August 2008 — Volume V - the Methodist Church - LID

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Pastoral Care in Light of the Resurrection
By Rev. Dr. Joan Delsol Meade,
Methodist Manse, Sint Eustatius
hristian pastoral care recog-
C nises a human need for transcendence
and helps persons towards
that end. Always, we need
reminders that help us to focus on
the power of the presence of God
and claim its benefits for our life
together. For if God is for us, who
can be against us? It is necessary
for us to look beyond the present circumstances, especially
when the situations we encounter suggest
that we should give up and throw in the towel. When
we experience the worst, we need to remember that
God brought Jesus back from death. Then we can
claim and help others claim the power of his promise:
I am the Resurrection and the Life.
The resurrection of Christ declares God’s victory
for the world. Divine love is supremely at work, liberating
the entire cosmos towards God’s ultimate purpose.
The resurrection speaks of transformation in
the midst of what is most destructive, death itself. To
believe in the resurrection is to assert that transformation
in pastoral care is possible through the divine
power that overcomes destruction, heals and renews.
If we know that in God, who raised Christ from death,
nothing is impossible, then we find the courage to
help others to enter into God’s possibilities for their
lives.
Because he lives, (we) can face tomorrow.
In fact, we can triumph today. And we can help
others to look forward to triumph even when they are
going through life’s worst, for
When death’s powers had done their worst,
Christ their legions had dispersed.
The activities that we engage in as we care for others
must help them to sing on the inside.
Jesus has died and has risen again pardon
and peace to bestow
(and that peace is mine to claim)
Fully I trust him from sins guilty stains. Jesus
saves me now.
(even as I feel unloved and unholy).
The Christian narrative of Christ’s life, death and
resurrection is a story of hope. The bible goes beyond
the physical resurrection to the ascension of the
Risen Christ, who through the Holy Spirit empowers
those who believe. To all who receive him he gives the
power to live like the children of God. Hope is the plus
for the believer. In hopeless situations, those who offer
care out of the love that God gives us can help
others ‘to view things not just as they have been or
even as they are, but in terms of possibilities and po-
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tential’.
Supporting and holding those who suffer through
painful, difficult, tragic and seemingly hopeless situations
means giving them cause to hold on. The inspiration
of hope is an indispensable ingredient of pastoral
care. It is central to the pastoral task. As the
Body of Christ, a priesthood of all believers, we are
called to care for God’s people where we are. Then
may we as pastors, lay and ordained, find the inspiration
to give such service as we seek to know Christ
and the power of his resurrection.
94 PUPILS GRADUATE AT MAC 28TH
SCHOOL-LEAVING EXERCISE
he Class of 2008
T comprised to 94 pupils
of the Methodist
Agogic Centre (MAC) Rev.
John A. Gumbs and
Browlia F. Maillard Campuses,
were in the lime
light during their schoolleaving
exercise themed
“Go the Distance” marking
MAC’s 28th annual
observance.
Pupil Annebelle Vlaun
was honoured as the pupil
of the year after
achieving a 95% average
on her final examination.
MAC’s Executive Director,
Mr. Clinton Spring,
presented her with the
Executive Director’s
Award for Excellence,
noting her inspiring diligence
throughout her
years at MAC.
The Chairman of the
MAC School Board, Rev.
E. Lloyd Brissett, in his
words of encouragement
to the graduates suggested
three pieces of
advice: 1) put God first
in their lives; 2) strive
after excellence and 3)
choose their friends
wisely. He also advised
parents to play their role
in their children’s lives,
as the report constantly
in the media about gang
fights, attack on teachers,
sexual morality were
very disturbing.
Addressing the Class of
School-leavers, the Keynote
Speaker was a former
MAC pupil, Romain
LaVille. Reflecting on the
theme, “Go the Distance”,
he reminded the pupils
that on the road ahead of
them, success should
not be an individual accomplishment
or effort,
but instead as a class
they should insure that
all their peers succeed by
giving a helping hand in
instances of obstacles.
He also reminded them
never to forget the morals
and ethics learnt at
MAC and recommended
that they seize the many
opportunities offered in
this very privilege time in
which we live.