Panama’s Rogelio Brathwaite Graduates From UTCWI, Jamaica
Shouts of “Panama” and “Viva Panama” were reportedly heard when Rogelio Brathwaite’s name was announced, and as he walked up to receive his Diploma in Ministerial Studies. More shouts erupted when he also received an Award for Academic Excellence. The latter is one of the top awards issued by the faculty each year to a graduating student who has at the time of graduation 70% A’s in their best 25 courses and the rest B’s.
The graduation ceremony of the United Theological College of the West Indies (UTCWI) was held on Wednesday May 15th at the University Chapel, Mona, Kingston. From what I heard the service reflected the usual impressive standard of a beautiful liturgy and lively participation. There were representatives from First Isthmian including Rogelio’s mother Otilia Brathwaite, and friends from USA and Jamaica.
Each year the service is unique, and it is somewhat influenced by the unique personality of a batch. The Class of 2009 is definitely unique. For 10 years, my batch, the Class of 1999 held the record of having the most women graduate in a batch. We had 13 women then to 16 men.
I’m awaiting official confirmation of this, but it seems that The Class of 2009 has tied with my batch with 13 women again. This time though, there were only had 9 men. That is history alright! And since this is about Rogelio, I will not yield to the temptation to do an analysis of what that might mean…well not now:-)
Rogelio himself has created history as the first member of First Isthmian Baptist Church to be trained at UTCWI although not the first Panamanian to attend UTCWI. He follows in the footsteps of at least 3 other Panamanians (can any of my readers verify my history here?) one of whom was the Rev. Sam Vernon from Bocas Del Toro, Panama who attended Calabar College (the Jamaica Baptists’ college) around 1950 or 1951.
Calabar College was one of the antecedent theological colleges that merged for Ecumenical purposes to form the United Theological College of the West Indies. Other denominations who entered into this Ecumenical partnership to offer theological training geared toward regional development were, Anglicans, Baptists, Disciples of Christ, Methodists, and Moravians. The college opened its doors in 1966.
Interestingly, the current President of UTCWI, Dr. Leslie Anderson, a Methodist Minister is also from Colon, Panama. No doubt he too felt enormous pride to see a young man from Colon, Panama making his family, church, province and country proud. All to the Glory of God!
Today, UTCWI face many challenges to keep its doors open as it faces the deep financial obstacles being experienced by most theological institutions around the world. Ecumenical fervor is waning, but this institution remains the foremost theological institution of its kind in the Caribbean and continues to shape the lives of some amazing women and men in the region. ( I’m trying hard not to reach over and pat my back here.)
The entire First Isthmian, and Central Panama Baptist Association are extremely proud of Rogelio. Of course we wish he was coming home right away. However, he will be in Jamaica for about 2 more years engaging in the Jamaica Baptist Union’s Probation programme. The JBU prepares their seminary graduates for Ordination under a Probationary period of further preparation that lasts for at least 2 years.
During that time, you are assigned as pastor of a church or circuit of at least 3 churches. Rogelio will be undertaking such an assignment and we wish him all the best as he now dives in to get his feet fully wet. So we are praying for and with you Rogelio.
Be strong in the Lord and be of good courage.
The journey continues…
**Special thanks to you my friends and dear readers who contributed to this article by sending me photos and details of the service.
Marvia
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May 18th, 2009 at 2:03 am
Boy I am really proud of Rogelio seriously…It was a loong road I imagine…I will definitely keep him in my prayers…
Boy it seem like the women eventually going to out number the men in the pastorate in Jamaica and possibly the caribbean … hmmm … no comments…
Don’t know if I told you this Marvia but my GrandMother by my father’s side was also born in Colon Panama…. Her maiden name is Satchell….she died just 2 months ago at age 97…. Do you know anyone with the name Satchell???
Dave
May 19th, 2009 at 8:37 am
Hey Dave!
Good to see you as usual.
Yes we are all proud of Rogelio. God has led him thus far, and we continue to pray he remain firm in trusting God to continue with him throughout his probation and beyond.
So how is the Oriental location treating you?
May 23rd, 2009 at 12:25 am
Thanks very much for the words of encouragement… To God be all glory…. I was glad to have my mother, felicia Dexter and Ed… Also Simon Clarke came upon short notice, i highly appreciate his presence at the ceremony and i was also able to meet a newly-found cousin…. It is a time of lot of excitement…. However, we need to pray for my mom who unfortunately broke her hand and is going through some uncomfortable pain… hope her next visit will be less painful… Nonetheless she always finds a way of making people around her laugh…Looking forward to the commissioning in September…
Blessings to all…
June 10th, 2009 at 4:16 am
Sorry to hear about your mom Rogelio. Will pray for her… Hey Marv…
The oriental location not bad at all inuh.. Giving thanks everyday… I am trying to head for Bahamas for the CBF Youth conference but lets see how that goes…
I mentioned in my last post that :
my GrandMother by my father’s side was also born in Colon Panama…. Her maiden name is Satchell….she died just 2 months ago at age 97…. Do you know anyone with the name Satchell???
June 10th, 2009 at 8:17 am
Hey Dave,
Otilia underwent surgery on her wrist and is now recuperating. We continue to pray for her. I’ll pass on your kind thoughts to her.
No Satchell’s immediately comes to mind. However, I will ask around although sadly enough, quite a few of the first generation of West Indian migrants have died in the last 3 years since I’ve been here. So much of the history has gone with them….
Will let you know if I’ve found out anything.
Blessings!!!