A rollicking reunion!

The participants in the Torrington United Church reunion were slightly hesitant as they entered the meeting hall at Shirley Retreat Hotel on Maeven Avenue, in St Andrew, to receive their name tags, tote bags, souvenir programmes and register for the event.

However, as soon as they caught sight of old familiar faces, they came alive, and there were shouts of joy, exclamations and much hugging, as they started their journey down memory lane.

They were welcomed to the Jamaica Night by the Reverend Donovan McPherson, minister of Torrington United Church, who applauded the homecoming celebration, and commended the local and overseas committees for bringing it together.

"We wish everyone a stimulating and engaging week, as we observe our theme, 'Celebrating the Past, Renewed for the Future'," he declared.

The mood was totally upbeat, as about 70 members of the church, 40 of whom made the trip from overseas, enjoyed Jamaica Night, which kicked off their six-day reunion to celebrate Jamaica 50; and to recognise the 118th year of the founding of the former Disciples of Christ Church at 35A Slipe Road in St Andrew.

It was a rollicking evening, as Norma Thompson and Joan Mendes, the 'Edmonds Twins' humorously chaired the function with skits and icebreakers followed by a totally Jamaican dinner.

"Our members from the diaspora came from the United States of America, Canada, the United Kingdom and Belize," Alice Lowe, chairperson of the local organising committee, explained. "And this gathering has been more than a year in the making."

Lowe noted that the group from the diaspora represented three generations of church members, who migrated during the 1960s, through 1980s. And some had not been home for as many as 25 to 30 years. One member, Pauline Stanley, formerly Petinaud, had not been back to the church in nearly 50 years.

"We wanted to come home to celebrate Jamaica 50, rediscover our roots, and maintain our links with this 118-year-old church, and remember the persons who trained us, as young people, to whom we owe much for who we have become as adults," said Yvonne Harper, who resides in New York. She, a frequent visitor, had initiated the planning for the reunion event.

"It was an enlightening experience to reach out to old friends around the world, via email and Skype," Harper pointed out. "And the thought of seeing old friends and being back in the home church fuelled positive responses. Once the project got under way, the eight-member local organising committee did a magnificent job of planning to make our get-together a memorable event."

Errol Needham orchestrated transportation; Norma Thompson and Gloria Walker secured and decorated the mini-hamper baskets, which were filled with cut cake, tamarind balls, gizada, and banana chips; Shernett Smith, manager of Shirley Retreat Hotel, spearheaded accommodation and Jamaican cuisine for the main events; and Carmen Tipling assisted with the production of material.

Courtesy Call on the GG

One of the high points of the week for the visitors was a courtesy call on the governor general, His Excellency Sir Patrick Allen, at King's House on October 8. He commended the group for making the journey home and highlighted some of the valuable contributions that Jamaicans in the diaspora continued to make to their homeland.

Mrs Lowe, who introduced the leaders of the group, presented the governor general with a copy of the reunion souvenir programme, and he graciously facilitated photographs with the various groups.

"In all my years of living in Jamaica, I have never been to King's House," said Pearline McFarlane, who attended with her husband, Dudley, from Watford, England, remarked. "And this was a very special occasion for me, particularly the opportunity to take a photograph with the governor general."

Members were also delighted to take their own photographs on the grounds of King's House, with the permission of the governor general.

Reunion Banquet at Eden Gardens

The reunion banquet at Eden Gardens was another occasion for the members of the group to step out graciously.

Barbara Gloudon, guest speaker, regaled the church members with delightful stories of Jamaican survival at home and abroad as only this raconteur can. She also highlighted some of the changes that had taken place in the society in its 50 years of Independence; mentioned the role that Jamaicans in the diaspora played in national development; and complimented those who made the trip home.

"We have come of age," she assured the visiting friends and relatives, "and, there is much to celebrate in our 50 years of Independence. However, there are many areas of our social and economic development that we must address, as we continue to move forward."

Ditty Young, formerly Morris, who resides in Ontario, Canada, tweaked the memories of everyone in her remembrance of Sunday school teachers, former ministers and the riveting sermons they delivered, youth fellowship, outings, which she said "influenced our lives as young people and adults".

And there was a generous presentation of gifts.

The venue at Eden Gardens was generously provided by Professor Henry Lowe, and his brother Dr Herbert Lowe, members of the church.

Joyous Church Service

The reunion church service at Torrington United on October 7 was a celebration in song, with a special presentation of It Only Takes A Spark by the former Choir B members under the direction of former choir mistress Lowe. Most of this group now reside overseas, and were performing together for the first time in many years. And the church choir delivered We Are United in Jesus.

The Reverend Norbert Stephens, general secretary of the United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, brought greetings from the synod and wished the participants a rewarding experience.

Member of parliament for the constituency, Dr Omar Davies, minister of transport, works and housing, brought greetings at service, welcomed the visitors; and commended the members of the church for their ongoing outreach and social initiatives in the community.

In his sermon, the Reverend Dr Stotrell Lowe spoke about the children of Israel who went to visit Canaan, the Promised Land, and when they returned some said that the land was fertile, while others said that there were giants. His question to the group was, therefore, "What is the message that you will take back?"

He noted that some of the visitors would see positive changes but, in the final analysis, it was their attitude that would shape the message that they gained from their experience in Jamaica.

Following the service, members of the church, led by Gloria Walker and Lorna Weise, celebrated the occasion by hosting a delightful brunch for the visitors and members of the congregation.

Rediscovering Jamaica

The overseas members also participated in a rediscover Jamaica tour, which included a highlight bus tour of the Corporate Area and Portmore, participation in a service and tour of the United Theological College of the West Indies at The University of the West Indies, a trip to Port Royal for a tasty lunch of fish in all its culinary forms, a picnic at Somerset Falls in Portland, an afternoon at the theatre to enjoy a Jamaican play and a visit to the Torrington Early Childhood Centre.

"It was an excellent opportunity to visit Jamaica again," stated Winston Needham, who attended with his wife, Antoinette, from Clearwater, Florida. "And I look forward to maintaining my links with Torrington United Church through the support of the Torrington Early Childhood Centre and other outreach activities. However, my main question is: when is the next reunion?"

-Contributed.

Full Caption

Jamaica Night celebration: A group of old friends (from left) Ditty Young, Donna Foster, Elaine Lyons, Joan Mendes, Norma Thompson and Yvonne Harper catching up at the Jamaica Night celebration, welcoming members of the Torrington United Church reunion at Shirley Retreat Hotel on October 5. The event was chaired by Norma and Joan, who were appropriately dressed in their Jamaican outfits. -- Contributed

Members of the Torrington United Church, who paid a courtesy call on His
Excellency Sir Patrick Allen, governor general, at King's House on
October 8. The members were attending a Jamaica 50 reunion at their
church, and were accompanied by local representatives: the Reverend
Donovan McPherson, minister of Torrington United Church; Alice G. Lowe,
chairperson of the local reunion organising committee; Yvonne Harper,
overseas organiser, United States; and the Reverend Stotrell Lowe,
former minister of the church. -Contributed Photos