May 7, 2021 | St. John’s, Antigua | Lanisa Burke & Tasha Parry| Family Life Department
Single, Saved and Satisfied was the theme for the first South Leeward Conference sponsored singles’ retreat. The retreat was held virtually from April 14 -16, 2021.
The retreat was organized for singles who are looking, committed, satisfied with their singleness, divorced or widowed. The event had the support of the five islands of the South Leeward Conference and other Caribbean territories, as well as registrants reaching as far as Europe, the U.S.A. and South America. Persons were able to join on Zoom each night for two hours, which featured inspirational music, varied presentations and Spirit-filled devotions, and a time to mingle and get to know each other.
Sis. Linda Ambrose, Family Ministries director - North Caribbean Conference, presented on ‘Things to Look for In a Healthy Relationship’; Pastor Kay White - Personal Ministries director - South Leeward Conference (SLC), spoke on the topic ‘The Gift of Singleness’; Dr. Mark L. Braithwaite, Ministerial Secretary - SLC, presented on Pre-marital Counseling; Dr. Kern Tobias, President - Caribbean Union Conference (CARU), presented on Coping with Divorce and the Fall Out; and Pastor Ammaran Williams, Ministerial Secretary- CARU, shared on How to cope with loneliness. Additionally, Dr. Clive Dottin - Field Secretary, Public Affairs & Religious Liberty, CARU, presented on Managing Sexuality and Romantic Interests; Pastor Charles Heskey (Retired pastor) - SLC presented on Expectations in Marriage; Dr. Carson Greene, President - SLC, presented on Divorce and the Church; and Pastor Horrell, (retired pastor) - CARU, presented on Dating Again!
Each fantastic evening began with hosts, Tasha Parry and Lanisa Burke. These ladies from the island of Nevis, engaged the audience with their effervescent and winsome personalities. This dynamic duo captured the attention of the 160 plus persons who attended the sessions each evening with the relevant summaries, humor and introductions. hey were indeed the “life of the retreat!”
Pastor Marvyn Smith, Director of the Youth, Chaplaincy and Public Campus Ministries in the Guyana Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, was the retreat’s devotional speaker. A few of the powerful statements the man of God shared were “Look and look good” and “our biggest threat is not the enemy, it is the inner me”.
Recognizing that a well-rounded life is ideal, the planning committee arranged to have Mr. Garfield Joseph, a business management practitioner with international experience, make an all-inclusive presentation on ‘Making Investments and Developing Small Business’. Mr. Joseph encouraged the singles to consider starting their own businesses and gave advice and entertained questions afterwards.
Based on feedback, many were definitely satisfied at the end of the retreat. So, whether single and looking, fulfilled, committed, widowed or divorced, every single person was welcomed at SLC’s sweet singles’ retreat! The next retreat is looked forward to with great anticipation as singles can once again mingle.