form Six in the same St. Augustine’s Senior Secondary. I further attended MDI, qualifying with MAAT (UK) and FMAAT (UK), AT- Emile Woolf Colleges, UK, ACCA Affiliate, ACCA Body UK, ACCA Fellow member, Manchester Business School-world –wide (Manchester University).

EIG: With all these you gained as a finance man, can the government or other employers trust you in line with your job?

PS Mendy: Yes indeed! I Can boldly say yes to it. The truth and confidence I have gained from where I have worked is very high. Many people including important personnel and the highest body can trust me in terms of finance.

EIG: If you are to be given a more demanding task would you be able to handle it accurately?

PS Mendy: That’s not a problem for me. I know with the help of God and my knowledge, I can execute it diligently with deeper satisfaction. All the areas I have worked can testify to this in sincerity.

EIG: How did you gain your confidence?

PS Mendy: I got my confidence from what I have learnt and from my output. During my early days, my mum pushed me quite hard to study, even when I failed she would force me to. I later realised that with determination one can achieve higher goals.

EIG: What do you intend for The Gambia and how can you help others attain this?

PS Mendy: It is for The Gambia to achieve Vision 2020 as enshrined in The Gambia’s Vision 2020 blue print. Ok, with the determination, integrity and honesty, as a finance guy, you can put your company or organisation to achieve its goals.

EIG: If given a bigger task outside of the present task, would your competence allow you?

PS Mendy: As I said before, I can execute any financial task especially with the co-operation of my colleagues that I would work with.

EIG: If given a bigger task what would you do to help others?

PS Mendy: As I have just said, with co-operation with my colleagues I can help them to manage their finances. I will teach them in finance, which will give them knowledge in their job to handle their jobs with competence.

EIG: Does anybody commend you for your honesty and hard work?

PS Mendy: Yes indeed! Especially Gamtel. Whenever I go there many always cry for me to go back there to work again.

EIG: Are there problems you face as a finance worker?

PS Mendy:The problems are only from the staff. Finance workers with principles are not liked by many. I always talk to them and you follow the regulations set aside and they would like to follow what is said to them.

EIG: Do you have any suggestions for those who want to follow your footsteps as a finance man?

P.S. Mendy: They should stick to their studies, seek assistance from qualified accountants, take them as mentors. I am always available in the accounting world.

EIG: Have you any words of wisdom for your work mates?

P.S. Mendy: For my colleagues at Pura they should keep up the momentum and continue to exchange ideas, work harder together so that we can take PURA and The Gambia forward to make it the best country in Africa and the world at large.

EIG: What experience would you use to achieve your dream of the above?

P.S. Mendy: At Gamtel, I held Financial Accounts, which included stock valuation and reporting, Management information fuel analysis, Postings cash book transactions, Maintaining staff loans ledgers, Management information – vehicle maintenance analysis. Under positions I was Accounts Clerk. As an Internal Auditor, I did Branch auditing and performance reporting with host of other assignments in related field. I later became senior Audit Clerk and Acting Internal Auditor.

I have also held Financial Accounts position, reviewing Bank Reconciliation statements and six other related functions.

I was also Financial Accountant and Acting Senior Financial Accountant. I worked in the finance department and did the preparation of the company’s yearly operational and manpower budgets including seventeen other related jobs. I also served as Finance Manager in the Finance Department and I prepared Management and Financial accounts for Management and I was laison with external auditors with a host of other assignments. I became head of Finance as well.

Well at present at the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) I have worked at the Economic and Finance Department and I am the Principal Financial Analyst/Senior Finance Manager with about fifteen functions attached to the position.

I have also attended a good number of conferences and seminars with lots of certificates and diplomas locally and internationally. These and more would help me achieve my dreams.

EIG: Who has been your mentor?

P.S. Mend: My two former Finance Directors, Alieu Ceesay and Foday Ceesay both of Gamtel.

EIG: How did you get into Finance?

P.S. Mendy: O.K.! During my High School days, I did Commerce and I was lucky to get employment at Gamtel that prompted me to continue with the profession.

EIG: Are you involved in any social activities?

P.S. Mendy: Yes! Reading Newspapers, journals, listening to music, watching TV/ Video, visiting family members and friends. I am also a devoted Catholic. I served as Chairperson for Operation Tile the Church; Kanifing and I serve as part-time lecturer at the University of the Gambia.

EIG: Is there any other necessary thing you think we did not talk about?

P.S. Mendy: We have touched on the main points already.

I think those are important.

EIG: Thank you then!

P.S. Mendy: Thank you for taking your time to interview me.

Author: By Augustine Kanjia

Sunday Gospel - Easter Message 2008

Thu, 20 Mar 2008 06:56:40 GMT

Thursday, March 20, 2008

It’s my privilege to bring you Easter greetings on behalf of the Methodist Church in The Gambia.

This is the most important festival of the Christian year, as the central theme of our faith is that Jesus Christ was raised from the dead and that his risen presence is still with us and at Easter we retell the story of how the women went to the tomb and discovered that he wasn’t there and that the first disciples gradually realized that the cruel death of Jesus was not a destruction of all he spoke about and stood for, but a necessary prelude to resurrection truth.

When Jesus was sentenced to death and when he was hanging on a cross alongside criminals, it looked as if that was the end of his ministry and the defeat of his message. Here he was, humiliated, ridiculed and tortured and those who had said that his message was blasphemous and those who feared that he and his disciples were revolutionaries who would upset all the existing structures of power and authority must have thought that they had won and that they would no longer have to put up with his teachings and his radical ideas about the kingdom of God. But how wrong they were.

Today over two thousand years since this all happened his teachings are still revered and Christianity remains one of the major world faiths.

‘It is finished’ - defeat or victory?

Over this past week Christians have recalled again the last days of the earthly ministry of Jesus and on Friday we were looking at the last hours of his earthly life when he was dying on the cross. The words in John’s gospel recount that in the last moment before he died that “Jesus said ‘it is finished’ and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit”.

Now, those words ‘it is finished’ can either be taken as a cry of defeat or a cry of victory.

If you lose your job - or a relationship ends - you can say ‘it is finsihed’ meaning it’s al over and done with - life now goes on in a different way and you live with the loss. However, if an artist has been working on a painting for months on end, or a carpenter has been making an item of furniture - when the last brush stroke of the artist has been made or the carpenter has put in the last nail - then ‘it is finished’ takes on a different meaning - the work is complete, what the artist, what the artist or the craftsman set out to do has been achieved.

The last words of Jesus, ‘it is finished’ express triumph rather than defeat.

Jesus bowed his head and gave up his spirit, knowing that what the Father had sent him into the world to do, had now been accompalished. There was nothing else to be done - and what looked like defeat to those who were nearby, was in fact victory - and the resurrection was the inevitable consequence of the cross of Jesus.

The Resurrection Message is for all

a. Living as God Intends Us to Live Brings a sense of accomplishment

This Easter I would like to make two observations on how this message can affect each one of us.

The first is that the sense of accompalishment that Jesus had when his life ended is, I believe, how God wants us to feel about our lives. If we just work for the adulation of people around us, or if everything we do is just to satisfy our own selfish greed - then we will always feel despondent and depressed for we know that we can never please everyone and there will always be something else we will want - but if we accomplish everything that God has given us to do, then God’s plan and purpose for our lives has been accomplished and we shall have used the minutes, days, months and years that have been entrusted to us in the way that god wanted us to and that will make us feel much more worthwhile than often we do and will ensure fulfilling lives for us all.

b. Resurrection - the inevitable consequence of living of God intends

The second is about the inevitability of the resurrection. If we look around us and just see what is wrong with the world then we will find it difficult to feel any sense of joy, because we are not looking beyond the immediate - we are much more likely to observe death, not resurrection - a cross, not an empty tomb.

To use a sporting analogy - in football you can never say that ne team is inevitability going to win a game - anything can happen, right up until the final whistle and often you find that the winning goal has been scored in the dying moments - shattering everyone’s expectations. However, a good chess player can see dozens of moves ahead - and there can come a point - maybe eight or ten moves before the end that a player knows that there is the inevitable consequence of victory no matter what the opponent may try to do.

If we realize that there are inevitable consequences of living the life that God intended us to live - then we will know that light follows darkness, joy follows, pain, hope can come from defeat and life can come when we can see no further than death.

Reality not wishful thinking

This is not just saying ‘every could has a silver lining’, nor is it mere wishful thinking because when we talk of ‘resurrection’ we are not just referring to an historical event but we believe that resurrection is founded in truth and proved in our experience - where we can know that love is stronger than hatred, goodness is stronger than evil and life is stronger than death.

In a world where so many people live and die in hopelessness. Where people are poisoned by cynicism and defeated by disillusionment we tell our story of resurrection and if, like the Apostle Paul, when we review our life’s story, we can say ‘I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith’ then we will know the joy of living life in all its fullness and the victory of Easter.

So, on behalf of The Methodist Church,I wish you a very Happy Easter and pray that we may share the joy that this season brings.

Author: by Rev Norman A Grigg - Chairman and General Superintendent, The Methodist Church, The Gambia

Sunday Gospel - The Methodist Mission as pioneer of western education in The Gambia

Fri, 07 Mar 2008 06:42:11 GMT

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Friday, March 07, 2008

From 1824 to the end of 19 century was marked by intensive missionary activities in The Gambia particularly in Bathurst and MacCarthy Island. The period can justifiably be termed an era of exclusively christian education on the Island and its surrounding mainland. Missioneres, without exception, use the school as a means of converting the benighted African to christianity via education.

The early christian schools were, without doubt, an adjunct of the church. For this reason, education for both children and adults became a primary objective in their evangelical programmed.

The Society of Friends led by the Quaker educationist, Hannah Kilhma, as the first missionary group that preceded the arrival of the Wesleyan Missionaries in The Gambia. Rev. John Morgan of the Wesleyan Mission (later to be called Methodist), arrived in Bathurst on the 8 February 1821. He and Rev Baker opened a missionary station at mandinary in Kombo North.

After abandoning the Mandinari station, Rev. Morgan joined Major Grants survey part to choose a site for the establishment of a Military Outpost in the Upper River. after taking possession of Janjanbureh island in 1823, Grant allocated the Wesleyan Mission a piece of land parallel to Fort George. In 1824, Rev. Morgan opened a station and was in charge of it until 1825 when illness forced him to return to Bathurst.

The station was not fully operative until 1831 when Rev. William Moister arrived to replace him as the new manager. Rev. Moister started the construction of a school - church complex which was not completed up to the time of his departure in 1833. The building was completed by his successor, Rev. William Fox and was opened in 1835. This historic date makes the Georgetown Methodist Church the oldest functional Methodist Church in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Meanwhile, after a decade of hardwork and a devoted pastoral duties, Rev. Fox departed and was succeeded by Rev. Samuel Symons, a young englishman from cornwall in the United Kingdom. When he and Rev. Dove took charge of the Mission in 1843, Rev.

Symons opened a second mision near Fort Campbell locate at the eastern end of the Island where he moved and lived. Unfortunately, the young Rev. Symons was suddenly attacked Jellow fever which took his life in 1844 at a youthful of 29 years. his tomb has recently been identified and reconstructed by the Methodist Mission serving as interpretation of the history of the Wesleyan Mission on MacCarthy Island.

The Methodsit Mission should be commended and credited for making the most important contribution to the early development of Western education in Bathurst and Georgetown.

In August 1832, two hundred liberated Africans (170 men and 30 women and children arrived in Georgetown from Freetowan most of whom were transhipped by warsips of the British West African patrol. The creole immigrants were brought in the new British settlement of Georgetown primary to resettle and be trained in order to acquire skills that woudl enable them improve their destitute lives and recover from the trauma of the horrors of slavery and slave trade.

In realization of the necessity to educate and evangelize the new immigrants, the Wesleyan Mission opened an elementary school in 1835 and had also introduced a model farm project where most of them were enlisted for training. The georgetown Methodist school is the oldest school, next to only the one at Lobson Street in Banjul.

As the foundation of the development of Western education in Janjanbureh, the historic school had made a notable contribution to the social and economic advancement of the community. As the touch bearer of the development of Western education in The Gambia, the Methodist school had offered early educational opportunity to many Georgetownians and others from teh surrounding districts.

The Wesleyan Mission model farm project

A contribution of historic signiicance undertaken by the Wesleyan Mission was the establishment of a model farm project.

The project was instituted to provide skills training for liberated Africans and sons of native rulers. In 1836 a 600 acre farm land was allocated by government to Dr Robert Lindoc from Southampton in the United Kingdom. The philanthropist was encouraged by Rev. Morgan in a proposal intended to induce pastoral fulas to stop wandering habits and settle with their herds on MacCarthy Island. Dr Lindoc’s non-sectarian mission failed to achieve its purpose because the pastoral fulas were less attracted to the island as there was not enough pasture for their herds to graze.

Meanwhile, in 1838, the Wesleyans took over the 600 acre land to establish an agricultural project. The energetic Rev. fox became the first suprintendent of the institution. The trainees were instructed in modern techniques of farming, brickmaking and military training. In 1841, Rev. Foxcompleted the construction of a model village where trainees and instructors used as place of residence.

The Lindoe village, is locally called ‘Foday Banku’, (the mission land) was named after Dr Robert Lindoe. The model village had 12 brick houses containing six four-roomed cottages.

The success of the agricultural project did not only help to improve the quality of life of the traumatized creole immigrants, but had also played a significant role in the social and economic development of the entire community. The military training had helped to produce a strong militia readily on call for military service in times of emergency to reinforce the small regular forces at teh garrison.

The training in brick making had introduced new styles and design of permanent buildings which helped to modernize the new British settlement of georgetown. The widespread adoption of groundnuts and rice production on MacCarthy Island had also been speeded up by the training of new technigues offered on the model farm. For almost three decades of its existence, the project made significant successes in shaping a brighter future for the community of Janjanbureh.

But inspite of the achievements, it encountered various types of problems which culminated in its decide and final closure in the 1860s. the with drawals of sons of native rulers as well as the sporadic raids and distrubances from the natures of the mainland were exacerbate by a succession of natural calamities that affected the lives of both the trainees and their instructors.

Before Rev. Fox depature in 1843, sickness and deaths had tremendously reduced the number of instructors leaving his successor, Joseph May, with only three youngmen. In 1844, the island was ravaged by a swarm of locusts causing near famine conditon and damaging what was left of the mission farm. The final closure of the model village and the farm project had coincided with colonial government orders for the withdrawal of the British garrison in Georgetown in 1866.

The descendnts of the liberated Africans and the community of Janjanbureh owe profound debt and gratitude to the pioneering missionaries and those who came after them. These selfless men and their families devotedly sacrificed their lives in spreading the gospel and western education amongst the benighted Africans.

However, the successes of their pastoral duties would certaine role contributed by African preachers, teachers and interpreters whose unremitting efforts facilitated the pastoral duties of early european missionaries. Foremost among these Africans were:

Thomas Joiner (a mandinka griot, sold in Karantaba, bought his freedom in America and traded in Goree in 1810), John Cupidon, Pierre Sallah, Amadi Gum, William Joof and Jack Macumba.

These selfless men, al former slaves, but bought freedom from their masters in Goree were educated and brought in The Gambia by the Wesleyan Missionaries inorder to assist them to educate and evangelize their fellow Africans. As an ex-pupil of the Georgetown Methodist primary school, I cannot end this article without paying special tribute to my teachers and the priest of the church (1949 - 1961), Rev. JC Coker who died in 1975 (God bless him).

The caring headmaster and a devoted priest was the longest serving Methodist Missionary in Georgetown. His devoted pastoral duties had immensurably helped to consolidate the church and the christian community. As an educationist, headmaster JC Coker played a pivotal role in laying a strong foundation in promoting western education in Georgetown. His legacies remain lingering in their minds.

*The author is National Assembly Member for Janjangbureh.

Author: by Hon. Foday Jibani Manka

Remnant of the colonial menace - A humble suggestion

Tue, 15 Jan 2008 04:34:28 GMT

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Editor,

It is incumbent on all good citizens whether civil servant or not, with a spirit of patriotism, to expose ideas that, when applied constructively by those concerned, will yield good fruits.

The Gambia is a secular state. But the colonial rulers did not give the Muslim community the plenitude of their time to consecrate themselves body and mind to the practice of their religious rites.

Saturday, the sabbath, is a sacred day for the Jews. No Jew will work on Saturday, Sunday is a sacred day for the Christians. No Christian will work on Sunday. Friday is a sacred day for the Muslim. Why should the Muslim work on Friday morning when they should be preparing themselves for the Friday congregation?

Now that we are independent and the colonial rulers are no more, some of their influences should be done away with.

My humble suggestion is, let us divide the four hours of the Friday morning by four and add one hour to Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Work will then close at 5pm instead of 4pm and give Friday the devotion it deserves from the Muslims. This is the only way we can ensure a fair play.

Abba Faal

Brikama (phone contact withheld)

Author: DO