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A time for anointing

Published:Friday | September 10, 2010 | 12:00 AM
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The University Singers perform another heart-warming piece at the installation of the Reverend Dr Marjorie Lewis as new president of the United Theological College of the West Indies.
A pulsating, African-inspired dance piece rocked the UWI Chapel.
The Reverend Dr Marjorie Lewis holding a ripe banana, flower and a candle, jokes with the Rt Reverend Dr Alfred Reid. - photos by Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer
The Reverend Dr Adlyn Cessing-White (left) anoints the head of the Reverend Dr Marjorie Lewis.
The Reverend Dr Venice Guntley-McKenzie (right) anoints the hands of Rev Lewis, new president of The United Theological College of the West Indies. Assisting is the Reverend Trevor Edwards (centre) while the Reverend Dr Stephen Jennings observes proceedings.
Kismet Cooper performs 'Wonderful World' for her mother, the Reverend Dr Marjorie Lewis.
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They say change is the only constant and the United Theological College of the West Indies (UTCWI) is not exempt.

The change we speak of is that for the first time in the institution's 44-year history a woman shall lead them. The Rev Dr Marjorie Lewis was installed on Monday at the UWI Chapel. Indicative of the cross-denominational stance of the college, officials from various corners of the faith came out to witness the historic occasion.

A robust affair

The installation was a lively, robust affair, whether it was dance or rousing renditions from the UWI singers. One special performance was from Kismet Cooper, the new president's daughter, who sang Wonderful World, accompanied by Maurice Gordon on his trusty guitar.

The highlight was the anointing. Three prominent women in the world of theology performed the ritual. First, the Rev Dr Adlyn Cessing-White, the first female ordained by the United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands anointed Lewis' head, then the Rev Dr Venice Guntley-McKenzie, one of the first two Jamaican women ordained as deaconess in the Anglican church anointed her hands. Finally, Dr Marsha Foster-Boyd, president of the Ecumenical Theological Seminary, Detroit, USA, anointed Lewis' feet

As Lewis was formally presented to the gathering by UTCWI board chairman, the Rev Dr Stephen Jennings, there was a drum roll accompanied by music and much fanfare, not to mention the rapturous applause. Lewis called for the gathering to remember the ideals of the founding members of the Caribbean Council of Churches and the pledge to journey together in Christ.