Now Officially In Charge

(The following is adapted from an article submitted for publication in the newspaper of the Anglican Diocese of Belize.)

Early in September clergy from all parts of the Diocese came to Punta Gorda to welcome a fellow priest newly arrived from Canada. They were an impressive group lined up outside beautiful little St. Joseph’s Church in Punta Gorda for the Service of Institution and Induction. The church is located on Main Street in the centre of town, just a stone’s throw from the Town Square. Along with a gathering of faithful parishioners, they heard Dean Lloyd Neal welcome the Rev. Stanley Isherwood as the new Priest-In-Charge. Moments later Fr. Stanley received from members of his new congregation the symbols of his office and calling. He then knelt before the altar and prayed, “O Lord, my God, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; yet you have called your servant to stand in your house, and to serve at your altar”.

There is no musical instrument in St. Joseph’s, but a musician from the town brought his keyboard and led in the singing of the hymns, including such favourites as Bind us together with love and Here I am, Lord. Representatives of the Roman Catholic and Methodist Churches were present and represented the other Churches in Punta Gorda.

Following the service the women of the parish presided over a delicious meal, but Fr. Stanley, not too long from Canada, and somewhat overcome with all the excitement, ate sparingly. As he wrote afterwards in his dairy, “It seemed to be a joyful service and I was able to follow the directions of the Dean and others so that I was usually where they wanted me at the appropriate time. I felt somewhat emotional, both thinking of the call here and also missing those at home.”

It should be noted that the clergy were gathered not only for the Induction but also for meetings to discuss such items as the proposed ministry among the Maya of Toledo District and the thorny question of the Church’s stance on varieties of human sexuality.

Today Is One Beautiful Day

The following was written about September 5, a few days after arriving in PG. SI

Today is one beautiful day. There is a clear view across the Sea to Guatemala and a slight breeze blowing. Last night, like every night since I arrived in Punta Gorda there was a major downpour accompanied by thunder and lightening. But by morning it’s gone and we start a new day freshly washed.

The accommodations upstairs are quite adequate for two and spacious for one, and I’m getting used to the way things work, or don’t! At the moment we are waiting for phone and gas service to be restored and the fridge serviced, but the electricity and water are doing fine.

I spent a few minutes this morning with the twelve or so pre-schoolers who meet downstairs each weekday morning with Miss Elizabeth. They are an amazingly cute bunch, scrubbed clean and turned out in their striped school shirts. We sang “Jesus loves me”, and it is certainly hard to imagine that he doesn’t. We’ll meet once a week in the church for worship, and maybe some of the parents will join us occasionally.

The four days that I have been here so far have been mostly spent getting oriented, tracking down the bank, post office, police station, grocery stores, best restaurants, and particularly the internet café. And then meeting people, many of whom I felt I had already met, thanks to the detailed reports of my predecessors here. Then there was the Sunday Service with about thirty in attendance. There are certainly enough small children for a Sunday School and, I suspect, a few parishioners who could look after one if they can only be convinced to do so. Lyle, the very competent lay reader, and I chose hymns I know so I could join in the lusty singing. But every service starts with one I’m not familiar with, Come in and sit down. One verse goes:
Children and elders, middlers and teens,
Singles and couples and in-betweens,
Strong eighty-fivers and streetwise sixteens,
For we are a part of the family.
This probably fits most congregations, but the people of St. Joseph’s have consciously said, “That’s us”, and now they have a new member of the family.

Hello Everyone
So sorry there's been nothing posted since I arrived in Belize. But then, maybe you hadn't noticed - no one posted any comments. Feel free to, if you don't mind other people reading them. I have been busy but the biggest hold-up has been the long wait to get internet-connected. Well, it hasn't happened yet so this is coming from the Internet Cafe, just off the top of my head. Your prayers for both me and Belize would be appreciated as we head into Independence Day tomorrow, September 21.
Noise and rain have been my chief impressions of the Town of Punta Gorda, and with tomorrow's celebration the noise will be infinitely more and longer. St. Joseph's Church is located right at the heart of town, next to the Town Square where everything happens. Where else would the Anglicans build?
I'm hoping to send pictures and vignettes soon - the modem "may arrive on Friday". I really appreciate hearing from any who want to send an email and I try to reply whenever I pick them up.
Blessings.