The first CWM Pre-Assembly gathering in preparation for Global Assembly 2020 was held in the Caribbean on February 2-5 in Georgetown, Guyana. Delegates from the Guyana Congregational Union and The United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, the two-member churches of CWM Caribbean region, met for worship, study, discussions, and orientation to the Assembly.
An action-provoking keynote presentation was delivered by Guyana national Rev Patricia Sheerattan-Bisnauth who unpacked the theme Rising to Life with Jesus. In her delivery, Rev Sheerattan-Bisnauth urged the group to discern “the systemic issues which are at the core…of the economic, race and gender injustices, and climate change devastation, and the consequent burdens born by those who suffer the consequences.”
A stirring bible study series was led by Prof Rev Dr Roderick Hewitt of Jamaica. He urged delegates to contemplate that the path of rising to life with Jesus goes through death. However, “God’s power of life in this world is stronger than the destructive forces of death”.
Time was taken to reflect on and discuss the decision by the Board of CWM to make a public apology and reparations for slavery.
An impactful session on the promises of prosperity arising from the discovery of an estimated 8 billion oil-equivalent barrels in Guyana’s offshore territory took centre stage one afternoon during the gathering. Members of GCU, ecumenical partners, and representatives of the Government of Guyana engaged in discussions which yielded greater understanding and indicators of potential avenues of mission for GCU.
The CWM Caribbean Pre-Assembly was supported by CWM staff in the region – Mission Secretary, Karen Francis, and Deputy General Secretary Rev Wayne Hawkins. General Secretary, Rev Dr Collin Cowan, visited during the forum on Oil and Gas in Guyana.
Karen Francis
February 8, 2020
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- Carolyn Seaforth (left) and Diane Montoya (right) discuss the story of Zaccheus who responded to Jesus by making reparations to those from whom he had stolen. Participants reflected in pairs as they contemplated CWM Board commitments arising from the Legacies of Slavery project.
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- Ominell Boyce, GCU youth delegate engages in plenary discussion on ways in which death or the fear of death is preventing us from hearing Jesus calling us to experience life and to arise now.
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- L-R: Miss Ominell Boyce, GCU youth delegate; Rev Anthony Chung, UCJCI delegate; Rev Leander Warren, GCU delegate and Mrs Diane Montoya, UCJCI delegate. The gathering included group reflections on the bible study series led by Prof Rev Dr Roderick Hewitt. The group reflects on the question: Bad religion contributed to the death of Jesus. What are the ways in which bad religion is harming lives in our context?
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- On 20 January 2020 Guyana exported its first Liza crude to ExxonMobil refinery via the tanker Yannis P following its first oil production one month earlier from the Liza Phase 1 project. This is a sample of the ‘first oil’ which was shown by the representative from the Department of Energy in Guyana’s Ministry of the Presidency. There are high anticipations of wealth and prosperity following the discovery of oil offshore Guyana in 2015. The panel discussion at the Pre-Assembly explored the role of the church in the midst of this national discourse. It has been estimated that Guyana could be producing 750,000 barrels of oil per day.
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- Rev Patricia Sheerattan Bisnauth delivered the keynote presentation on the theme: Rising to Life with Jesus. Rev Sheerattan Bisnauth is Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Caribbean Family Planning Affiliation (CFPA). The presenter challenged the group to “move… congregations to a spirituality of resistance, to rise with Jesus, instead of offering cheap grace”.
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- Rev Leander Warren, GCU delegate participates in discussion after group reflections on bible study question: The threat of death is used as a weapon of fear to keep people silent from rising up and celebrate fullness of life. Where and how do we see this at work in our local contexts?
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- Worship experiences permeated the CWM Pre-Assembly gathering in the Caribbean with delegates leading morning and evening devotions. Rev Anthony Chung, UCJCI delegate is seen here in a moment of prayer during morning devotions.
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- GCU member Kaomo Fernandes (standing) poses a question to the panel during the discussions on the discovery of oil and the anticipated benefits and challenges.
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- GCU youth delegate Ominell Boyce in deep contemplation during the bible study led by Prof Rev Dr Roderick Hewitt who proposed the statement that “the path of rising to life with Jesus goes through death”.
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- During devotions led by UCJCI, Diane Montoya referred to Psalm 18:2 The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. She used a rock from the Guyana seawall to indicate that we can Rise to life with Jesus with confidence knowing he will protect us and upon his Word we can stand secure for he is our solid rock.
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- Rev Keith Haley, General Secretary – Guyana Congregational Union, moderated a discussion on ‘Is Oil the Path to Prosperity in Guyana?’ Panelists were: Ms Sharon Patterson of the Department of Energy in the Ministry of the Presidency, Dr Wilbert Lee, Pastor of the First Assemblies of God in Guyana, Rev Leander Warren, GCU delegate and GCU minister, Mr Michael McGregor, Treasurer of the Guyana Congregational Young People’s Union.