KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) — Reverend Bevon White has become the third Jamaican to pastor the Faith Moravian Church in United Sates capital, the only Moravian congregation in Washington DC.  

White, who is from the parish of Manchester, was installed at a special ceremony held on Sunday, September 29.

The congregation, with a combined membership of approximately 200 people, brings together Moravians, who live in the DC metro area, with Jamaicans and Nicaraguans representing the largest groups.

A large cross-section of friends and well-wishers from along the US Eastern Atlantic seaboard, Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, packed the sanctuary on Sunday afternoon to witness the installation of Rev White.

Among the special guests was Deputy Chief of Missions, Embassy of Jamaica, Marsha Coore-Lobban, who represented Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States, Stephen Vasciannie.  

Also in attendance were the Reverend Sue Koenig of Graceham Moravian in Thurmont, MD; Rev Dr Michael Johnson of John Hus Moravian in Brooklyn, NY; Rev Earl Goulbourne of Grace Moravian in Queens, NY; Rev Tammie Rinker of Trinity Moravian in New Carrollton, MD and Elders Inskip Alsop and Novella Smith.

Rev White said the church will be seeking to make a greater impact in the community, through school care and after care programmes and feeding and clothing the homeless and less fortunate in the DC area. 

He also pointed to plans to expand the involvement of the youth members by re-starting the youth choir and developing a dance ministry.

 “The idea is to get everyone involved in the church’s ministry. Among the adults there will be various ministries to incorporate every member of the church. There is much to be done and together, we have an opportunity to do ministry in a new way,” he said.

According to Rev White the community of Riggs Park, in which the church is located, is poised for growth through the construction of a large residential and commercial mixed-use complex, and encouraged the congregation to begin to reposition themselves to take advantage of the opportunity to impact the lives of the new residents as well as to grow the church.   

Rev White was pastor of a Moravian church in the Cayman Islands before moving to Washington DC.  He is joined by his wife Cecile along with children Bevon Jr, twins Tianna and Tannia, and Kivon.