One of the highlights of the Lenten Season 2009 at Susamachar was the Baptism/Confirmation Service, where fifteen persons made that personal

commitment to join the Jesus Family. There were two children who were encouraged by their parents to take this step, but the adults having attended worship services for years in some cases, requested Baptism and Confirma-

tion. Among the newly Baptised/Confirmed members were some families: A father and three children; a hus-band, wife and child ; and a mother with her son. To God be the Glory!

The Secretary, Susamachar Presbyterian Church

Presbyterian Primary schools continue to excel in SEA exams. According to the report of the Ministry Of Education of the top students who get 95% and more

some 48 students s of 165 were from Presbyterian schools.Topping the list were schools like Grant Memorial (12), Warrenville(7),Vistabella(6),Tacarigua(5)and Curepe(4). How-ever it is always good to see other schools getting into the picture, some for the first time; So those with three students – Freeport and Canaan; Those with two students – Exchange, Princes Town#1 and Balmain; The schools who had one excel-lent student were Jordan Hill and Tabaquite.

One observation from the list is the obvious dominance of girls even from this stage of the educational journey. Our Presbyterian schools did get some boys forward, but this is a

What’s Inside:The Moderator Speaks – Pg 2Editorial- Pg 3Counselling Column– Pg 6Arrival Celebrations – Pg 10Good Cooking – Pg 13Happy Workers – Pg 14Colouring Page – Pg 20Aluminium Smelter – Pg23

THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATIONOF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

IN TRINIDAD & TOBAGO

$3 • JULY 2009 • VOL CV No.6presbyterianchurchtt.org

Susumachar celebrates Baptisms

Primary schools excel at SEA exams

Patricia Jagessar, Mohanie Maharaj, Suresh Maharaj, Vevek Reddy Mathangi, Hema Rampersad, Samantha Sambucharan, Lolita Singh, Suneeta Thireedi, Kevin Gooljar, Amrita A. Maharaj

continued on page 6Viren Jaimungalsingh, Jordan Hill SEA (95%+) student

Page 1The Trinidad Presbyterian

Recently the Ministry of National Secu-rity( MNS) invited religious leaders to be part of dialectic process as regards

crime in Trinidad and Tobago. We are there-fore faced with the question: How could the “churches” enter into partnership with the Government as regards a response to crime and violence in our country? It is not that the churches and its schools should take away from the role of the MNS, but that it should be recognised that church and school are integral institutions of learning and socialisa-tion and that is where the problem of crime begins in our society. As a church we do not want to encourage the passing of the buck, but we do want to make a difference and we do feel that our opin-ions, our insights and our actions can make a difference.

Recently too, one of our ministers made an open call for a “summit” to deal with crime. While all may not have taken this is good faith, at least the MNS has seen that there must be merit in having meaningful dialogue so that the work which is being done in church and schools can pave the foundation for the work of the other efforts of the state. In this regard we therefore toss out some of the areas of pos-sible partnership for the benefit of all concerned:

a) Schools /Education – In schools we can reinforce the process of Values Education. We can also go further to create a universal ethical code that is based on our multi-religious society. We have also been working on groups like the Scouts and Girl guides that create positive habits and values. We want to suggest the need for institutions somewhere between school and prison, institutions of a more rigid disci-pline as well as the opportunity for rehabilitation for young people who are already on a criminal path and for those who are potentially criminally minded. YTC is not enough

b) We see the need for more Rehabilita-tion and Life Enrichment centres to cater for those who have been involved in substance abuse and anyone including ex convicts who might be ready and willing to refocus as regards meaningful living. We feel that the police especially need to be more professional, better trained and will-ing to protect the public.

c) On the Community level, we want to suggest collaborative efforts among school church representatives (chaplains), social workers and community police in response

to domestic violence and any other threat that would destabilize the family unit. There needs to be more careful work with children, especially those who do not have prop-er family support. More funds should be spent on these workers and their training than is being done presently.

d) Much has to be done also in the areas of Policing and Law. We recognise that these are areas under review, but we feel that there are some open wounds of mistrust and injustice that need to be treated so that our society can have respect and so that people will feel happy to comply with what is being done by the authorities.

One would see therefore that this is not going to be mindless chatter. This is going to be a process of reflec-tion that results in action. We also invite other religious groups to come together quickly so that we may discuss these ideas and we shall be taking positive steps to begin this aspect of the process.

We look forward to the input and the help of church workers, teachers and all other professionals in our mem-bership to make this effort the best that we can do. The Rt.Rev.Elvis Elahie

Editorial: Keepers of God’s Creation.Moderator Speaks - Response to crime in T&T

The Trinidad Presbyterian: Communications Committee

The Trinidad Presbyterian, established in 1904, is the official organ of the Presbyterian Church in Trinidad and Tobago, founded in 1868 by Rev. John Morton.

Chairperson – Mrs. Priscilla JuteSecretary – Mrs. Hazoon Baksh-DassTreasurer – Mrs. Geeta Manbodh-LakhanEditor-in-Chief – Rev. Dr. Randall Sammah

• Rev. Daniel Chance • The Rt. Rev. Elvis Elahie • Deaconess Ashmin Gajadhar • Rev. Stephen Harripersad • Rev. Emmanuel Ramdeen • Deaconess Marlene Seenathsingh• Rev. Everson Sieunarine • Rev. Damien Sieunarine• Rev. Ralph Umraw • Mr. Allan Ramdeen

• Mrs. Nola Ramlogan • Mr. Felix Rampersad• Mrs. Indra Ramsaywak • Mr. Daniel Sahadeo

Corresponding Members: Mrs. Salima Geetan-Sambrano (Editing & Proof-reading)Mr. Kendrick Sooknarine (Publishing) 1-868-799-1095Ms. Vicky Boodram (Media) STATUTORY DATE OF MEETING: THIRD TUESDAY, 9:30 AMADDRESS: P.O. Box 187, Paradise Hill, San FernandoEMAILS: pctt1868@gmail.com OR pctt@tstt.net.tt OR trinidadpresbyterian@gmail.com

ART PRODUCTION: Mr. Narend SooknarineDISCLAIMER: The editorial committee may not agree with the views expressed by the writers.

Please note that if you wish to submit an article to the Trinidad Presbyterian (TP), there are some simple guidelines to follow:

1. Deadline for submission of all articles is the 15th of each month. Late submittals of articles have a way of causing sleepless nights.2. Articles should be TYPED and EMAILED to ALL of the following addresses: trinidadpresbyterian@gmail.com ; pctt1868@gmail.com ; pctt@tstt.net.tt3. Please use - Times Roman font, 12-point Size.4. ALL articles must have a writer’s name (or names) and a suggested title.

5. If photographs are submitted, give full details of name(s), location, details of the event and so forth. In particular, CHECK SPELLING OF NAMES. Where possible, please send good quality medium- or high-resolution digital photos.6. If your article must be HANDWRITTEN, please deliver your hard-copy to: Synod’s Office, PO Box 187, Paradise Hill, San Fernando. VERY EARLY!

Thank You for Your Kind Cooperation!

The Communications Committee, May 2009

Article Submission Guidelines for the Trinidad Presbyterian

The ruling by Justice Mira Dean-Armorer to quash the decision of the EMA to issue a certificate of clearance to Alutrint should be a wake up call to all

of us. While there are two sides to the equation – to build or not to build, there are deeper implications for all of us.

Of major concern to us is the impact such an industry will have on the environment and on the health on the residents in the area. The protagonists have said that the effects are minimal. Experience elsewhere shows us that very often what is told to the people is a lot of “spin”. A good movie that reminds us of this is Erin Brockovich, with Julia Roberts in the lead role. It tells the story of a law clerk who investigates how a major industry has misled citizens near its plant into thinking that all is well when all the time lethal waste was being deposited onto the land.

This smelter plant is also an affront to God’s creation. Al-ready thousands of acres of forest have been cleared, and many species of plant and animal destroyed or displaced. All this in the name of development! Many years ago, in a course entitled “Christian Social Teachings”, the professor emphasized that development can lead to underdevelop-ment. This forest has clearly suffered a great price.

What exactly is our understanding of creation? The Chris-tian understanding of creation acknowledges that God is

the creator and sustainer of the world. Creation is intrinsi-cally good. God appointed humans to protect and pre-serve God’s earth. The truth is, we have failed and irrepa-rably destroyed God’s earth. When God completed His work of creation “it was very good” (Genesis 1:31). What is good is worth preserving. God’s immanence means that God continues to be concerned about creation. If we destroy creation we can end up destroying ourselves, thereby rejecting what God intends for all creation. The global climatic changes are proof of this.

We have to stop only thinking of making profits, which only ends up in the hands of a few anyway. Trickle down economics is a myth. Sustainable development is what we must all strive for. We must get rid of our imperialistic attitudes over nature.

As a church let us never forget that “the earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof….we are standing on holy ground”. “I place before you Life and Death. Choose Life so that you and your children will live” (Deuteronomy 30:19).

Meanwhile the murder rate is going wild and the police stations are being disrespected.

Rev. Dr. Randall Sammah

Page 2 The Trinidad Presbyterian Page 3The Trinidad Presbyterian

I attended in East Indian apparel after all, it was Indian Arrival Day! With the scenic sapphire waters of the Gulf of Paria in the background, an audience of almost

equal women and men assembled at Naparima College to meditate upon the selected theme: “While Earth Re-mains”., by three great speakers.

The first discourse was by the inimitable and charismatic Rev. Adrian Sieunarine also in East Indian attire! He had a deep concern for the dire state into which we have allowed this beloved planet to sink. He reminded the gathering that the earth and all its fullness are indeed the Lord’s and we had the responsibility of ensuring that it remains as long as God wills. Ever since that day, I swear I feel an inordinate sense of guilt if I waste the tiniest bit of paper.

Immediately following a snack, we were pleased to listen to a most informative and concise update of legislation, policies and practices adopted by nations and groups in the field of environmental preservation and protection. Mr. Rodney Harrinarine, aptly brought together our theme and the motto of the Board “As one that serves”. Professor Brinsley Samaroo revived our pride and dignity as descendants of a people whose courage and dedica-tion to their new faith in a land that was often hostile to them, is often undervalued. The Professor began with the greeting “Shubh Bharatiya Aanewale Din!” (Happy Indian Arrival Day!); this greeting set the tone for the rest of his address.

According to Prof. Samaroo, those pioneers were neither faint-hearted nor complacent, neither docile nor easily daunted, and we ought to recognize their contribution and follow their sterling examples.

He named a host of church workers who made invalu-able contributions to the East Indian community, to the Presbyterian Church, and to this nation, among them Rev. Babu Lal Behari, Rev. James Rameshwar, Rev. Collin Pragsingh, Ralph Laltoo, James Sammy; the host of cath-ecists and Bible women – Sarah Lall, Alicia Ramnath and Alice Jamadar; as well as Rev. Mary Naimool, the PCTT’s first ordained female Minister of Religion.

However, he singled out three outstanding individu-als – Charles Soodeen, Charles David Lalla and Clarence Carmichael Abidh – all of whom proactively ‘changed the world’ in their time.

-Charles Soodeen served as the Presbyterian representa-tive on the National Board of Education, and under his leadership, the number of schools grew from one school in 1869 to fifty-four in 1895! Under his tenure in 1902, primary school fees were abolished. Charles David Lalla was a pioneer in many ways – he was the founder and first President of the local Bee-keepers Association, the founder and first President of the East Indian National Congress in 1909, and the first local Moderator of the PCTT in 1931. Clarence Carmichael Abidh, an indentured labourer, was self-educated. He rose through the ranks of the education system to the post of Principal of the Cha-guanas Presbyterian School and the Board of Education Representative from 1946 to 1953. He founded the C.M. (Canadian Mission) School Teachers’ Association in 1927. He was an elected member of the Legislative Council in 1946. Prof. Samaroo pointed out that all three gentle-men had been politically active in their time, and further, that political involvement in and of itself was not tainted, today’s evidence notwithstanding.

He said that Presbyterians in this country helped Muslim and Hindu schools become established, and Muslim and Hindu marriages legalized in 1939 and 1945 respectively! How? They were the ones who were able to interpret the Hindi, Bhojpuri and Urdu languages in order to help secure the rights so long denied to those of East Indian descent...

I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. I learned much - both about my church and the rich heritage of my ances-tors. Through the eyes of a (Presbyterian) Woman

Jesslyn Ramlal

The Barrackpore Union Presbyterian Church, established February 1911, plans to celebrate its Centenary in 2011 in a new building.

The 49 year old structure was demolished to make way for a new building.

On Sunday 26th April 2009 after the morning worship, mem-bers of the congregation assembled on the site to witness the Sod Turning Ceremony to start construction of the new build-ing. The projected cost is two million dollars.

An appeal is being made to all our friends in the Presbyterian Community for a generous financial donation towards the financing of this project.

Your contributions can be made through our Bank: RBTT BANK LIMITED, High Street, San Fernando, Account No.971.100.506.7; or through the Local Board Treasurer of the Barrackpore Union Presbyterian Church.

We look forward for your support and pray God would richly bless you and your family.

Karamchand Mitchell

The Mayo Presbyterian Church recently held a widows’ program in an attempt to foster camaraderie and unity among women with a common life experience.

Widows from both the church and community were invited to spend their morning with the elders and members of the church’s Prayer Group. Khadija Belgrave graced the gather-ing with the song “Hero” as an opening to the session. The program was chaired by elder Sandra Singh and after a short meditation on Timothy 5: 3- 8, an inspirational mes-sage was delivered by Simone Singh on the theme “A Time to Remember.” The ladies then participated in an open ses-sion where they recounted experiences with their deceased husbands and this proved to be quite emotional but yet enjoyable. A song was rendered by Simone and Samantha Singh, after which the program was closed with prayer by elder Shirlyn Beharry.

Lunch was served to all and the ladies thanked the mem-bers and expressed their eagerness to participate in an-other gathering of this nature.

Sandra Singh- Mayo

Barrackpore Union Church Rebuilding

A time to remember

Cunupia’s 119th

The 47th Annual Conference - Board of Men

The Cunupia Church Choir leads in worship. The church celebrated its 119th (1890-2009) Anniversary recently.

Page 4 The Trinidad Presbyterian Page 5The Trinidad Presbyterian

Recently I have been remembering some funny stories I know about some of the missionaries who served in our country during the missionary era. These stories

always bring a smile to my face and I feel I ought to share them with the wider membership of our Church.

Most of our members would remember the late Rev. Mary McInally, who once acted as Principal of St. Andrew’s Theological College. Because of an illness which affected her coordination she was always falling and injuring herself and at times had difficulty driving. The Board of Mission of the United Church of Canada, hearing about this situation banned her from driving. What the Board of Mission did not know was that she was taking flying les-sons three times a week. Her comment about this – “They banned me from driving not from flying.”

During one of the flying lessons in which she was not doing very well, the terrified instructor told her “Reverend, you may be ready to meet your Maker, but I am not…. Would you be more careful?”

Most Presbyterians would remember the late Rev. Charles Kitney, who served as Moderator of the Synod of the Presbyterian Church for one term. One day he was doing some yard work on the Mission compound in Princes Town, when a group of a few hundred young people was seen marching on Edward Street and was heading for the main shopping area in Princes Town. A few of the young people whom he knew, asked him to join them in the march. Rev. Kitney, who was always a great supporter of young people, without asking any questions, left what he was doing and joined the march.

The next day there was a big picture of him in the news-paper marching with the young people in Princes Town. It was only when he read the story accompanying the photograph that he realized that he had participated in a black power demonstration march.

On another occasion, Rev. Kitney, while he was serving as Business Manager of the Church returned from the Synod’s Office at midday and realized that his wife Elaine was not at home. Since it was lunch-time he used what looked like sandwich spread from the refrigerator and made himself a sandwich.

When Elaine returned later, he told her that she should buy some more of the sandwich spread because it was very delicious. After she checked the refrigerator she dis-covered to her surprise and amusement that Rev. Kitney had made his sandwich with the cat food.

When Ms. Margaret Scrimgeour was Principal of Napa-rima Girls’ High School she lived in the Principal’s House on the School compound. Ms. Joy Vickery and Ms. Mabel

Brandow shared the house with her. One night a man tried to break into the house, no doubt with the intention of trying to steal something. The three ladies decided to surprise him. Armed with a baseball bat, a rolling pin and a piece of wood they chased him down La Pique Road. He was glad to escape. Later on, one of them wrote to a friend in Canada describing their encounter with the man. The friend promptly wrote back saying, “Shame on you three women chasing after the same man”.

Rev. Arthur Dayfoot, a past Principal of St. Andrew’s Theological College supervised preaching classes. Part of his responsibility required him to listen to ministerial students preach and then to lead a discussion on the ser-mon. After listening to one student’s effort, Rev. Dayfoot who was always very careful with his comments shocked the class by his remarks to the aspiring preacher: “Take that sermon, tear it in two part. Throw away one part and burn the other part”. After over thirty years, students from that preaching class, including the preacher, who is an ordained minister of our Church, still choke up with laughter when they talk about that incident.

The late Rev. Lawrence Purdy who served as Chaplain at Naparima College for a few years told a fifth form class of conducting a wedding in a remote country district in Trinidad. As it was raining heavily the bride and bride-groom could not get to the car which was parked some fifty metres away from the little Church. The mud-track leading to the Church could not accommodate the car. Somebody brought a donkey and the newly married cou-ple took turns on the donkey’s back to get to the car. Rev. Purdy witnessed this with great amusement and quickly quipped to the delight of all who heard his remark, “What God has joined together let no man put an ass under.”

Rev. Cyril Paul

Remembering Missionaries Counselling Column: Misinterpreted

Dear Rev. Paul, Good to see the Counselling Column back! It was missed and I feel certain all readers of the “Trinidad Presbyterian” will welcome it back.

My husband and I have great difficulty communicating with each other. It is almost as if we are always on different frequencies. We nearly always end up in an argument as we both seem to misinterpret what the other is saying. Can you say something helpful to us?

Sgd. “Misinterpreted”

Dear “Misinterpreted”

Thanks for writing to the “Counselling Column”, I hope I do not misinterpret your question and the concern you are rais-ing and expressing.

From my counselling experience, I hear couples express your sentiment fairly regularly. It would seem that your concern is fairly widespread.

In the books “Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus” and “You just don’t understand”, authors John Gray and Deborah Tannen have done an excellent job of explaining why couples end up arguing. Because men and women have different communication styles, they often misinterpret what the other is saying. A man may take his wife’s claims that she is unhappy personally instead of realizing she is

just letting off steam. The woman may resent her husband’s well-meaning attempts to offer advice when all she wants is a sympathetic shoulder or a good listening ear. Despite lov-ing intentions, these breakdowns in communication result in hurt-filled conflicts which can lead to greater problems like estrangement and alienation.

The good news is that even though men and women oper-ate on “different frequencies” to use your description of your concern they can learn to communicate on the same wave length. It calls though, for careful listening, a great deal of patience, the ability to let some remarks go without comment, the willingness to not take everything said in a personal way and the maturity to discuss whatever is said in a non-judgmental or hostile way.

Women can learn that grumbling is not necessarily nega-tive or bad (John Gray points out that it means the man is considering the woman’s request versus his needs), and men can learn that when a woman talks about her troubles, she does not necessarily want her guy to fix it.

You get get the books, reading them and applying their insights can help you and your partner maintain marital balance.

Sgd.: Rev. Cyril Paul(If you have a question you would like answered in this Column, write to: Rev. Cyril Paul, #53, First Street, Barataria.)

The National Library and Information System Authority (Nalis) has expressed thanks to Jit Ganessingh, retired principal and poet of Balmain, Couva for donating 26

copies of his book of poems, “Scent of Roses” for distribution to libraries nationwide.

Mrs. Annette Wallace, Executive Director and Ms. Charmaine Glasgow, Librarian, Technical Services Department expressed thanks.The book contains 76 poems on nature, love, tributes and travels, with a preface by Author/Poet Willie Chen. For his literary interests, Mr. Ganessingh was elected a Life Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts in 1968 and in 2002 received a National Award, The Medal of Merit (MOM) for Community Service in the sphere of Literary Activities. Soon to be published is Ganessingh’s next book of poems – “Vintage Poems”. Basdeo B. Rampersad

National Library thanks Poet Ganessingh

Primary schools excel at SEA exams (continued from page1)

matter that needs to be addressed in the future. Is it the boys or is the system too uninteresting for the boys? So we thank those teachers who took the time out to work with the boys in the SEA class.

On behalf of the Presbyterian community we congratulate all teachers especially those who burn the extra hours to get students prepared for exams. We also wish to encour-age the schools who are trying to take their students up a bit higher. If you have done it once you can do it again. It’s not all up to the common entrance teacher, all teachers need to be involved. God bless your teaching ministry.

Kendrick Sooknarine

Page 6 The Trinidad Presbyterian Page 7The Trinidad Presbyterian

Presiding elder Mr. David Nath greets a member at the newly re-dedicat-ed Bamboo Presbyterian Church.

Regional Youth Ministry- Gathering Phase lll

JULY – SEPTEMBER 2009 Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!

On 16th May 2009, a meeting was held at the St. Andrew’s Theological College in San Fernando with a number of representatives from our Pastoral

Regions. These representatives were selected based on their interest in Youth Work in our Church.

Following our ‘fellowship’ on 7th March 2009 at Mozart’s Place, we now want to plan a similar event in every Pastoral Region during the period July 2009 to mid September 2009. The approach includes a networking engagement among all the congregations within the Pastoral Regions. We hope to bring as many Presbyterians under the age of fifty (50) together. Note however that it should not be confined to under fifty (50). A third phase of our planning will take place on October 24th 2009 at our National Youth Convention.

A copy of the proposed date/Region for this Youth Gather-ing is attached for your convenience.

sgd The Moderator.

DATES SCHEDULED FOR YOUTH GATHERING IN PASTORAL REGIONS

NO. DATES PASTORAL REGIONS1. SATURDAY 11TH JULY 2009 Couva / Balmain Princes Town Tableland2. SATURDAY 18TH JULY 2009 Point/Fortin / Cedros Diamond Marabella / Bonne Aventure3. SATURDAY 15TH AUGUST 2009 San Juan/Santa Cruz/Woodbrook Chase VillageOropouche Nariva/Mayaro Oropouche4. SATURDAY 22ND AUGUST 2009 La Romaine/Debe Sangre Chiquito Guaico5. SATURDAY 29TH AUGUST 2009 Aramalaya Arima Barrackpore6. SATURDAY 5TH SEPTEMBER 2009 Claxton Bay Susamachar Penal/Siparia Tabaquite7 SATURDAY 12TH SEPTEMBER 2009 Curepe/St. joseph Chaguanas Riversdale

Graduation and Farewell at Inverness

Friday 5th June, 2009 will remain in the minds of many as it was of

two-fold significance for the community of Inverness Presbyterian School when the school held its Annual Graduation Exercises as well as Farewell Function for retired teacher Mr. Selwyn Fuentes.

The compact programme was indeed like no other at Inverness. The upstairs section of the school was transformed into a beautifully decorated mini-auditorium. There were many distinguished guests who included representatives from the Ministry of Education, the Rotary Club of Princes Town as well as representatives from the Church Board. Mr. Ren Ramjeawan did an excellent job in chairing the programme.

Mr. Vincent Graham (School Supervisor), paid tribute to and thanked Mr. Fuentes for his long and dedicated service to the Education System. Attorney at Law and President of the Rotary Club of Penal (Mr. Kevin Ratiram), retired Principal (Mr. Daniel Beharry) and President of the Rotary Club of Princes Town (Mr. Deoraj Deephan) also offered heart-warming tributes. School Principal (Mrs. Lystra Gooljar) also honoured Mr. Fuentes by outlining some major highlights from his influential career.

In his valedictory address, Mr. Fuentes expressed gratitude to all who made his career a memorable one, especially the staff at Inverness. Dr. Anna Mahase delivered the feature address. She reminded the pupils that life is a serious matter, not to be taken lightly. In attendance was the school’s choir ably led by Mrs. Stacy Badree with musical support and guidance by Mr. Rudolph Sitahal. Specially rendered songs included “My Tribute”, “Touch the Wind” and

“the Elizabethan Serenade”.

Among the highlights were also songs by retired Schools’ Supervisor Mrs. Roslyn Elias and parent Ms. Nadia Mitchell. There were two dance items portrayed by the Inverness Presbyterian School Indian Dance Group, one which much to the delight of the audience,

included participation by the School’s Librarian Mrs. Veera Ramodit and member of staff Mrs. Margaret Attong-Peters. The Valedictory Address was given by Ms. Jade Rajkumar. Graduates each received a plaque. Trophies as well as cash bursaries were awarded to deserving pupils and special prizes also given to pupils who excelled in extra-curricular areas.

The principal, staff and students of the Inverness Presbyterian School want to sincerely thank Mr. Fuentes for his invaluable contribution as a professional and friend and wish him all success as he embarks on a new journey…

Congratulations:Mr & Mrs Anil Bally

Trinity Pres. thanks Phill Tours

Congratulations to Mr. & Mrs. Anil Bally who were married in God’s sanctuary of the St. Andrew’s Chapel on May 30, 2009. May you have a life of

eternal love and happinessTrinity (Gasparillo) congregation expresses thanks

to all donors. The church especially thanks Phill Tours for their generous $40,000 contribution to

its church building fund. Cynthia Brooker

Trinity (Gasparillo) Church nears completion

“But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.” 2 Thess. 3:3

Page 8 The Trinidad Presbyterian Page 9The Trinidad Presbyterian

meetings are similar to pujas - remnants of our East Indian heritage and we still serve many typical East Indian favourite dishes at these functions.

So today we can truly say that our past has contributed to our present status as Presbyterians. We have really pro-moted and preserved our East Indian heritage to a large extent. We have appreciated the Canadian missionaries who worked among the indentured labourers, embraced the rich historical culture of our ancestors who arrived here on 30 May, 1845; and have also been assimilated into our Caribbean culture since then.

Today in our Presbyterian schools we continue to foster the growth of East Indian culture and accommodate Hindus, Muslims and other Christian denominations. At secondary schools such as St. Augustine Girls’ High School and Naparima Girls’ High School, there are elaborate Di-vali and Eid celebrations in which the entire school body participates.

Additionally students from Naparima College, Naparima Girls’ High School and Hillview College, regularly partici-pate and win prizes in the Secondary Schools’ Sanskritik Sangam Competition. Interestingly, there is an Indian Cul-tural Club in existence at Naparima College and Naparima Girls’ High School; and a few years ago in Naparima Col-lege there was the formation of a Hindu Students’ Council of Trinidad and Tobago. The existence of these clubs and the observances of non-Christian festivals demonstrate acceptance of all religions by the schools’ administration, yet these groups do not compromise the school’s Chris-tian character. Many Presbyterians have close friends and relatives who are Hindus and Muslims and Christians of other denominations and we have many inter-religious and inter-racial marriages where the children of these unions grow up in this multi-racial, multi-cultural and multi-religious society.

So, as Presbyterians we cannot be isolated and narrowalthough because of history, the Presbyterian Church is comprised of 95% Indo-Trinidadians we have to be fully aware that there are numerous persons of Chinese, Afri-can, European and Mixed descent who are now members of the Church and who attended or are attending our schools and generously and continuously assist in all areas. They are all part of our present and past history. The Canadian Mission started on the sugar cane estates among the indentured labourers because Rev. Morton saw the need to rescue them from their poverty and need at that time. But as Presbyterians today we cannot adopt a narrow view of superiority or inferiority. If we do this we will attack the very fabric of our society and the cohesion of our nation. We must be united in common goals even

though we are of different religions and ethnicities.

As Presbyterians because of our history, we are uniquely poised to blend the musical instruments of the East Indian tassa, dhantal and sitar with the steelpans, drums, pianos and violins to sing and celebrate in our churches. Indeed, this is already being done in some of our churches.

Despite signs of a shrinking membership, Presbyterians in Trinidad and Tobago should be proud of their glorious East Indian heritage, the Canadian mission and the rich historical blend in this land of our birth. We are part of Trinidad and Tobago, part of the East Indian family and part of the wider Indian diaspora which has maintained many aspects of its culture, customs and language.

I want you as Presbyterians to appreciate our rich cultural and historical legacy and the progress of the Presbyterian Church in Trinidad and Tobago. Indeed in the past there were incidents of missionaries being intolerant of Hindu-ism and Islam. There are also stories of missionaries with questionable motives. But in 2009, we cannot allow that past to tarnish the monumental work of the Canadian mission of the Presbyterian Church which has blossomed here for the past 141 years.

Let us celebrate today, our church, the Presbyterian Church of Trinidad and Tobago with its unique blend of East Indian, Canadian and Caribbean flavours.

Dr. Jerome Teelucksingh (History Professor, UWI)

On Sunday 17 May, 2009 a special service was held at the St. Charles Presbyterian Church in celebra-tion of Indian Arrival Day and the Presbyterian

Presence in Trinidad and Tobago. The Leader of Worship was Rev. Emmanuel Ramdeen, who was assisted with beautiful bhajan singing by the Calcutta Women’s Bhajan Group and the St. Charles Presbyterian Church Choir. There were many specially invited guests, from sister churches and abroad, many of whom were dressed in authentic East Indian splendour. In addition, the Newsday media was also present and featured this momentous event on 18 May, 2009 in the print media; Win TV was also present for filming which was aired on 24 May and 31 May, 2009 at 5:00 pm. History professor of the Univer-sity of the West Indies (UWI), St. Augustine campus, Dr. Jerome Teelucksingh (son of Rev. Daniel Teelucksingh), did a breathtaking feature address, excerpts of which are included below…

The church played a pivotal role in the education of the East Indian indentured workers in the early days and has maintained many traditions of our Indian heritage. Hindi was used as the language for communication. The use of language was an obvious indicator of our Indian heritage. In the 1880s and 1890s the catechists and Bible women who preached and worked among the indentured labourers used Hindi, Urdu and Bhojpuri. Local minis-ters such as Rev. C.D. Lalla in the early 20th century who served here in Central conducted services in Hindi, sang bhajans and gave Hindi lessons. Even the white Canadian missionaries like Revs. Kemp, Coffin and Walls were all versed in Hindi and assisted in its instruction at schools and churches. These Canadians displayed competent literary skills and profound knowledge of the Mahabharat and Ramayana.

The use of Hindi was not limited to church services but at our church’s educational institutions for example, at Naparima Teachers’ Training College, it was a compulsory subject in teacher education. During the 1920s and 1930s, this language was also being taught at the Theologi-cal College, Naparima College and Naparima Girls’ High School. Additionally, the early editions of our newsletter - the Trinidad Presbyterian - was published in Hindi.

In our primary schools which were known as Canadian Mission Indian or “CMI” and later Canadian Mission or “CM” schools, Hindi was part of the curriculum. Some of you would know that Rev. John Morton even es-tablished a Hindi press at his manse in Tunapuna, where he published prayer and hymn books. Also, religious literature from India was imported into Trinidad by the missionaries.

Some of this language use has survived today as evident in the names of a few of our churches Anugrah Presby-terian church in Calcutta, the Morning Star Presbyterian church in Fyzabad is known as Bhor Ka tara and San Fran-cique church is Jewan ka Sota; Susamachar means Good News or Glad Tidings. In many of our prayer meetings and church services we sing bhajans (Hindi hymns) and a few churches have their own bhajan groups.

Yes, we have definitely maintained the East Indian culture in out services. Our churches have had a unique blend of East and West maintaining our Canadian heritage plus East Indian tradition merged with the Caribbean culture we have acquired here.

Many of our women adorn themselves with traditional gold jewelry and East Indian wear. Even our home prayer

Arrival Celebrations - St. Charles Pres., Chaguanas

“so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:17-19

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Simone Singh recently graduated Cum Laude from the Caribbean Nazarene College in Santa Cruz with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology and Coun-

selling and Christian Education. She is the daughter of Arjune and Sandra Singh and the sister of Samantha. Si-mone attends the Mayo Presbyterian Church and is pres-ently the Regional Youth Coordinator of the Marabella/Bonne-Aventure Pastoral Region, where she also occupies the pulpit from time to time. Her current aspiration is to pursue a Masters of Arts in Counselling and to become a Guidance Counsellor in the near future.

Being an active church member has encouraged Simone to pursue this course of studies and career. Her devotion to God and expansion of His Kingdom has promoted her love of people and desire to help people in all stages of their development, especially with respect to their spiritual journeys. The church has augmented the course of her life through its enriching Youth camps and retreats, as well as the fellowship that permeates and surpasses

beyond regional and age boundaries. She is dedicated to advancing the Kingdom of God through her involvement in Youth and Children Ministries.

Sandra Singh

Congratulations: Simone Singh

Congratulations:Mr. Neil Mohammed

Neil Mohammed, a member of the Aramalaya Presbyterian Church was called to the Bar on Thursday June 18, 2009. He is attached to Trinity

Chambers, POS; as well as practising from his home office at PFSSL Building, #19 Bharath Street, Pasea, Tunapuna. He has served on the Local Board at Aramalaya for five (5) years.

Neil is also a Chartered Accountant for the last 14 years with his own financial firm, Platinum Financial Systems & Services Limited. Congrats Neil.

Online Presbyterians: www.presbyterianchurchtt.org

As a food Fish has much to recommend it. Perhaps today the greatest attraction is the fact that it is not fattening. It is a body building food and is very

easy to digest. Fish cooks quickly and is prepared in so many fascinating ways. It is a great substitute for meat since it is rich in animal protein which we need for growth and repair.

Here are a few recipes for you to try:

Shrimp and potato salad. 1lb potatoes (boiled). 1lb shrimp (boiled in salted water)2 hard boiled eggs. Mayonnaise to taste.1 medium carrot (boiled) Chopped onion, pimento, celery.

Cut potatoes and carrots in cubes.Mash egg yolk and chop egg white.Shell cooked shrimp and cut in pieces.Chop onions, pimento and celery (seasonings)In a bowl mix seasonings with mayonnaise.Add all other ingredients and mix well. Chill in refrigerator.

Chinese style Fried Shark Cut shark into bite size pieces wash with lime and season

with salt, pepper, ginger, garlic and soy sauce. Leave in a refrigerator to marinate ½ an hour. Season flour with black pepper and vet sin (optional). Roll shark in flour and let stand for 15 min. before frying. Fry till golden brown.

Sauce for fish Mince together ginger, shadow bene, roasted green hot pepper, lime juice, ketchup, salt and sugar to taste. Blend thoroughly and refrigerate.(Can be served with fish or meat)

Baked fish loaf 1lb. flaked cooked fish.2 eggs.½ cup bread crumbs.½ cup milk.Chopped sweet pepper and pimento.½ cup grated cheese.Salt and pepper to taste.Maggi season up. Beat egg, milk and seasoning. Add bread crumbs and rest for five min. stir in all other ingredients into fish. Pour in a greased Pyrex dish bake at 325 degrees for 40 min.

Pricilla Jute

Good Cooking - Get Hooked on Fish

Page 12 The Trinidad Presbyterian Page 13The Trinidad Presbyterian

Think of the Canadian women missionaries who taught us about God the father, God the son and God the Holy Spirit. There is Miss Claudia Grant who continued her work in the Happy Workers. The piano in the grant hall was given by her to the happy workers and the organ chimes was given to the church.

The zeal of these missionaries was passed on to our grandmothers and to our mothers. From generation to generation they were all able to inspire leadership ac-tions and aspirations. My maternal grandmother, Annie Ram, served the happy workers for many years. She was able to bring in my own mother into this group at the age of 21 to work side by side with her. My mother con-tinues to be an active member to this day encouraging others to serve.

Leadership Crisis To inspire leadership actions and aspirations in others re-quires a way of life based on Christian principles and values that develops trust, confidence and credibility. However, unfortunately we seem to be in a leadership crisis at this present time. You would only follow a leader if you can trust him/ her and have the utmost confidence. Because we lack trust in the leaders of our country, such as, government, the corporate workplace and even our schools, people are confused and do not know what to do.

Amazingly credibility is a seriously lacking and profes-sionals and holders of high public office do not care. In the past your word was your reputation. Today leaders are the Lost Generation

What is causing this leadership crisis globally? Some are of the view that this is a generation that has lost its way. A generation of young, bright, talented and highly quali-fied professionals but yet a generation of individuals unable to lead. These highly qualified individuals with high IQs have worked to the detriment of their organiza-tions causing a breakdown in trust and customer loyalty. I was amazed sitting in a meeting with a top CEO and the question was asked, aren’t you concerned that someone will realize that what you are saying is untrue and that you could loose all credibility? And even more amazing was the response, “it doesn’t matter we will cross that bridge when we come to it.”

The lust for money and greed has caused the collapse of major conglomerates. This has caused the global melt-down occurring currently and some gurus continue to warn of a depression that could be possibly worse than the great depression of the 1930s

What is the root cause of this? Some state that it is the breakdown in the social fabric of our communities and families. The mothers within our communities charged with the social responsibility for inculcating into the families and by extension the community, the bedrock of principles and values are no more. The village that raised the child disappeared.

Many of these potential mothers became 24 hour career professionals. Not for one moment am I suggesting that women should not engage in professional careers and aspire to highest positions of leadership With great expectation, and rightly so, the world wel-comed equal opportunity for women to aspire to the highest positions of leadership in the corporate work-place, in government and politics. However, they did not take with them their spiritual gifts for the teaching and inculcation of Christian principles and values. In fact a golden opportunity was lost for them to widen their sphere of influence though their words, deeds and ac-tions steeped in principles and values.

This nation witnessed many professional and Christian women enter into high public office. Citizens of this country looked forward to the first female leader with the responsibility for the management of the economic and financial affairs of this nation only to be disappoint-ed by the controversy that surrounded the holder of this high public office. Compare this with the founder of the Women’s Christian Alliance of Philadelphia founded in 1919. The founder, Dr. Melissa Copin, was one of the only twenty (20) female physicians of African decent. She utilized her profession to extend her work in the teach-ing of Christian Principles and values to provide support for the homeless children, families and communities. She used her elevation into professional career to widen her sphere influence as the matriarch of her the community. The world is looking for and to the traditional matriarch. If the happy Workers society experienced a dwindling membership especially among the young over the years, this is expected to change. There will be renewed inter-ests in organizations such as the Happy Workers.

To solve the problems emanating out of this crisis, there are major initiatives by countries (in particular the G-20 countries) around the world to restore confidence, trust and credibility through the implementation of new governance systems based on a core value system. Make no mistake the crisis of today was a result of the lost of public confidence and trust due to a lack of integrity. This Core value system is taking the form of either Standards or Codes for Corporate Governance Systems.

Christian Principles and Values Renewed

This is an organization that I hold in high esteem, given its rich cultural heritage and

auspicious historical beginnings. I can recall having to serve tea at the Happy Workers bazaar held on the first Saturday of November; the clothes for the poor and the cake sales. I would never forget during the mid seventies when we distrib-uted food items to Caroni workers on strike. Our journey through rural Trinidad was an educational experience.

My siblings, relatives, friends and I will all recall the days when we re-vered and had the utmost respect for the members of the Happy Workers. I would recall having to be extremely quiet in the car as we dropped Mrs. Matadeen to her home on Carib street after the usual Sunday morning service or after a happy workers weekly meeting. Only adults spoke. This is indeed a group that has served this church, its membership and the wider San Fernando community well. To be here today celebrating 122 years bears testi-mony to this fact.

Historical BeginningsThe Happy Workers Society was founded by the late Mrs. K. J Grant, the wife of Rev. Kenneth J. Grant. The story is told that on a Friday afternoon the bell would ring at 1pm to signal the gathering of the ladies for the sole purpose of sewing clothes for the children attending Sunday School. On this auspicious Friday afternoon Rev Grant walked in and was taken aback with these ladies in all their merriment as they were happily chatting and laughing while they were performing this task. As a result he named this group the Happy Workers.

Christian Women’s NGOs It is important to note that he Happy workers Society is no different from any of the many Christian women’s NGOs that have been established and continue to be established almost on a daily basis throughout the world. If we follow the progress of these organizations most if not all started their work like the Happy Workers with a focus on the support for children. The next step is to

expand and extend their work into support for families and the building of strong families which eventually moves a step up into building strong com-munities.

Christian women are blessed with the spiritual gifts of teach-ing and inculcating Christian principles and values. They start this job in their homes and are responsible for build-ing strong Christian families. They prepare, shape and mould future leaders. Just look at Mary, mother of Jesus, called blessed among women; Mary Magdalene, was the first disci-ple commissioned to tell about Jesus’ resurrection.

Because of this spiritual gift to teach, their teachings expand

into the wider community eventually becoming the ma-triarchs, the mothers of this community. A Village to Raise a Child - These mothers are responsible for maintaining the social fabric of our communities and brought to life the ancient African proverb It Takes A Village To Raise A Child. The sage who first offered this proverb would be bewildered and surprised at what con-tributes the modern village. Villages are frantic and frag-mented. In this city, the Happy Workers, helps its mem-bers to cope and advance in the face of powerful, social, political and economic forces and the many changes.Service - How does a group help? What was clearly ex-hibited on that day and every day of the 122 years that followed was that desire to serve all of God’s children with all their love.

LeadershipZeal and love to serve others is what makes great lead-ers. Didn’t our master the great leader teach and show us how to serve. Throughout the Bible there are several examples of Jesus serving others. Today many in high office are of the erroneous view that leadership means being served by others and not to serve. But that zeal and love to serve must come from within. This is why leadership starts from within.

Happy Workers celebrate 122 years

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Across4. Zachariah's 'barren' wife9. She cooked,washed,cleaned ad made tents11. Jacob laboured for Laban in order to marry her12. Tabitha's name in greek, which means 'deer'13. Mother to Jacob and Esau14. Seller of purple 15. She gave birth in a stable 16. Abraham's servant and mother of his child

Down1. From Africa, she sought Solomon2. Her husband was King Xerxes 3. The sister of Moses5. Her daughter requested the head of John theBaptist 6. She has four chapters in the bible 7. Daughter of King David8. Daughter of Jethro 10. She carried 10,00 soldiers to Mount Tabor

What is at the heart of these new standards, codes, sys-tems and procedures? The most important value is that of trust. It lies at the heart of any successful and endur-ing personal or business relationship. Every government, organization and corporation is and will continue to do anything and everything possible to establish and maintain the trust of all of its stakeholders. Branding and imaging is based on building the trustworthy organiza-tion. Each individual can credit or debit the institution’s Trust Account (Stephen Covey).

Today employers ask for qualities as commitment, ser-vice to others courage, justice, honesty, care, forgiveness and prayerfulness.

What is even more interesting is that this also mirrors the selection criteria for universities and scholarship grants. Students are now required to build a personal profile demonstrating leadership qualities through volunteer activities in school, church and the community. Isn’t this the teachings of our Sunday School? Isn’t this the teach-ings by our Christian mothers in Christian homes? Isn’t this the teachings of the matriarchs such as members of the Happy Workers in communities? These teachings of Christian principles and values built the balanced indi-vidual so urgently needed to solve today’s crisis.

The Happy Workers Society needs to widen its influence in the community through the church. Your role will cen-tre around the re-building of family and community life on a solid foundation of Christian principles and values. Your events including fund raising activities must include

an emphasis on building social cohesion and network support so urgently needed to weather this storm. Most significant is your renewed role to ensure that our Chris-tian women and young women like those at Naparima Girls re-identify with their spiritual gifts for the teaching of Christian principles and values every day.

We cannot legislate and regulate trust and confidenceWe cannot legislate and regulate principles and values.No amount of legislation and regulation can solve what should have been learnt during early childhood years in Sunday school, in Christian homes and by extension the community through the church.

Out of every crisis comes an opportunity. Seize the op-portunity of the day to recreate the village that once upon a time raised the child in this city of San Fernando and by extension this blessed nation. Let us believe in the innate power and drive of individuals to shape their own destinies and the destiny of their communities. Let us provide the tools for the young and innovative talent within our reach to make their own change.

May God continue to shower his blessings upon this group. This morning we pray that God will continue to guide your work and to meet the evolving challenges of today. We pray that God will give you strength and cour-age to stand by the right convictions and will continue you to bless you with the longevity to celebrate your work at another 122 anniversary

Carolyn Seepersad-Bachan

Iere Home Nursery School is an out reach of the Presby-terian Church Women, now called board of Women of the Presbyterian Church.

This Nursery School was initiated in 1986, after the Iere Home as a residential school closed in 1985.

This Nursery school caters for the needs of children three to five years old. The school has been under the Principal ship of Mrs. Bernice Mahabir, who retires at the end of the school term in July 2009.

The Board wishes to express its sincerest thanks to Mrs. Mahabir for her seventeen years of undaunted service to the school. Under her leadership the school has seen past students excel in life. This was because of the solid foun-dation that was laid at this school.

The Board wishes to welcome the new Principal Mrs.

Priscilla Jute who will take up duty from August 2009. Mrs. Jute comes to this job with a wealth of experience in administration and Early Childhood Care and Education.

The school is located on Tramline Street. It is a lovely safe place for educating the little ones. The school will be refurbished and given a face lift. The environment is ideal for a Nursery school, at present the school is enrolling students for the new term in September 2009. Parents are free to visit the new school. Registering of new students is now taking place. Please register early to ensure your child’s place.

Our programme followed is the one set out by the min-istry of education for Pre-school. With best wishes to our only Nursery school. Board of Women, PCTTPriscilla Jute

Board of Women - Farewell and Welcome to Iere

TP Crossword: Women of the Bible

Page 16 The Trinidad Presbyterian Page 17The Trinidad Presbyterian

“A man who walked with Kings but never lost the com-mon touch.” This was the Late Harold Emmanuel Marjadsingh (1917-2007). A legend, in his own right. A Patriarch.

Born on 3rd August, 1917 to Presbyterian parents, in Ecclesville. He attended

Bonne Aventure and Bien Venue C.M. Schools. He received his secondary education at Naparima College, and went on to Napa-rima Training College. He was a Literary and Latin Scholar. Many of his speeches and writings were ‘par excellence’. He began teach-ing in 1938 as a pupil teacher and moved up to Assistant Teacher, Teacher I and became Acting Principal at Vistabella in 1965. He taught at thirteen Presbyterian Primary schools, of which he was Principal of Four – Vistabella (Acting), Els-wick Pres, Esperanza Pres. and Union Presbyterian School, where he ended his teaching career in July 1977. As a Principal, many of his past pupils would remember his schools excelling in the Common Entrance Examinations, and in sports and athletics. He also enjoyed organizing fund raisers, at which he would always have Mr. John Agi-tation and the Guinness Cavaliers.

Mr. Marjadsingh served not only in the field of education but he also served the Presbyterian Church for well over sixty years. He was a member of the Presbyterian Primary Schools Board of Educationfor seven years, Secretary of the Judicial Committee, Chairman of the Theological Col-lege Board, Member of the NGHS Ad. Com.. He was also a member of Presbytery and Synod, up to his demise. He was Chairman of the Local Board of Mizpah Presbyterian Church for over twenty-five years. He was instrumental in the building of the new church and also the adjoining Church Hall. He was Manager of the Union Pres. School for ten years. . In his autobiography, he said – “I am the sum of many influences: Rev. Dr. V.B. Walls, Rev H.F. Swann, Drs Mac Donald Kemp, J.A. Scrimgeor, Dr. Steven Moosai-Maharaj, R. Ivan Bissessar, My Father, Jesus Christ, Gandhi, the Apostle Paul…”

Being a Naps Old Boy, some of his contemporaries included the late President, Noor Hassanali, Mr. Wilfred Ramkerrysingh, Mr. Hollick Harnarine, and many more. He was Secretary of the Naps Ad Com. for many years. He played Volley Ball, Football and Cricket and organized many teams in his time. Mr. Marjadsingh was also one of the organizers of the North South Presbyterian Competi-

tion for the Earl Kalloo Trophy.

Following his retirement, he acted as Proof-reader for the Target and Newsday newspapers – in San Fernando and voluntarily served in a similar capacity, the Trinidad Presbyterian (T.P.) for a period of four years

In his community at Union Vil-lage, Claxton Bay, he was called ‘Teach’. He assisted many young people in obtaining jobs, through his recommendations and many of our teachers (some now re-tired), would attest to his efforts in helping them in their teaching career, not only in the Presbyte-rian Schools, but also in R.C. and

S.D.M.S schools.

The entire village, especially the older folk, know that Mr. Marjadsingh was involved in the Village Council. He mo-bilized the villagers to raise funds, and with self help, built the first community centre, which was formally opened by the Late Dr. Eric Williams in 1968. He also arranged for roads, bridges, lights and a pavilion. He arranged Referees Courses and many football, cricket and volley ball compe-titions in the village.

From time to time he organized a temporary clinic at the Union School through the Lions Club, in order that people of the community would receive free medical attention and medication. Many incapacitated villagers received wheel chairs which he sourced from FEEL. Up to the time of his death he visited the sick and shut-in, to pray for them and with them. He also served in a legal capacity as a Commissioner of Affidavits for over twenty years, and served in many Boards and Committees, too numerous to mention.

These are just some of the many contributions Mr. Har-old Marjadsingh had made to society over the past sixty years.

These words were also taken from his autobiography:

“My Philosophy is – Aim for the best and Highest things…, and of thyself, an humble thought retain.” Most of us would agree that he was an ‘unsung hero’ and one who was truly deserving of a National Award, but undoubtedly, now reaping heavenly rewards.

May his soul rest in peace.

An unsung hero – Harold Emmanuel Marjadsingh (1917-2007)“…Sing unto God, ye king-doms of the earth; O sing praises unto the Lord…” – Psalms 68:32

In 2009, we wish to com-memorate 141 years of the presence of the Presbyterian

Church in Trinidad and Tobago juxtaposed with the celebra-tion of Indian Arrival Day of 164 years. It can be argued that many remnants of our heritage are not being passed on to the very young ones. It is the intention of this feature on the “Cultural Passages: Celebrating Christ Through the Lens of Our Heritage,” to attempt to aquaint our members with Presbyterian church bhajans (Hindu religious songs), prayers and other items in our forefathers’ languages which we can argue are not prac-ticed sufficiently in all the churches. Every month a differ-ent bhajan (or prayer for instance) will be featured with translation and music-sheet (when possible) on a special “cut-out” sheet that you may compile into a personal songbook or collection. It is hoped that you learn the meaning of these religious songs and prayers and have fun using them and teaching others. Look out for other educational features in this section as well! This month we start off very simple…

# 1 The Doxology (“Litany of Praise”)

HINDI Pitā, pūtra, dharam-atma,Tīn meṉ ek aur ek meṉ tīn,Tāran karne ka mahatma,Pragat hoga ho amīn.

Amin.

Adapted from: Bhajans of the Early Presbyteran Church, Archibald S. Chauharjasingh (1991)

Mrs. Salima Geetan-Sambrano

Cultural Passages: Celebrating Christ through the lens of our Heritage

Canaan Presby-terian Church, congratulates Dr.

Tricyamarie K. Boodoo on the completion of her degree, in the Bachelor in Medicine and Bachelor in Sur-gery (MB.BS), at the University of the West Indies, Mona campus, Jamaica, in four years and nine months.

Prior to this she at-tended San Fernando T.M.L Primary School and San Fernando Government Secondary School.

She is the daughter of Chris and Rosemarie Boodoo, who are de-vote members of this church. The church wishes her Gods richest blessings in her chosen career and may she serve her community and coun-try in a humane and caring manner.

Best Wishes and Good Luck!

Congratulations - Dr. Tricyamarie K. Boodoo

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July1st Job Ch. 20 – 21 Acts Ch. 10 vs. 24 - 482nd Job Ch. 22 – 24 Acts Ch. 113rd Job Ch. 25 – 27 Acts Ch. 124th Job Ch. 28 – 29 Acts Ch. 13 vs. 1 – 255th Job Ch. 30 – 31 Acts Ch. 13 vs. 26 – 526th Job Ch. 32 – 33 Acts Ch. 147th Job Ch. 34 – 35 Acts Ch. 15 vs. 1 – 218th Job Ch. 36 – 37 Acts Ch. 15 vs. 22 – 419th Job Ch. 38 – 40 Acts Ch. 16 vs. 1 – 2110th Job Ch. 41 – 42 Acts Ch. 16 vs. 22 – 4011th Psalms 1 – 3 Acts Ch. 17 vs. 1 – 15

12th Psalms 4 – 6 Acts Ch. 17 vs. 16 – 3413th Psalms 7 – 9 Acts Ch. 1814th Psalms 10 – 12 Acts Ch. 19 vs. 1 – 2015th Psalms 13 – 15 Acts Ch. 19 vs. 21 – 4116th Psalms 16 – 17 Acts Ch. 20 vs. 1 – 1617th Psalms 18 – 19 Acts Ch. 20 vs. 17 – 3818th Psalms 20 – 22 Acts Ch. 21 vs. 1 – 1719th Psalms 23 – 25 Acts Ch. 21 vs. 18 – 4020th Psalms 26 – 28 Acts Ch. 2221st Psalms 29 – 30 Acts Ch. 23 vs. 1 – 1522nd Psalms 31 – 32 Acts Ch. 23 vs. 16 – 3523rd Psalms 33 – 34 Acts Ch. 24

24th Psalms 35 – 36 Acts Ch. 2525th Psalms 37 – 39 Acts Ch. 2626th Psalms 40 – 42 Acts Ch. 27 vs. 1 – 2627th Psalms 43 – 45 Acts Ch. 27 vs. 27 – 4428th Psalms 46 – 48 Acts Ch. 2829th Psalms 49 – 50 Romans Ch. 130th Psalms 51 – 53 Romans Ch. 231st Psalms 54 – 56 Romans Ch. 3

August1st Psalms 57 – 59 Romans Ch. 42nd Psalms 60 – 62 Romans Ch. 5

Read the Bible in one year: July-August ’09 Guide

TP Comics: God must have a sense of humour...

TP Colouring Page: Jesus walks on the water

e-TP (1.5mb): http://www.zorce.com/trinidad-presbyterian/TP-JUL-09.pdf

“The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O LORD, endures forever— do not abandon the works of your hands.” Psalm 138:8

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DAY 1 SUB THEME : LOVE TEXT : JOHN 15: 12-17 MEM. VERSE JN 15:12 Walking in peace requires loving God’s people.DAY 2 SUB THEME : JOY TEXT : LUKE 7: 11-17 MEM.VERSE : PSALM 16:11When the weeping crowd met Jesus,great joy and jubila-tion came their way. Walking in the way of peace always brings joy.DAY 3 SUB THEME : KINDNESS TEXT : MARK 7:24-30 MEM.VERSE :JOEL 2:13

Regardless of people’s plight, Jesus always demon-strated kindness towards all. Walking in peace requires kindness on our part. DAY 4 SUB THEME: FAITHFULNESS TEXT : LUKE 12: 41-48 MEM. VERSE We must be faithful to God in our walk in the way if peace.DAY 5 SUB THEME : FORGIVENESS TEXT : LUKE 7: 36-43 MEM. VERSE MATT. 6:12 Forgiveness is essential if we wish to walk in the way of peace.

VBS 2009 - Theme : Walking in the Way of Peace Aluminium Smelter: The wrong Fit for T&T

Alutrint aluminum smelter is simply the worst eco-nomic fit for the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. It is an economic bust. It is destructive to human

health. It is an ecological nightmare. It prevents the evolution of a suitable and lucrative economic fit for the Republic.

First, let us look at the basic costs of Alutrint. These are costs to the taxpayer, the ultimate stakeholders of this project, since Alutrint is now 100% owned by the Repub-lic. We would pay for the aluminum port. We would pay for the power plant. We would pay the billions for the Chinese loan for the proposed smelter. We would pay billions on the gas subsidy; this project would consume huge amounts of non-stranded increasingly scarce gas; the opportunity cost of this gas, the international price minus the rate to Alutrint, would run into tens of billions over the period of forty to fifty years.

We would have to put on the public’s cost accounting sheet the millions of dollars for community relocations; in addition to the communities already located, more and more residents are demanding relocation. We would have to include the millions of dollars in infrastructural costs: the burial and compaction of three water- producing dams; the running of gas lines; the clearance of 1000 acres of forest; the diversion of the Vessigny River; the capping of dozens of oilwells; the removal and then replacement of a buffer zone etc.

We would have to include also the cost which would make Alutrint permanently non-competitive. Remember, this company is state-owned. It has not managed even a snow-cone cart; it is a new company. It is not, like all major players in this globally strategic industry, vertically inte-grated: we do not own bauxite mines, alumina processing facilities, other raw material chemical and minerals which go into processing aluminum. We would have to pay in-ternational market prices for all these inputs. Additionally, we would have to pay the hundreds of millions, perhaps billions, of dollars in the storage, transportation, and treat-ment (outside of the Caribbean), of the highly toxic Spent Pot Lining. This is a recurrent cost over the period of forty to fifty years. We would have to pay the millions of dollars in decommissioning the plant.

Then there are the double-digit millions of dollars: the cost of scores of consultancies, legal bills for three silks and more; the costs of technical services for example soil testing and engineering; administrative cost: to National Energy Corporation and National Gas Company, the Min-istry of Energy, the Environmental Management Author-ity; payment of salaries of top management of Alutrint over the last five years; the cost of managing monitoring and mitigation measures: twenty-odd EMA personnel over the course of forty to fifty years. Propaganda costs

are also significant: the bussing and refreshing of sup-porters, television features, full-page newspaper ads, a newsletter, sponsorship of local teams and events, the hosting of two national symposia to justify the project.

What figure must we cost ourselves, additionally, for the degradation of lungs, pancreas, other vital organs of the children, women and men of the Republic? What must we put into our accounting sheet for the destruction of 1000 acres of seaside forest, with its farms, beekeeping industry, forest occupations like hunting and fishing? What figure must we cost ourselves for the destruction of three water-producing dams? For the destruction of natural springs, the degradation of the Vessigny River and Beach, for the long-term damage to soil, water, the air? What figure must the cost accounting show for the mil-lions of tons of carbon that would be emitted? Each year the power plant would emit 770,000 tons and the smelter 250,000 tons of carbon into the atmosphere.

To top it all, SURAL, the 40% partner of Alutrint has pulled out of the project. SURAL was to contribute downstream-ing and international marketing expertise. Second, the ‘NEC/ NGC policy’ of Chinese Management Local Labour as promised by NEC three years ago has been busted: the Chinese, as part of its loan stratagem has demanded 1500 jobs for Chinese for the smelter construction; 400 would go to locals.

The future is clear. Alutrint, even if it doubles the size of its 125,000 ton per year facility, cannot viably compete on the global market for aluminum. What this company will attempt to do is to hide the real costs of the project. Then they will pass on marketing and the local alumi-num economy to Chinese ownership. This means that we pay the costs, the financial, the health, the social and the ecological, and the Chinese reap the benefits. Pure and simple. In real terms we would own the cost of Alutrint only; the Chinese would own the profits.

Meanwhile, a better economic fit - for example, a pho-tovoltaic solar cell industry for Trinidad and Tobago, on the very spot where they propose to put Alutrint, an industry capable of generating 5000 jobs, with positive health, economic and ecological impacts - lies dormant, un-evolved. A proposal for this industry has been lying on Professor Ken Julien’s shelf since November 2006.

Wayne Kublalsingh

“If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” Luke 11:13

Greetings were brought by the Clerk of Session of the Re-gion, Mrs. Radica Ragoobar, who said that God had finally answered their prayers as they had lived a life in the wilder-ness as far as Pastoral Care was concerned. She observed that Rev. Rampersad was always prepared and focused. Mr. Johan Dharoo brought greetings on behalf of the Northern Presbytery. He, too, noted the Region’s long wait for an Appointed Minister. He extended sincere congratulations to Rev. Rampersad on his induction and asked God’s richest blessings and guidance as he “shepherds his flock”. Rev. Ralph Umraw brought greetings on behalf of South East-ern Presbytery. He remembered advising Rev. Rampersad to “drop his net and follow Jesus” since he recognized that Rev. Rampersad had a fertile mind. Rev Umraw was fondly greeted by the congregation; one sensed the love that still existed between members in the region and Rev. Umraw. Rev. Umraw reminded those present that his induction in that region 18 years ago was the last one that took place there. Mrs. Nola Ramlogan brought greetings on behalf of Synod. She acknowledged Synod’s appreciation to Rev. Rampersad for accepting to serve in that Region as well as

the Region’s willingness to partner with Rev. Rampersad. Appreciation was also extended to Lay Pastor Ivan Paul for the work he continues to do in the Region.

Rev. Rampersad in his response thanked God for the grace, mercy, guidance and strength given to him as he answered His calling and for God leading him to that part of the vine-yard. He promised to continue to work towards removing barriers that keep God’s people apart. He continued that as the first disciples received the Holy Spirit, may we who have been baptized build upon the foundation of Jesus here on earth as it is in heaven. In spite of the disciples chal-lenges they did not give up so too our belief must become part of our behaviour and be represented in the life we live. He thanked his family for their support over the years.

After the presentations of gifts, the congregation shared in refreshment as they exchanged greetings and information with one another.

Anna Mahabir

Induction- Rev. Anthony Rampersad- Point Fortin (continued from page 24)

Primary Schools Board offers congratulations

The Presbyterian Primary Schools Board of Education congratulates the staff and students of our seventy-two (72)schools on the excellent results achieved in

this year’s SEA Examinations. A preliminary sampling of the results released by the Ministry of Education on Thursday 25th June revealed that our schools did very well.

When we consider that in several of the schools condi-tions were less than ideal the results were outstanding. Many of our schools are faced with deteriorating physical

facilities, some have staffing needs and others await new buildings promised many months ago.

We thank the Principals and teachers who have dedi-cated their lives to the education of the nation’s children and worked tirelessly in trying conditions; the parents who have supported their children and kept faith in the schools and wish the students every success as they graduate to another level of study. Carlos Lackhan

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In a simple yet moving ceremony on the after-noon of Sunday 24th May

2009, Reverend Anthony Rampersad was inducted as the Minister of the Point For-tin/ Cedros Pastoral Region. The church at Point Fortin was adorned with beautiful flowers and shrubs of every variety and colour. This was matched by the lusty singing of the choir and the congre-gation. The Assistant General Secretary of the Presbyte-rian Church in Trinidad and Tobago, Mrs. Nola Ramlogan, brought greetings from the Presbyterian Church. She welcomed all to the induction service which she stated was significant in the life of the Presbyterians in that region. She noted that Rev. Rampersad was an outstanding theo-logical student. The service was to formalize his presence in the region where he served his internship. The crowded church showed the people’s confidence and support in him as their minister. Mr. Dindial Ramlogan welcomed all on behalf of the South Central Presbytery.

Much thought and effort went into the Order of Service which was done by the South Central Presbytery, including the Responsive Reading by Ms. Aasha Mahabir; Scripture readings by Mr. Roy Umraw and Mrs. Margaret Bissessar; Pastoral Prayer by Presiding Elder, Mrs. Indra Debysingh; while Mr. Winston Mathura dedicated the offering.

The joint Point Fortin/ Cedros Regional choir was lead by Mr. Ivan Paul and accompanied on the organ by Mr. Robert Seerattan. There was no age barrier in this choir which spanned from pre-teens to adults. The members who were commended for their commitment and sacrifice by Rev. Rampersad lead the singing. They thrilled those in attendance with their adaptation of a popular Indian tune to which they sang the Psalm “I shall not be moved...” The choir made use of drums and iron to give the traditional East Indian flavour.

Rev Stephen Harripersad proclaimed the word. He, too, commented on the significance of the occasion in the life of the Church and the Region. He noted that Rev Ramp-ersad had ignited the zeal and excitement of the people in that region, qualities he noted which are needed in the wider church. He referred to Jesus’ appearance to the disciples in the Upper Room as promised. The description of the wind and fire were ancient signs of God’s power, the disciples acknowledged the Holy Spirit as they were commissioned to spread God’s word. They recognized the changes that took place in their lives – the fearful became fearless, Simon Peter refused to be intimidated, he realized

they should obey God rather than man and disciples who were silent began to shout. Rev Harripersad noted that many persons in today’s world had lost their ‘joy for Jesus’ and, thus, there needs to be a rebirth of the Holy Spirit in our lives so we can continue the work began by Christ, and acknowledge that there is a oneness in Jesus Christ of all those who believe. Rev. Harripersad provoked thought when he

asked congregation members to question themselves as to the role of the Church in consideration of God’s will for everyone. The Spirit of God created a common language of Faith. The Spirit of God helps us to be in one accord, to realize what we have in common. The Spirit of God unifies people into one body of believers. He urged the congrega-tion to listen to what God is saying to each one.

Rev. Rampersad was presented for induction by Mrs. Hazoon Baksh Dass, Secretary, South Central Presbytery and was inducted by Rev. Harripersad. He noted that Rev. Rampersad needed the support, encouragement and prayers of the three Presbyteries and the Pastoral Region. He urged Re.v Rampersad to serve God through service to man, the daily reading of God’s word and fervent prayer.

Induction- Rev. Anthony Rampersad- Point Fortin

Front view of the new Bamboo Presbyterian (Latchu Memorial) Church which was re-dedicated by the Moderator and the Northern Presbytery on the 14th of June, 2009.

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