New Year Thoughts And Reflections On 2008
My reflections on 2008 began long before the year ended. It’s hard not to reflect when so much of what was happening were clear indicators of what might transpire in 2009.
As January 2008 dawned, the congregation and visitors at First Isthmian sat at Holy Communion. I was particularly blessed and challenged by this verse of the hymn This Is A Day Of New Beginnings:
Then let us with the Spirit’s daring
Step from the past and leave behind
Our disappointment, guilt and grieving
Seeking new paths and sure to find
I had no idea what the year would bring. Looking back I can say, that this verse of song would prove more true for me in 2008 than I would have even imagined. Some things I just cannot share with you. Sorry. A girl has to keep her secrets. But when you stop sulking, you might enjoy the trip down memory lane and my recollections of some remarkable moments previously shared here.
I recall…
BAPTIST RUNNINGS AND ECUMENICAL GATHERINGS
The year kicked off with Panama Baptists of the Panama Baptist Convention gathering at Santa Clara for the Annual Convention pledging to renew our commitment to unity. It will take more than a year for unity and Panama Baptists to meet and get acquainted with each other.
International gatherings of Baptists and other Ecumenically minded church leaders and theologians visited Panama in 2008. We received the General Secretary of the Baptist World Alliance, Rev. Neville Callam on two occasions; in April for the historic meeting of Union of Baptists in Latin America (UBLA) and in November for the Caribbean Conference of Churches (CCC)/World Council of Churches (WCC) joint meeting with Christian Councils of Latin America and the Caribbean held in Panama City. It was also the launch of the focus of the WCC’s Decade to Overcome Violence (DOV) on the Caribbean for 2009.
February was the annual trek to Jamaica for the Jamaica Baptist Union (JBU) Annual General Assembly where Rev. Stephen Jennings was elected as president of the JBU. And I was part of the launch of the Caribbean Diaspora Baptist Clergy Association (CDBCA) at Grace Chapel, New York, USA ending March.
The Central Panama Baptist Association (CPBA) once again had an historic moment when in October 2008 they elected their first ever woman Moderator in the person of yours truly. And a second historic first took place with the first ever ‘Super Sunday’. The Association met for the very first time in 56 years in a joint Sunday Service, the equivalent of what we would call an Association Sunday in Jamaica (minus the business meeting).
And In October I fellowshiped with more Baptists during my visit to Bocas Del Toro at Almirante Baptist. I will never forget the 15 hour bus ordeal to get there, after our bus broke down on the road to Bocas.
And I recall too…
CRIME, VIOLENCE AND DEATH
The number of funerals I’ve had in Panama so far were too many to escape notice.It even led to my changing of the traditional Baptist Funeral Liturgy we normally used for something that was more appropriate for the context.
And all the deaths we had in Colon and funerals I presided at was nothing compared to the violence and pall of death that hung over Jamaica last year. One of my senior colleagues was almost murdered in Jamaica, while one of my uncles was robbed and murdered a week after my aunt died of cancer. Our family like many others in Jamaica had to face multiple deaths and burials.
And it brought tears of sorrow and anger to many Jamaicans, friends of Jamaica and I to hear of the sick molestation and brutal murders of children in Jamaica.
And I recall joyful celebrations of….
AFRICAN CULTURE AND HERITAGE
As Black Panamanians celebrated Etnia Negra in May, we partnered with the local etnia negra committee of Colon to host the first ever Interfaith Service in a church. We witnessed the historic coming together in a church building, a local Imam, the leader of the Spiritual (Zion) Church, the Congo Mass practitioners of St. Joseph Catholic Church. What a rich affair that was!
Over in Jamaica, in May as well, British Baptists from the Baptist Union of Great Britain brought an apology for their role in the Transatlantic slave trade. It left many wondering what next.
And in August my favourite month I longed to be home for Jamaica’s Emancipation & Independence Celebrations. Some day…
I also recall….
MISSION PARTNERSHIPS
The year began on a note of Mission outreach. The Medical Missions Foundation partnered with our congregation in outreach to Costa Abajo.
And in August we welcomed our friends from Jamaica once more. The team headed by Rev. Calude Williams stayed at Costa Abajo while Rev. Denzil Jack participated in First Isthmian’s first ever Street service in Colon City.
And bursting with pride once again I recall…
JAMAICA LAND ME LOVE
The indomitable Jamaican spirit was captured in the amazing story of the Jamaican Dog Sled team, Sun Dogs which was inspired by the story of rescued Jamaican dogs. The same bigheartedness of Jamaicans was seen in the “Treasure Hunt in the Bird Nest” at the Beijing 2008 Olympics.
The Golden Olympic Team and in particular the spectacular feats of Usain “Lightening” Bolt caused the hearts of Jamaicans everywhere to swell with pride. It was one thing to see the US coverage of these races. Over the Christmas holidays when I went home, I saw the real thing – Jamaican style broadcast again on TV. And it was amazing…..Tinga Stewart says it best –
But when a check it out Lawd
No weh no betta dan yard
As 2009 unfolds, I await God’s mysterious (and mischievous) movements in the unfolding of a new year which will no doubt be filled with more adventures in Panama. I know even with the best of intentions, I’ll not be able to share all the exciting things with you, but I’ll do my best to share as many as I can.
Let me wish for you and your loved ones a year of Blessings in love, peace and contentment, zeal and courage to seize opportunities, wisdom to make the best decisions, and compassion and kindness toward your sisters, brothers and the rest of creation.
Paz y Amor!
Marvia
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January 6th, 2009 at 1:43 pm
[...] of St. George at the Patriarchate here in Istanbul, I was granted an “akroasi” (meeting New Year Thoughts And Reflections On 2008 – marviaspanamajournal.com 01/06/2009 My reflections on 2008 began long before the year ended. [...]