News from Grenada June 2024

It is now June and I am not sure where the time goes. I am due to leave here at the end of August or beginning of September and I am making the most of the short time I now have here.

I am aware it takes time to build relationships and for people to trust you. There are some people who will stay for a long time and provide that stability and that is so important. For others, like me, I see my role as helping people look at their situation and identifying how they could move forward on their Christian faith journey. I hope that I have planted some seeds and, in some ways, I am beginning to see some germinate.

It was never my plan to stay here long term and my observations leading to my decision to move on was that staying longer would not make too much difference other than filling a gap.

Do pray for the Presbyterian Church in Grenada as they work out the next stage on their journey.

At this stage there is no firm plan of what I will do next, but we are working on it. God has it all in hand. It is likely I will return to the UK and move on to whatever is next.

Mac Donald college
There have not been many Assemblies due to Exams starting and sound systems not working. I have continued to help with RE and Guidance lessons.
Some of which have been in the counsellor’s room which is better as you don’t get the distraction from outside. I think I have done my last class now as this next month is Exams for the whole school. Then Graduation. I have produced a prayer which is postered around the school they can use before exams.

I continue to do staff reflections on Monday and Thursday and this will continue until 4th July - my last school day and election day in the UK.

Parents Group
We have now completed 2 sessions with 4 parents and 2 teachers. Out of 400 who were invited not many responded, but a good interactive group. I tried to do one at the Primary school too, but had no takers.

Holiday in Tobago:
This was a week in May and a bit too close to my time in April. I had the date booked due to another cancelled appointment. I had a good time and was able to walk some of the island, but was stopped by a blister for a few days. It is a lovely Island, part of Trinidad. If I went again I would stay north, which is a bit more rustic.

At Church:
On the 1st and 3rd Sunday two families are now putting the service together and just passing it by me for ideas. They had a bit of a go when I was in the UK and so I am hoping that when I move on, they will continue to do this. We have also got more people now leading the services (from a Script) and doing readings and prayers. In September the service will need to return to it’s original time of 11.30am as Rev James can then come up after taking the St Georges service at 8am twice a month.

We now have 4 young people and few adults involved in membership sessions which are covering what is Christianity, Prayer, Communion, the Holy Spirit, the Bible, baptism and more. This is hopeful seeds and the young people are so good at asking difficult questions.

Hall:
There is till some work to be done but the water restriction has prevented cleaning it inside, but I hope to sweep and start to use for games soon.

Conference of Churches
I with two others have been asked to look at the process of the Conference. Many times, there is lots of good discussion and not much follow up or action. From the last meeting we now have the minutes going out earlier with action points. This has helped a little. There is need for clarity of role as we do not have the people resources to do all as it did before.

I continue to work on trying to encourage more Guidance lessons in school, but the process is slow. Maybe my pushing, is having an impact we are not yet aware of?

Family who stayed:
They are still staying a distance from here I hope to visit this weekend.

Youth group: Wed 2.30-4pm
One of the children have come to service on Sunday for a couple of weeks. It is still a struggle with a couple who come and disrupt and then go. But we continue on the theme of temptations, with bible quotes, discussion, games and prayer and my First Aid tip at the end. We only have about 3 left now and there are no plans for continuation, which is such a pity.

Prayed before Exams for Primary
There is now a gap between the Grade 6 exams and Holiday’s. I am running a Transition Workshop for 3 sessions both at the Samaritan Presbyterian Primary and at the Anglican Primary School.

Open Space Fri 2.45-3.45pm (Children's Group):
The group for under 10s continues to be busy and we have been doing some Old Testament stories amongst games and craft. Just 3 more.

International Zoom Gathering
Sundays 4pm in Grenada and 9pm in the UK. We have now held 2 and will continue this trial for a few months to see. It is great to get different people involved in this half hour online service.
Meeting ID: 818 6102 9079

Do come Last Chance
There is still opportunity to come out before I go. I am aware the travel cost is high, but I can accommodate you. I am always keen to arrange a Zoom meet up with individuals or groups Just make contact.

God Bless your Month

Nigel Lindsay

pastornigel19@ yahoo.co.uk or what app +1 473 458 1932 or +142 7917 222 304