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SDA church dedicates new community centre
By ANGELO ARMBRISTER
Freeport News Reporter
angelo@nasguard.com
Officers and members of the Seventh-Day Adventist church yesterday
celebrated the dedication of their brand new state of the art community
centre. The centre dubbed the Evangeline Jervis Community Service and
Distribution Centre is designed to boost the community aid efforts of
that church family.
Construction on the facility started little more than a year ago and
was named in honour of a member Evangeline Jervis, whose selfless toil
to help those in need influenced the work of the church.
Community Service Committee Member Carleta Jervis-Carolina explained
that for years, the Freeport branch of the Seventh-Day Adventist church
has been providing food for the needy once per week. She added that once
every year the church would conduct a clothing drive. "Now that we have
the centre, we will have food everyday from 12 noon to 2 p.m., but the
centre will be open from 10 a.m. from Mondays to Fridays," she shared
noting that it allows the church to better assist the needy within the
community. "Anybody who is in need can come," she said.
"Now there is a process in that as somebody comes in, we will fulfil
their immediate need and then they will fill out an application, which
will be reviewed to determine if the person qualifies for further
assistance." Jervis-Carolina explained that the church cannot do it
alone and the assistance of the community is paramount to the success of
the centre's work. "We are hoping that businesses and private
individuals support with donations. If you have clothes that you don't
want, bring them here where they can be used by someone in need of it,"
she said.
The Honourable Loretta Butler-Turner, minister of state with
responsibility for Social Services, was on island for the occasion and
offered words of encouragement to the officers and members of the
Seventh-Day Adventist family. "The opening of this centre is truly a
tremendous achievement and indicative of the commitment of the
Seventh-Day Adventist Church to serve the whole man," she said adding
that the range of services and empowerment programs that will
subsequently be provided through the centre, "will no doubt greatly
enhance the quality of life for the less fortunate here in Grand
Bahama."
State Minister of Finance Zhivargo Laing, who brought remarks on
behalf of the Right Honourable Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham, conveyed
the nation's chief's congratulations. He did so adding how proud he was
of the unselfish idea behind the new centre and it's proposed community
service function.
"I was pleased to play a small part in helping the work be realized.
I have no doubt that this centre will be able to carry out significant
work, afforded by the words of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ...," he
said. Minister Laing explained that it was the Prime Minister's wish to
note that with the current economic times, there is an increased demand
for help locally and nationally and that the centre should prove a great
assist in that vain.
Though Prime Minister Ingraham was unable to attend, he did forward
written regards, which appeared in the event's program. He started by
extending best wishes to the Freeport Seventh-Day Adventist Church on
the establishment of the new facility. "I am confident that facility
will provide a valuable venue for a broad variety of activities in the
Freeport community," his remarks read.
The Prime Minister added that the creation of the facility further
serves as a meaningful form of the church's outreach into the community.
"It is commendable that the centre is named in honour of Mrs. Evangeline
Jervis, whose dedication to caring and providing for the less fortunate
inspired the erection of the new complex," he said.
Other dignitaries on-hand for the event included Minister Kenneth
Russell, Minister Neko Grant, Senator Kay Smith, Senator Frederick
McAlpine as well as the President of the West Indies Union Conference of
Seventh-Day Adventist Dr. Patrick Allen.
Dr. Allen in his brief opening remarks commended the church for their
commitment to community service. He said the creation of the centre
demonstrates the church's understanding of it's mission in accordance
with the will of God.
IN ATTENDANCE – Ministers and members of government were among those
present
at yesterday’s dedication service for the Seventh-Day Adventist’s
Evangeline Jervis
Community Service and Distribution Centre. Pictured are (from left) Min.
Neko Grant,
Min. Zhivargo Laing, Min. Loretta Butler-Turner, Senator Kay Smith,
Senator and Mrs. Frederick McAlpine and M.P. Kwasi Thompson. |
