THE NGLICAN Vol 18 No. 2 Published By The Diocese Of Jamaica & The Cayman Islands PRICE $100 SUMMER 2020 studies at McGill University earned him the Bachelor of Theology Degree and the Master’s in Sacred Theology in 1979. He was appointed a Research Fellow at Berkeley Divinity School at Yale University in 1988; and he received the Doctor of Ministry Degree from the Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge in 2004. Action-packed Ministry Oversight for construction of the Church of the Resurrection in Duhaney Park was his major achievement as Assistant Curate at The Church of St. Mary the Virgin. The project assigned by the Rector, the Rev. Canon Ernle Gordon, made Robert Thompson the first Curate in the Diocese to undertake a task of this magnitude. Conceived as a community centre and basic school, the structure showcases the work of two outstanding Jamaican artists, Carl Parboosingh and Bishop Thompson & Charmaine, Christopher Gonzales, both of whom offered his wife of 41 years their service free of cost. In 1980 he was appointed Rector of St. Jude’s, Stony Hill. Describing his 10 years at that Church as “my hardest bit of work,” Bishop Thompson recalls spearheading its Centenary Robert McLean Thompson Celebrations in 1987. This included monthly activities which featured presentations by specially invited guests from overseas. During - Born to Minister his tenure, he also guided the rebuilding of St. Phillip’s, Brandon Hill and St. Christopher’s, he Rt. Rev. Robert Thompson, who retires in Canon Weeville Gordon, Rector of St. James which were destroyed by fire and hurricane, August after 47 years of Ministry, declares Mission, Grange, which he attended as a T respectively. that his decision to pursue his lifelong vocation child, and who he said was “the model of in the Church was made for him by God. priesthood as he exuded a joy while exercising He subsequently served as Rector of St. The Suffragan Bishop of Kingston, who was his ministry,” ignited the spark within him Andrew Parish Church for 15 years from 1990- ordained a Deacon at age 24, admits that: to live a Christ-centred life and become a 2005, during which he was appointed a Canon “There were times when I said, this is not for me, priest. As a boarder at Jamaica College, he of the Cathedral. The transformative work but in the end, God has his way.” was further influenced by Fr. John McNab, undertaken by the Parish Church’s flagship School Chaplain and Rector of Church of the St. Andrew Settlement project in the Majesty In fact, there was a call on his life from his Ascension, Mona. Gardens community entered a new phase birth, as he says that his late mother, Elethia, when Bishop Thompson mobilized support literally presented her first born son as an Bishop Thompson entered the United from Habitat for Humanity and the Ministry of offering to God, in fulfilment of her desire Theological College in 1969 and was ordained Housing to construct houses on land leased to serve in the Baptist Church which, at the a Deacon on June 29, 1973, along with by the Church. He also successfully promoted time, did not accept female Ministers. His Archbishop Howard Gregory and The Rev. the establishment of a Community father, the Hon. James Thompson, former Canon Abner Powell. The following year, he Council to assume responsibility for Custos of Westmoreland, and the Rev. was ordained priest on Trinity Sunday. Further the protection and maintenance Cont’d on Pg 2 Photo by Billy Perkins 1 2 3 1. Ordained a Canon at of social facilities in the area. in our Diocese, with colleagues in the Cathedral The St. Andrew Care Centre for the Province of the West Indies, Street Boys which provided meals, and further afield,” he informs. sanitary facilities, basic education 2. Consecrated as Bishop and life skills was another initiative The funds also facilitated of Kingston led by this advocate for human development of the Diocesan and development, who has boldly Provincial websites. 3. With his late mother, engaged the support of private Elethia Thompson and public sector heads for Bonds of Support sundry projects over the years. Looking back at his 47 years in 4. Seated with his wife, ministry, he notes that the late He speaks of the joy in serving Charmaine and sons as a parish priest with overall Bishop Alfred Reid was a major Matthew (left) and responsibility for a Cure, teaching source of spiritual guidance. At Joseph 4 Confirmation class, conducting the same time, he says young Baptismal interviews and visiting clergy have also mentored him. fish, and when it comes to the sick and shut-ins. yourself, don’t bother to apply.” “Clergy must learn to rely on relaxing, he says: “There is nothing He adds that there has to be a “When you can enter through others in order to achieve their like having a Red Stripe with a deep movement in the lives and the backdoors of your members’ objectives,” he advises. “This is friend, or a glass of red wine.” souls of priests which reflects this home, you are in. You belong; not a one-man show. You must A serving of curried goat and love. they belong to you; and you seek buy-in from members of your roti, for which he developed an have to love and care for them,” congregation, and also find a way affinity during his childhood in the He says that he plans to be he maintains. to incorporate those persons who farming community of Fort William around; and therefore, persons you perceive to ‘terrorize’ their in Westmoreland, where many can approach him for counselling This is an aspect of pastoral Rector.” Indians lived, is a great treat for and advice. “Let love reign in ministry that Bishop Robert him. our hearts for each other and this misses since his consecration as Family adds value to our ministry Church of ours,” he concludes. Suffragan Bishop of Kingston on and meaning to life, and clergy Looking Ahead May 31, 2005. However, he says should always remember this, Written by Beverley Newell based on As he looks forward to retirement, his Episcopacy has enabled him Bishop Robert states. He is an Interview done by Bishop Thompson advises clergy to serve both his fellow clergy and especially grateful for the support The Rev. Olando Gayle and persons entering ordained thousands of members across the of his parents, who are both ministry that: “If you don’t love six parishes in the Region. deceased; his wife, Charmaine, who he says has been a wonderful the Lord, and if you don’t love One highlight of his tenure was his resource to him; successful negotiation of a grant his sons, Matthew THE EDITORIAL COMMITTEE from Trinity Church, Wall Street and Joseph; and in the United States of America his granddaughter, Ven. Patrick Cunningham – Chair to enhance the Social Media Maliyah, who he NGLICAN Beverley Newell – Editor capabilities of the Diocese. describes as his Is produced by John Aarons – Archives & History “bundle of joy.” The Editorial Committee Clavia Watson-Reid – Design & Layout “This has enabled us to deepen of The Communication Board Rev. Craig Mears – Youth Ministry virtual communication especially An avid reader, Bishop of The Diocese of Jamaica & The Cayman Islands Claudine Heaven – Advertising during this COVID-19 pandemic; Thompson also enjoys Rev. Olando Gayle – Contributor listening to music, and it has fundamentally Email us: Tony Patel - Diocesan Photographer changed how we communicate caring his ornamental [email protected] 2 The Anglican SUMMER 2020 EDITORIAL Communicating in a different way One of the results of the corona virus pandemic which has swept the Therefore, when the pandemic struck and face-to-face meetings world is the need to communicate in new ways, using the Internet and Church Services were cancelled, the Diocese had in and Information Technology. Our Diocese, fortunately, was prepared place the personnel and facilities to allow new methods of for this. This is largely because of a 2016 Synod Resolution which communicating. As a result, meetings are now being held on-line, called for the “reconstitution of the Communications Committee, information on church-related matters – including times for the now Board, with a view towards implementing a more effective streaming of services - is being disseminated on a timely basis via strategy for communications within the Diocese”. Among various the website, What’sApp groups and other social media channels. suggested measures was to make “better and more widespread use of technology.” On behalf of the Communications Board, I would like to thank everyone responsible for establishing and maintaining these The Communications Board quickly embraced this challenge, communication channels. Appreciation in particular is being produced a Communications Policy and took measures to enhance expressed to Mr Yhanic Morris, the Systems Administrator; Miss the use of technology. These included the revision and upgrading Beverley Newell, the Communications Officer and Mrs Clavia of the existing website, the increased presence of social media as a Watson-Reid; the Social Media Officer for their work in keeping result of the employment of a full-time Social Media Officer (to join the us connected in what The Rev. Canon Dr. Georgia “Grace” Communications Officer who was by then full-time), the organization Jervis has so appropriately described as these “differently difficult and delivery of training courses in all Regions of the Diocese and the times”. procurement of computer paraphernalia to enable on-line meetings. The purchase and installation of the computer hardware and software The Rt Rev Robert Thompson, was facilitated by a grant to the Diocese from the Trinity Wall Street Bishop Suffragan of Kingston & Church in New York and the Diocese is greatly indebted to them.