Retirees lauded for their contribution to the SDA Church in EJC

The East Jamaica Conference (EJC) Board room and Virtual Church studio was transformed into an elegantly decorated banquet hall to facilitate  the hosting of a special function on January 29, 2023 to recognize the work and contribution of seven  workers who retired late last year. These workers of worth   served the Seventh-day Adventist church with distinction over several decades and each was given a beautiful plaque and gift basket by the three administrators of the Conference.  

The retirees include Pastor Leon Emmanuel Afflick who gave eighteen years of service to the church. Mrs. Coleen Joy Williams-Brown, twenty five years of service. Miss Audrey Sandra Barnett, thirty five years of service.  Pastor Linton George Williams,forty years of service.  Pastor Lorenzo Richard Brown, forty two years of service. Pastor Eric Loyd Nathan, forty three years of service  and  Pastor Leabert Hezekia Williams forty four years of service.

 

”This is a happy occasion and  I give honour and affirmation to the celebrants” said Pastor Meric Walker, president, EJC when he addressed those gathered at the function. “We salute you, respect you and affirm you,” Walker said. “ You had different days of beginning and experiences, different days of entrance  into this noble work but now you have the same day of celebration  and with  diverse experiences gained in the classroom, in pastorate and in administration,  you have contributed greatly to the work in East Jamaica Conference.”

Cumulatively the years of service of the seven retirees amounted to two hundred and forty seven years  with  two of them, Pastor Eric Nathan and Linton Williams, serving at the highest level of the organization  as  president and executive secretary respectively.   

Pastor Adai Blythe, Treasurer, Jamaica Union (JAMU), addressed the retirees on behalf of the JAMU administration and said “It is now time for you to get some rest after your hard labour and to enjoy the extra time that you will have on your hand to do the things you always wanted to do.”  Blythe thanked the retirees while noting that they had done well in their service to the church. “Congratulations and may the Lord continue to be with you as you serve the Lord in whatever capacity you are called upon to do,” he said with a bright smile on his face.

Pastor Joseph Smith, Ministerial Secretary, JAMU paid tribute to the pastors who were retiring and noted that of the two hundred and forty seven years of combined service given  to Conference by the retirees, one hundred and eighty seven of those were given by pastors.

“You have served well,” Smith said as he  recognized the work done by the pastors. “Luke 10:1 shows that Jesus delegated the task of preparing men’s heart, to their fellow men”, Smith said during his address. “This aught to make us recognize how important the work of ministry is”. He highlighted that the pastors by their work would have contributed significantly to the growth of the church but said “while the church may give you a plaque to put up on a wall, God will ultimately give you your true reward.”

The ministerial secretary thanked the pastors for their service, commitment and dedication to the work of the Lord and wished them well as they entered into a new phase of their lives.   

Words of affirmation and commendation were showered on each of the seven retirees  by  tributes offered to them by a members of  the church organization  as well as from  a member of their family. Pastor Alanzo Whyte, Ministerial Secretary, EJC  made  the tribute to Pastor Leon Afflick, Mrs. Alethia Williams, Principal, Kingsway Prep & High School made the tribute to Mrs. Coleen Joy Williams-Brown, Mrs. Doreen Grant, Associate Secretary, JAMU gave the tribute to retiree Ms. Audrey  Barnett.  Pastor Carl Cunningham, VP, Stewardship Director, EJC gave the tribute to Pastor Linton Williams. Pastor Leonard Steel, Health Ministries Director, EJC offered the tribute to  Pastor Lorenzo Brown. Pastor Meric Dale Walker gave the tribute to Pastor Eric Nathan and Pastor Alanzo Whyte  made the tribute to Pastor Leabert Williams.

In attendance at the function were  Pastor Melvin Francis, executive secretary, EJC and his wife Christine, Elder Michael Porteous, Treasurer, EJC and his wife Maxine, Mrs. Lisa-Marie Samuels, Human Resource Manager, JAMU and Pastor Adlai Blythe, Treasurer, JAMU and his wife Charmaine.

The moderator of the special function was Pastor Arlington Woodurn, former president of North East Jamaica Conference who also was a former Pastor and Conference director in East Jamaica Conference. Special music was provided at the function by Misses Erica and Evie Lumsden.