The Tribune

By ALESHA CADET

Tribune Features Reporter

acadet@tribunemedia.net

Under the theme of “Celebrating the Past – Empowered for the Future”, members of the St Ambrose Anglican Church will observe 20 years of ministry this evening in a service of thanksgiving.

Leja Burrows, co-chair of the 20th anniversary steering committee, said there are several events planned this year, and tonight’s service, set to take place at the church on Gladstone Road at 6.30pm, will serve as the launch of the 2020 activities.

Additional events will include a pledge programme for the Activity Centre Building Fund, an ecumenical service for the Carmichael West Community, recognition of the 20th pastoral anniversary of the church’s Father Dwight Rolle, an Easter cantata led by the choir and a parish family Sunday dinner in November.

In its 20 plus year history, St Ambrose Parish has been served by six priests: Father Colin Saunders and Father Dwight Rolle as rectors, and Father Stephen Davies, Rev Beryl Higgs and Archdeacon James Palacious as assisting priests.

“In February, 2011, St Ambrose welcomed Father Dwight Rolle as its new rector. Coming from a Family Island parish with his young family, he connected to the church environment which was already family oriented,” said Ms Burrows.

“Standing now on the shoulders of Father Saunders, Father Rolle continued to foster growth and excitement by advancing the people of God for mission and ministry. He sees the church as a healthy and robust one as the level of commitment, involvement and ownership continue to increase.”

Father Rolle added: “The church is the people and the more excited people become about their life of discipleship, the more intentional and engaging the work of the church will be for both people and community alike. God has blessed the people of St Ambrose and has given us a goodly heritage and we are building on it. Hence the words of St Paul’s first letter to the Christian community at Corinth: ‘I planted, Apollos watered and but God gave the growth’.

“As a church family, we must trust Him continually that we reach our fullest potential for the work of ministry in His Church. It is my hope that the excitement that is alive in St Ambrose Church will continue for the greater glory of God.”

Father Rolle believes with addition of new ministries such as the Anglican Church Men, Anglican Young Adults, a children’s ministry, and the audio/visual Ministry, shows that God has been good to St Ambrose.

Ms Burrows said the church located on the corner of Gladstone and Carmichael Roads, occupies the refurbished former Trinity Church where the freed slaves worshipped and attended school.

She said the church established early as its the mandate the intention to serve as an outreach ministry, meeting the spiritual and physical needs of the residents of the surrounding community.

“It was decided that ten percent of the church’s income would be committed to outreach. St Ambrose brought new excitement and vigour, attracting the young families residing in the communities of Carmichael West. The youth programmes, marching band, choir, social outreach events and sporting teams soon became well known to many,” said Ms Burrows.

The 20th anniversary celebrations are set to culminate with an additional service of thanksgiving in January 2021.