Church honours her for 58 years of service
By Cecelia Campbell-Livingston
For the last 58 years, Geraldine Easy has been an active member of the Church of God of Prophecy where she has served in every ministry except for the Men’s group.
Since the day she was christened in the church, Minister Easy said she grew up attending Sunday school and was always involved, but didn’t make a full commitment until she was 13 years old.
The now 71 year old member was among 114 persons honoured by the Church of God of Prophecy in Clarendon for their service to the church for more than 40 years and over. They were recognised at a special ceremony held at the May Pen Church of God of Prophecy on Fernleigh Avenue in Clarendon last week Sunday.
Bishop William D. Hutchinson, Parish Supervisor for Clarendon South, commenting on the function, said it was in line with the church’s 100-year celebration of ministry in Jamaica.
Easy has served in Jamaica and England and has been very supportive of activities at the prophecy church locations.
“I have been on almost every auxiliary, except men’s ministry. I have been a band leader, I was a youth leader, I was Sunday School Superintendent, and in England I was in wholistic ministry,” she shared with Freedom Come Rain, as she reeled off her long list of involvement.
Minister Easy, who has been fellowshipping for the past 12 years at the Bustamante Highway Church of God of Prophecy, in reflecting on her five decades of service, said presently she serves as a minister at the church, choir director, band leader, and is in charge of the worship team.
“One of the things I would like to say about my long years of service is this, you are never going to serve God if you don’t make mistakes and mess up along the way when you start as a child,” she said.
Sharing about her early days, Minister Easy said at age 18 she got pregnant and was not married while being in the church, and instead of shunning or dis-fellowshipping her, the church embraced her. She repented and continued her journey.
“That encouraged me. I tell people this, ‘when you make a mistake, you just pick yourself up and tell yourself that you made a mistake, which is not the end of the world and it is not the end of your salvation’. And if you really want to serve God, nothing is going to stop you,” she stated.
Laurie Green, a fourth-year student at Glenmuir High School, was also presented with a three-year scholarship during the service to celebrate long standing members.
“I had the option of doing a project as instructed by our national bishop (Winston Leith), but I chose to invest in a student, which is also accepted. We will be monitoring her as well,” Bishop Hutchinson said at the function.
Among the list of honourees last Sunday were Esmine Wright, Hermine Brown, Zebulah Aiken, and Arlene Hutchinson.
The organisation, which is now celebrating 100 years of existence in Jamaica as a part of the yearlong activities, recognised the members who are from various churches, including Foga Road, Rosewell, Free Town, Bustamante, Lionel Town, and Longville, among others.