As you may know we launched our fiftieth anniversary celebrations in September of 2008, when we also launched our Community Development Fund.  Much of our work since then has been couched in a journey of reflection and projection. As we have reflected on the journey thus far we have been inspired to look forward to the challenges and accomplishments to come. We had the opportunity to reflect on the first sermon of the Rev. John McGhie on September 13, 1959 when he said:

   “The Church satisfies human desire because:
1.      It is an institution of God, not man
2.      It is a refuge – a place of meditation & peace
3.      It is a preparation for life – transforming the kingdoms of this world into the kingdom of God on earth” 

At the laying of the corner stone on October 6, 1965, Sir Clifford Campbell, Governor General of Jamaica at that time remarked,
“The Church is the light of the world and as such its role is to give light to those in darkness and to lead those struggling onto the correct path”
 
And at the dedication of the Sanctuary on March 6 1966, Rev. Dr. Herbert Swaby challenged us with these words;
“The presence of the Church in Meadowbrook is a symbol of SACRIFICE made, to conquer Meadowbrook for Christ’s kingdom”
 
“…we must take the gospel to the secluded mansions and to the squalor…”
 
These sentiments have served as a reminder and a challenge as we celebrate the past and look to the future with renewed faith and vision.
Part of our vision for the future is to renew our commitment to be Gods representatives on earth in all aspects of our individual and corporate lives. At our 2008 elders’ retreat we adopted a vision statement as follows:
 

A VISION FOR THE FUTURE

Meadowbrook is a welcoming, affirming community of Christians worshipping God with joy.
We are fired up for Christ, touching and transforming lives.
Under the leadership and empowerment of the Spirit we seek to live in faithful obedience to the Great Commission.

To this end we have begun to explore ways to fulfill the demands of this vision.  Our celebrations so far have included both our Christmas and Easter Cantatas. They each received rave reviews with many persons expressing the view that they were the best we have done so far. 
 
In January we celebrated the vision that led to the establishment of our Church largely because of the selfless sacrifice of the Rev. Marjorie Saunders, whose foresight and commitment led her to make a substantial contribution to acquire the property we now occupy. We were saddened when a few weeks later, after visiting us for the last time on Ash Wednesday February 24th, her 96th birthday, she passed on to be with her Lord on March 1st. The Easter cantata “My Life, My Sacrifice, was dedicated to her memory.
 
One of the big events which will occur in 2010 is a Caribbean Cruise! We are proposing to host this cruise of the Caribbean in November 2010. This is an event that we want to share with as many of our friends as possible including you. Click here for more details...
 
We have launched our Community Development Fund which will seek by faith to raise US$ 500,000.00 or (J$50 Million) for the mission of the Church in our community. We will begin, in 2010, to initiate a number of projects aimed at reaching our community in new ways with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Among these projects is the building of a multi purpose stadium for the use of our community soccer team, whose recent promotion to the premier League is something we are proud of. We will also be constructing and equipping a recording studio where we will train interested youth in the skill of studio management and music production.

Rev. Dave Spence