Volume 24 No. 1 EASTER 2018 Inside This Issue: Editor s Note 2 Woman s Auxiliary: Celebrating 30 Years 3 Holy 4 Health Line Condolences 5 Humour 6 Yvonne s Corner Easter Cross Word Puzzle 7 8 Dear Friends; We have once again come to that season of year when we celebrate the fundamental aspect of our Christian faith that significantly distinguishes us as Christians from other religious faiths. There is however, a concern that this season of Easter has been pushed into second place rather than first by many of us Christians - second place to Christmas among the Christian festivals observed. To make matters worse, there seems to be an ignorance as to what such a day and season truly celebrates. While I was teacher of Religious Education, I could recall that whenever I ask the students what the Christian season of Easter celebrates, they would very often tell me that it commemorates the death of Jesus; and I always have to correct them that such is celebrated on Good Friday and that Easter celebrates Jesus resurrection. However it s noteworthy that they are more aware that Christmas is observed by Christians to celebrate Jesus birth. This tells me, friends, that we as Christians obviously have not been sharing enough about why we observe Easter; and maybe that s because we don t recognize enough the significance for such an observance ourselves. With the level of pluralism within our world - that is, the amount of different faiths and belief systems existing today - many persons have become very confused as to whether or not they should follow Christianity or any of them at all. Such persons may very well become what is known as spiritualist, or they go to the other extreme of becoming atheist. This seems to be a developing situation, not even just among adults, but many of our young people who seem very confused; and again I encounter this while teaching Religious Education. Many are asking the question: How can I know which religion is the right one? I am sure that question has also popped into our minds at some time because we are all living, working, studying or socializing with persons of other faiths. Maybe we would like that question to be answered, even now, as it is a fair question. The average person today faces, what I would term, a multi-choice of religions; one has a number of channels to choose from that all seek to offer a way of life pleasing to a Supreme Being. Which channel is one to choose? It s a crucial question because on the surface there seems to be no great difference between them all. They all have great leaders, written Scriptures that are very profound, miracle stories, high ethical standards, a long and rich history and so on. So one could easily be swayed to believe that all religions are basically the same; but there is that fundamental difference to our faith as Christians that sets us forever apart from every other religious system. Someone once said, Just go to the tombs of the founders of all these great world religions and do a roll call by knocking on the door of those tombs. If the Muslim goes to the tomb, knocks and calls, Mohammed! Mohammed will respond, Yes, I m here If the Jew goes to the tomb, knocks and calls, Moses are you there? Moses will respond, Yes, Here I Am If the Buddhist knocks and calls at the tomb of Buddha, likewise Buddha will respond: I m still here. If the Rastafarian goes to the tomb of Haile Selassie and
PAGE 2 VOLUME 24 NO. 1 calls, he too will be there. However, when the women went to the tomb of Jesus way back then, there was no need to knock, no need to call, for the angel met them with the astonishing news: He is not here; for he has risen, as he said. The tomb was and still is empty! So which channel then provides the best results, the best viewing, understanding and expression of God s love, the greatest hope? For us it s none other than the channel where the angel proclaims the good news of our Lord s resurrection - He is no longer dead, He has been raised and all He promised (as he said) came true and will also take effect in our lives. For us then, there should be no confusion as to the channel to choose amidst the multi-choice. The only channel for us is Jesus Christ who declared Himself to be the way, the truth and the life; the resurrection and the life. That s the good news we celebrate at this time; that we can stand on the promises of Christ our Saviour, for He lives! He Lives, Salvation [and Eternal Life] to impart. May we truly celebrate, with shouts of Alleluia for our Lord s resurrection and the foundation of our faith. A blessed Easter Season to all. Your Friend and Priest; Rev. Michael Maxwell BIBLE Trivia Submitted by Jennifer Gooding EDITOR S NOTE By Althea Murray Harding Greetings to One and All; It is with great pleasure that I take this opportunity as the new Editor of the Triune Magazine to wish a Happy and Blessed Easter Season to all members of the Holy Trinity family. It s that time of the year when we once again celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. That time of the year when we shout Hallelujah, Jesus Christ is risen indeed. There is no doubt that His rising not only brings us to a new day but it also provides us with the opportunity to be a new person with a new beginning. A person filled with the Holy Spirit, with new hope and a fresh vision for God s calling and purpose. Achieving the above is by no means easy but may I suggest that as believers we need to remind ourselves daily that Jesus is alive. We need to constantly remind ourselves of how blessed we are that He died for our sins and we need to be grateful for His unfailing love and presence in our lives. I therefore encourage you to read and be inspired by the articles submitted in this Easter Triune Edition and I pray that these articles may serve to remind you that Jesus is indeed alive! 1. After he had interpreted the butler s dream, how long did Joseph stay in prison? 2. Where was Paul at the end of Acts? 3. What was Lydia s occupation? 4. Where was Christ when he stated I thirst? 5. What has put under subjection under the feet of Jesus 6. Who was the only disciple to use the term antichrist Answers to Trivia will be found on page 5
PAGE 3 VOLUME 24 NO. 1 The Woman s Auxiliary: Celebrating 30 years! By Heather Holder The Church of the Holy Trinity Woman s Auxiliary (WA) celebrates its 30 th Anniversary in May 2018 under the theme Worshipping, Witnessing and Working Together in Love. Although 30 years is a relatively short existence when compared to the life of other Church organizations, the WA is proud of its accomplishments thus far and gives God thanks for His guidance and blessings over the years. Of course there are many persons whom God has worked through to bring the Woman s Auxiliary to this juncture Dean Jeffrey Gibson, the then Priest in Charge/Rector and founder of the organization in May 1988; subsequent Rectors who have lent their support; current President, Stephanie Gooding; the eight (8) Past Presidents who have led the group with unfailing commitment; and members of the congregation who have supported its fundraising activities and social events. Special mention must be made of five honorary male members of the WA who willingly lend assistance when called upon: Master of all trades Henderson Jones; elections supervisor, Bindley Coward; Deejay, Stephenson Brathwaite; dependable van driver, Erwin Downes and chef, Tyson Greenidge. The WA, comprising some 37 active members, meets on the first Saturday of every month except August and joins in Corporate Worship on third Sundays. In keeping with its objectives and its theme: Worship, Witness and Work, the organization: - seeks to deepen the spiritual life of members through prayer, Bible Time, Quiet Evening during Lent, and worshipping with other branches of the WA during Feasts of Title; contributes to the Church s operations by providing funds for the purchase of flowers and decorating the Church on special occasions; cleaning of the pews twice yearly, as well as helping to maintain the Garden of Remembrance for which the group has won first prize on the two occasions that the Garden of Eden Competition has been held; assists persons in need, including annual donations to the Family Care Programme and HIV/ AIDS Food Bank; and visits sick and shut-in members. In an effort to foster closer relationships among its members and with the wider congregation, the WA hosts weekly sessions of line-dancing and opens its doors to the congregation for special activities, such as Lectures, Cultural Evening at Independence, Movie Nights and the well-patronized Annual Sponsored Walk and Breakfast. Highlights of the WA s 30 th year include the Easter Bonnet Parade and Garden Party held on the Rectory s Grounds on Saturday, April 7 th and the Anniversary Service at Holy Trinity on Sunday, May 6 th at 5:00 p.m. The President and members of the WA thank all those who have contributed to the organization s active and fulfilling life during the past 30 years and look forward to continued support as they strive to Worship, witness and Work to God s honour and glory.
PAGE 4 VOLUME 24 NO. 1 HOLY BAPTISM By Rev. Steven Fields (Reprinted Triune Vol. 1 #4) There is a long history behind what is known as Christian baptism as it has to do with ceremonial cleansing or washing. The use of ceremonial washing as a means of preparation to approach God in worship is a common feature of many ancient religions. It was a symbol of purification which the worshipper desired before going into the presence of God. We find such use of water among the Jews in Leviticus 8:6, 14:9. Further, by the time of Jesus the custom had arisen for converts to Judaism (proselytes) to be not only be circumcised but baptized. Proselytes so baptized, were said to be born again. The plunge beneath the water represented a death to the old life and the rising from the water, a birth to the new life within the sphere of God s covenant. We may compare John s baptism which was a preparation for the coming of the messiah. John himself looked forward to the coming of the one who would baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire. Such baptism would bestow not only forgiveness for the past but new power for the future in the Messianic Kingdom. The practice of baptism, already familiar to the Jews and intelligible to the pagans, was taken by the Early Church and made to be the visible mark of acceptance of Jesus Christ as savior and of membership in the Christian society (Matt 2:19). This line of thought runs through all the New Testament teaching on Baptism. Paul speaks of it as a washing of regeneration (Titus 3:5.) In other places he expresses the same idea in a slightly different way. By Baptism we are incorporated into the Body of Christ and become his member.1cor 12:13, Gal3:27, Rom 6:4. Finally Paul argues this way: by our natural birth we are in Adam, that is, we inherit a common human nature shared by our fellowmen; by our new birth in baptism we become in Christ. Christ is the new Adam, the source of a new and regenerate humanity. It is through baptism that the infant is incorporated in the body of Christ. John Macquarrie says in being brought into the community, the centre of the infant s life is shifted from his isolated individual being to the body of which he is now a member.from this very moment of baptism, the child is unconsciously incorporated into the community. The recipient of its love and interest, and therefore, the recipient of grace. Those who reject infant baptism deprive the child of his right to be incorporated into the household of faith and to grow up within the sacramental structure which the church has designed that the whole of human life, from life until death, maybe supported by divine grace. The reformers of the mid sixteenth century greatly emphasized the need for personal faith in all those who would be Christians. However, for the most part, they retained the practice of infant baptism. They relied solely on the authority of scripture as they went to the Bible to justify this practice and they relied on several principles. Among them are:- (a) Since God had made a covenant with Abraham promising to be his God and the God of his seed, the children of parents of the new covenant were eligible for the sacrament which conferred membership in Christ s family (baptism). (b) Since the infant sons of Jews, at eight days old, where received into God s people by circumcision, the infant child of Christians should be received into the new Israel by baptism, which is the Christian counterpart of circumcision. (c) Since Jesus welcomed and blessed the little children brought to him, the church should likewise welcome little children by baptism. (d) Some of the households which the New Testament shows to have been baptized must have included some little children (Acts 16:15; 1 Cor.1:16). Although there is no specific mention of an infant by name, being baptized, there is not the slightest hint of an age limit. It is often objected that infants cannot have faith and repentance which are necessary for baptism. That is obvious, the spiritual life is the free gift of god and, where there is no active disbelief or impenitence to oppose God s mercy, it does not need faith for its reception. We need not be consulted about our second birth any more than about our first. Children, when they enter this world, enter upon a spiritual inheritance. They should equally possess, from the first, that union with Christ which is the antidote for sin. We pray to God for little children. We cannot possibly tell what precise effect either his blessing or our prayers have on the infants life, but we cannot suppose that they have no effect so, too, we may not be able to define the inward effect of bringing children to Christian baptism. In the same way he cannot recall his physical birth, he cannot count the story of his physical experience. All we can say is that we believe that they receive from God the best that they are capable of receiving. Infant baptism embodies the profound spiritual principal which states that religion starts not with what we do for God, but with what God does for us. We do not have to reach up to God first to earn his goodwill by so much repentance, faith or good works. God s love and his free gifts come first and we are bidden to live up to them. Macquarrie again says that the initiative reconciliation belongs always with God and does not need to wait until the child becomes explicitly conscious of such possibilities. Lastly, baptism, whether infant or adult, does not transform us without our own effort. It needs to be claimed and used. The child must be taught that he is a member if Christ and all that such membership involves. If he never learns his position as a child of God and makes no effort to avail himself of the powers placed within his reach that does not show that infant baptism is of no avail. It shows, rather, that the divine gift is not being used. There are persons who were baptized as adults who have fallen from grace. Does that make adult baptism invalid? As in secular life a child, after birth requires food, nursing and educating for physical development, so the baptized infant requires food, nursing and education for the soul if it is to become strong and healthy. This is realized within that fellowship of Christians (godparents included) who have been baptized and have responded to God s gift and blessing.
PAGE 5 VOLUME 24 NO. 1 HEALTH LINE Submitted by Margaret Mendes-D Abreu Our Sympathy COMMON EYE AILMENTS Dry Eyes This can be due to allergies, ageing or diseases such as lupus. You might feel like you have sand in your eyes, or they might burn or itch. You might be sensitive to light, have blurry vision, or, in some cases, your eyes might water. This will make the wearing of contact lenses very uncomfortable. Consult with your doctor to rule out any underlying disease and have it treated. Conjunctivitis, or Redeye Conjunctivitis, also known as Redeye, is inflammation of the conjunctiva. The conjunctiva is the thin clear tissue that lies over the white part of the eye and lines the inside of the eyelid. What causes Redeye? There are different causes, including: Viruses Bacteria Irritants such as shampoos, dirt, smoke, and chlorine in swimming pools Allergies, like dust, pollen, or a special type of allergy that affects some contact lens wearers. Treatment for Conjunctivitis isn t usually needed because the symptoms often clear up within two weeks. In severe cases antibiotic eye drops may be used. Heartfelt sympathy is extended to the families of:- Arthur Lorde, Lynches Betty Spencer, Mangrove Park Pearl Bushell, Sandy Hill Heartfelt sympathy is also extended to our own members who suffered bereavement: Barry Hunte, Lorraine Burke, Roy Barrow - Relative, Henderson Greenidge. Stephenson, Desmond and Stephanie Brathwaite - Aunt, Mignel Harewood. Glenda Hendy and Walter Bayne Relative, Joan Bayne Harriet Harewood Mother, Gloria Davis Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted. Matthew 5:4 Answers to Trivia 1. Two years - Genesis 40: 13-41:1 2. Rome - Acts 28:16 3. She was a seller of purple cloth - Acts 16:40 4. On the cross - John 19:28 5. All things - Hebrews 2:8 6. John - 1 John 4:3
PAGE 6 VOLUME 24 NO. 1 The POETs page Psalm 23 Submitted by Alva Ward The Lord is my Shepherd- That s relationship! I shall not want That s supply! He maketh me to lie down in green pastures- That s rest! He leadeth me beside the still waters That s refreshment! He restoreth my soul- That s healing! He leadeth me in the paths of righteous-that s guidance! For His name sake That s purpose! Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death- That s testing! I will fear no evil- That s protection! For thou art with me- That s faithfulness! Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me- That s discipline! Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies- That s hope! Thou anointeth my head with oil- That s consecration! My cup runneth over- That s abundance! Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life- That s blessing! And I will dwell in the house of the Lord- That s security! Forever- That s eternity! +++++ Thank You Jesus Thank you Jesus, for loving me, You died on the cross, and set me free. They buried you, and went away, But you rose again on the third day. Very soon you will come again, And I will live with you in heaven. Thank you for dying on Calvary. Thank you Jesus, for loving me. by Sheiresa McRae HUMOUR A little girl asked her Sunday School teacher a question: If the people of Israel are Israelites, and the people of Canaan are Canaanites, are the people of Paris called Parasites? ++++ A young boy called a nearby church to ask the pastor to come and pray for his very ill mother. The pastor knew the family had visited his church but was now attending another church down the road. I d be happy to, the pastor replied, but shouldn t you be asking your new pastor to pray with your mom instead? well the boy replied, we didn t want to take the chance that he might catch whatever it is that mom has! ++++ A young boy had been invited to participate in his aunt s wedding. As he walked down the aisle, he would take two steps, stop and turn, raise his hands like claws and let out a roar. All the way to the platform he followed the pattern: Step, Step roar! Step, Step roar! Guests were trying to contain their laughter as the boy reached the platform. When the minister asked what he was doing, the boy replied, I was just trying to be the ring bear. ++++
PAGE 7 YVONNE S CORNER Strawnana Bread Ingredients: 1 cup vegetable oil 3 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1 cup chopped walnuts 4 eggs, lightly beaten 2 cups white sugar 1 1/2 cups strawberries, mashed 1 cup mashed bananas 1 tablespoon orange zest. VOLUME 24 NO 1 3 cups frozen hash brown potatoes, thawed 1 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese, divided. Method: 1. Place bacon in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium high heat until evenly brown. Drain, crumble, and set aside. 2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 7x11 inch baking dish. 3. In a large bowl, beat together the eggs and milk. Stir in the bacon, hash browns, green onions, and 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese. Pour into the prepared baking dish. Bake in the preheated oven 25 to 35 minutes, or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Sprinkle the remaining Cheddar cheese on top, and continue baking for 3 to 4 minutes, or until the cheese is melted. Remove from oven, and let sit 5 minutes before serving. Method: 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease two 9x5 inch pans. 2. In a medium bowl, mix together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, and nutmeg. 3. In a large bowl, combine eggs, sugar, strawberries, bananas, orange peel, and oil. Beat with an electric mixer at medium speed for 2 minutes. Add flour mixture, and stir until moistened. Stir in walnuts. Bake for 1 hour, or until loaves test done. Remove to wire rack to cool. ++++ Egg and Hash Brown Pie To keep cilantro fresh: Remove the fresh leaves from the stem and place them on a piece of barely moist paper towel in a single layer. Roll the paper towel up and wrap it up in plastic wrap or a bag, making sure that as much air as possible is removed. Store in the refrigerator and the cilantro should stay fresh for at least 3 5 days. Sickly potted plants: (Even some that have almost died out) can have a second chance for life if you apply warm water to them instead of cold. In some cases, Oleanders which never bloomed or did so imperfectly, were treated with lukewarm water and produced magnificent blooms. This casserole is easy to make and great tasting, it's pleasing to the eyes with it's shades of golden brown, yellow, and green. This dish is great served with sliced fruit and toast or muffins. You may substitute chopped cooked ham for the bacon if you wish." Ingredients: 6 slices bacon 5 eggs 1/2 cup milk 1/3 cup chopped green onions Refreshed wilting flowers: Cut the end of the stem with a long slanting cut and stand flowers in hot water for 10 minutes. Then place quickly into deep cold water. No dustpan available? Just dampen the end of a newspaper. Lay it on the floor and sweep onto it. Table rings left by wet or hot dishes or glasses can be removed. Make a thin paste of olive oil and salt (about equal proportion). Rub it on the spot with your fingers. Let it stand an hour or two. Then rub off. The rings should vanish.
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