J’can installed as pastor at US Moravian church
WASHINGTON, DC -— The Rev Bevon White has become the third Jamaican to pastor the Faith Moravian Church of the nation’s capital, the only Moravian congregation in Washington DC.
Rev White, who hails from the parish of Manchester, was installed at a special ceremony held on Sunday.
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 turnout of 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 were Marsha Coore-Lobban, deputy chief of missions at the Embassy of Jamaica, who represented Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States Stephen Vasciannie.
In delivering his sermon, which was themed ‘The ministry that matters’, Rev White said the church will be seeking to make a greater impact in the community, through school care and after- care programmes, as well as programmes targeting the homeless and less fortunate in the DC area.
He also pointed to plans to expand the involvement of the youth by restarting the youth choir and developing a dance ministry.
“The idea is to get everyone involved in the church’s ministry.
Rev White noted that 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. He encouraged the congregation 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.
The installation service was officiated by the president of the church council, Dr Horace McCormack.
There is much to be done and together, we have an opportunity to do ministry in a new way,” he stated.
— JIS
