'Music an Instrument for Change'

Theme: 'Music an Instrument for Change'
We had an extraordinary morning at the IWF conference in Montego Bay. Impressive Opening Address by PM Portia Simpson Miller and as you can see from the photos - amazing panellists!
Sent from my BlackBerry® device from Digicel

From Obama’s mouth to our ears

Jean Lowrie-Chin | Jamaica Observer column | 27 May 2013

Last Thursday, President Barack Obama gave a historic speech, as he sought to explain the evolution of the war on terror since 9/11.  As one commentator noted, it was a speech which validated his Nobel Peace Prize awarded in 2009.  It was the kind of speech that every leader could learn from – a thoughtful, focused presentation explaining why the status quo could be questioned and changed.  The President’s calm response to a passionate – and somewhat annoying – heckler, was also a study in tolerance.

Mr Obama observed that the threat of Al Qaeda had been minimized, although his administration must still guard against various groups and radicalized individuals who had carried out recent acts of terror.   As such, he was working to end the current war in Afghanistan, and to close the prison in Guantanamo Bay.

“So America is at a crossroads,” said Mr Obama. “We must define the nature and scope of this struggle, or else it will define us, mindful of James Madison’s warning that ‘No nation could preserve its freedom in the midst of continual warfare.’ Neither I, nor any President, can promise the total defeat of terror. We will never erase the evil that lies in the hearts of some human beings, nor stamp out every danger to our open society.”

Our leaders here in Jamaica should think deeply on the words that followed: “What we can do – what we must do – is dismantle networks that pose a direct danger, and make it less likely for new groups to gain a foothold, all while maintaining the freedoms and ideals that we defend. To define that strategy, we must make decisions based not on fear, but hard-earned wisdom. And that begins with understanding the threat we face.”

The President regretted the ultimate sacrifice made by over 7,000 American soldiers in the war against terror.  How do our Jamaican leaders feel about the over 30,000 lives that have been lost because of tribal politics and the gang leaders spawned from these bitter divisions.  How do they feel about this culture of thievery and corruption which force investors to factor in huge security and pilferage allowances in their budgets?  No matter the billions we receive from the IMF and the other multi-laterals, business cannot prosper in an atmosphere of crime and corruption. 

Jamaica Council of Churches President Archbishop Emeritus Donald Reece

So, like America, Jamaica is at a crossroads.  We turn our faces to the Churches who are doing good work, but who we must now ask to become the game-changers for Jamaica.  The media has been doing its part, but it needs the support of the clergy.  The Jamaica Council of Churches has the power to chart a new course for the country’s values and attitudes, and a captive audience who can help to spread this urgent message of integrity and productivity. 

President Obama made it clear that, while there was information that had to be kept secret “that protects our operations and our people in the field, a free press is also essential for our democracy.”  He said he was “troubled by the possibility that leak investigations may chill the investigative journalism that holds government accountable.”

“Journalists should not be at legal risk for doing their jobs,” he declared. “Our focus must be on those who break the law. That is why I have called on Congress to pass a media shield law to guard against government over-reach. I have raised these issues with the Attorney General, who shares my concern. So he has agreed to review existing Department of Justice guidelines governing investigations that involve reporters, and will convene a group of media organizations to hear their concerns as part of that review.”

Readings - Faith and the Holy Spirit

Reading 2 Rom 5:1-5

from faithmessenger.com

Brothers and sisters:
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith,
we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
through whom we have gained access by faith
to this grace in which we stand,
and we boast in hope of the glory of God.
Not only that, but we even boast of our afflictions,
knowing that affliction produces endurance,
and endurance, proven character,
and proven character, hope,
and hope does not disappoint,
because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts
through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.

Gospel Jn 16:12-15

Jesus said to his disciples:
"I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now.
But when he comes, the Spirit of truth,
he will guide you to all truth.
He will not speak on his own,
but he will speak what he hears,
and will declare to you the things that are coming.
He will glorify me,
because he will take from what is mine and declare it to you.
Everything that the Father has is mine;
for this reason I told you that he will take from what is mine
and declare it to you."

Lowrie-Chin Post passes 750,000 Views

Lowrie-Chin Post  ·  Stats  ›  Audience

Pageviews by Countries

Entry	Pageviews
United States	364289
Jamaica	30636
United Kingdom	29343
France	26972
Sweden	24044
Germany	23883
Denmark	16076
Australia	13729
Pakistan	6323
Canada	6229

Justice Hon Lensley Wolfe declared Living Legacy

CCRP Board Member Donna Parchment Brown presents the CCRP Third Anniversary Legacy Award to Justice Hon Lensley Wolfe, Retired Chief Justice of Jamaica

The Honourable Justice Lensley Wolfe, was one of six ‘Living Legacies’ honoured by the seniors organisation, CCRP Jamaica at their third anniversary event recently.  Justice Wolfe was described by his nominator and CCRP board member Donna Parchment Brown as “a bastion of integrity and a leading light in the work to improve Jamaica’s justice system.”

Justice Wolfe is a distinguished jurist who served as Jamaica’s Chief Justice from 1996 to 2007. Described as “one who stands tall in discipline and rectitude, known for his humility… but fair and no-nonsense on the bench,” Justice Wolfe’s administration was marked by significant improvements in the delivery of justice.

He promoted and facilitated the increased institutionalization and use of Alternative Dispute Resolution in the courts and communities of Jamaica and the Caribbean. He now serves as Patron of Jamaica’s Dispute Resolution Foundation.

One of the most respected proponents of integrity, Justice Wolfe has chaired numerous committees reporting on important national and regional issues, including the first Annual Report of the Judiciary of Jamaica and the 1993 “Wolfe Report” of the National Task Force on Crime. He served as a member of the 2007 Justice System Reform Task Force, and currently chairs the Police Public Complaints Authority and the Public Services Commission.

Justice Wolfe chairs the Board of Governors of his alma mater, St. Jago High School. He is an Honorary Bencher of the Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn where he was called to the Bar in 1967, after studying at the Inns Court Law School in London. He is active in the Anglican Church and serves as Chancellor of its Diocese. Justice Lensley Wolfe – a living legend of whom every Jamaican can be proud.