Rollington Town SDA Church rededicated after extensive renovations

Under the theme Preserving the Foundation…Expanding the Vision, the Seventh-day Adventist Church at Rollington Town, was re-dedicated to the service of the Lord on Sunday, January 1, 2023, following extensive renovations to the building.

 

From the first servings of sorrel and cake that said: “Welcome one and all”, to the last note sung by the group One Accord, the occasion was one of celebration and thanksgiving.  To say it was an awesome and inspiring experience is an understatement.

 

Shortly after 4:30 p.m., and to the voice of Mr. Josiah Maynard-Reid singing “Open the Gates of The Temple”, we went rejoicing into God’s presence. We had just witnessed, at the front of the church, the opening prayer by Pastor Glenville Carr and the official cutting of the ribbon to the entry of the newly renovated building by the president of Jamaica Union of Seventh-day Adventists, Pastor Everett Brown. The main front doors were officially opened and the master of ceremonies, Mr. Ian Jackson, continued his masterful job of eloquently leading the congregation through the evening’s proceedings.

From start to finish, the programme of music and the spoken word, interspersed with the customary cutting of more ribbons, opening of windows and more doors, turning on of lights and fans, all echoed the highest praise to God.

 

With Ms. Toni-Ann Watson and Mr. Shaquan Robinson - extending a warm welcome to all, and the scripture reading by Mrs. Edris Pinnock - there was a warm family feeling permeating the atmosphere.

Host pastor, Sadekie Beckford, offered his voice of welcome to all present with special welcome to Pastor Everett Brown, Pastor Meric Walker, East Jamaica of Conference of SDA President, Pastor Melvin Francis, Executive Secretary, East Jamaica Conference of SDA, and other visiting pastors.

Among the words spoken during the evening’s programme were greetings from both pastors Everett Brown and Meric Walker along with video & written greetings from former pastors Windel Montaque, Hanson Drysdale and Cornel Jackson respectively. Also bringing greetings were churches in the district, Stadium Community Church and Metro Mission; from North Street SDA Church, Andrews SDA District of Churches, Shortwood District of Churches, Kings Chapel SDA, and Johnson Town SDA.  

The presentation of the history of this church, very ably done by Mrs. Deonne Anderson, highlighted our journey of faith over the past 90 plus years and reminded us of the faithfulness of God to us and the fact that only what is done for Christ will last.

Among the highlights of the evening’s programme was the dedicatory sermon by Pastor Everett Brown.  He praised the work that was accomplished and the beauty of the building. He charged us though not to get complacent in this beautiful building as, like Solomon’s temple in Jerusalem, it too can be destroyed.  He charged us to become living sanctuaries for Christ.

 

The Litany of Dedication and Act of Dedication followed with pastors Meric Walker, Melvin Francis and Sadekie Beckford leading the congregation in the litany and Pastor Beckford doing the Act of Dedication.

Adding their voices in musical praise to the evening’s programme were: Mr. Josiah Maynard-Reid, The Rollington Town SDA Church Children’s Choir, Mrs. Marcia Brown, Ms. Neisha-Ann Moyston, The Rollington Town SDA Church Men’s Group, Progress, The Rollington Town SDA Church Youth Choir, The Rollington Town SDA Church Choir, Mrs. Karnette Batchelor Evering, The Rollington Town SDA Combined Choir and One Accord.

In offering appreciation, we offer sincere thanks to all those who laboured tirelessly and gave willingly of their time, talent and funds to the renovation of our sanctuary and the success of our re-dedication service. May all who come behind us find us faithful.