“Generosity is doing something for someone without expecting anything in return”
Volume 42 July 2020
Produced by: Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA)
Beersheba Primary School (Government Leased)
New Market P.O., Saint Elizabeth, Jamaica, W.I
E-mail: beershebaoldstudentsassn@gmail.com
Officers: Glenis Daley, President
Victor Smith, Vice President
Vincent Samuels, ASC, BBA, Secretary/Treasurer, Editor Producer
Ann Hamilton, Assistant Secretary
OBJECTIVE
The objective of BOSA Newsletter is to inform and educate the people in Beersheba Primary School Community and all Beersheba Primary School Alumni in Jamaica and the Diaspora by means of clean and wholesome news. In doing so, the Newsletter will continue to highlight and celebrate their achievements, mourn their losses, defend their rights and articulate their needs. With meticulous calculated professional news reporting, the Newsletter will ceaselessly expose the entrenched culture of silence, secrecy, non-response and pussy-footing that has characterized the unscrupulous tyrannical oligarchy rule that is tarnished with nepotism that is designed to frustrate Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) as it continues to work assiduously as the safety net and mentor for voiceless and vulnerable students who reside in the impoverished peasant farming Beersheba Primary School Community from falling through the cracks cognizant of the fact, that had it not been for intervention of the Association, these students would be left alone to fend for themselves contrary to the vision of James “Dick” Richards, (1872-1965), Beersheba Primary School Alumnus, Soldier, Self-made Businessman, Philanthropist and Icon.
REFLECTION ON BEERSHEBA PRIMARY SCHOOL ALUMNI THAT HAVE PASSED ON
Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) joins with family members, relatives and friends who are grieving and mourning the loss of their love ones who have passed away since our last newsletter was published. May the memories of these bereaved love ones continue to linger in our hearts and minds cognizant that Sunset in one land is Sunrise in another.
DECISION TAKEN BY THE SCHOOL BOARD AT BEERSHEBA PRIMARY SCHOOL (GOVERNMENT LEASED) AND THE MANAGING COMMITTEE FOR JAMES RICHARDS EDUCATIONAL TRUST FUND RE SHANISA JONES, NOW GRADE 10 C STUDENT AT SAINT ELIZABETH TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL (STETHS)
As a result of the entrenched culture of silence, secrecy, non-response and pussyfooting by the School Board, the contentious outstanding subject matter that is mentioned on pages 1, 2 and 3 of 10 in Volume 40January 2020 of BOSA Newsletter remains unresolved.
PROGRESS REPORT ON SHANISA JONES, NICKAYLA STEVENS, AND DAMANIKE SMITH, NASHENA DOBBS, NASHANA DOBBS AND DURVANE BROWN
SHANISA JONES
Shanisa Jones who continued her academic excellence as a student enrolled at the University of Technology (UTECH) Kingston Campus, is currently doing Teaching Practice at Alpha Academy one of the traditional high school in Kingston. Shanisa who is the recipient of the coveted Award of Excellence from the President of the University of Technology (UTECH), will graduate from the University in the Commencement Exercise that will be held in June 2020.
NICK AYLA STEVENS
Nickayla Stevens who has been successful in passing subjects in CSEC and CXC Examination has graduated from Upper Six Form at Saint Elizabeth Technical High School at the end of the School Year in Summer 2018. Nickayla currently gainfully employed in the Hotel Industry in Montego Bay, Saint James, Jamaica West Indies.
DAMANIKE SMITH
Damanike Smith who continued to maintain her academic excellence as an enrolled student at HEART/NTA, Black River Campus, graduated from the Institution after she successfully completed her course of study in Business Administration. Damanike is currently gainfully employed at a Bill Express/Western Union, Black River, Saint Elizabeth, Jamaica West Indies.
NASHENA DOBBS
Nashena Dobbs continues her excellent academic performance as a student at Mount Alvernia High School, Montego Bay, Saint James, Jamaica West Indies. Our readers are invited to log in to BOSA website bosaonline.org to read more about Nashena Dobbs, an Achiever and Trailblazer from the graduating class of 2017 at Beersheba Primary School.
NASHANA DOBBS
Nashana Dobbs – Nashena’s sister – a beneficiary of James Richards Educational Trust Fund Scholarship is currently attending Hampton School, Malvern, Saint Elizabeth as a non-boarding student in keeping with the decision taken by her parents Ivan Dobbs and Nola Delisser who resides in the impoverished peasant farming district of Flint Valley, New Market, Saint Elizabeth.
DURVANE BROWN
Durvane Brown who is also from Flint Valley, has been placed at Saint Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS). Durnane’s placement at STETHS resulted from his excellent academic performance of 82 average in 2018 Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT). Durvane began attending STETHS for the New School Year that began on September 3, 2018.
MEET SAMEIKA MAITLAND BOSA ADOPTED ACHIEVER AND TRAILBLAZER
Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) is pleased to announce that Sameika Maitland has applied and has been admitted by the University of Technology (UTECH) Kingston Campus to pursue the Bachelor of Science Degree in Environmental Health. In the letter of admittance that UTECH has sent to Sameika Maitland, the University wrote quote: Your qualifications demonstrate the work you have put in and we have chosen you from a vast pool of applicants unquote.
Sameika is scheduled to commence classes as an on campus boarding students at UTECH on Monday, August 24, 2020.
PRIMARY EXIT PROFILE (PEP) WHICH REPLACE GRADE SIX ACHIEVEMENT TEST (GSAT) IN 2019
Parents and Guardians are urged to familiarize themselves with information that the Ministry of Education has promulgated on its website and through various Media Houses in Jamaica regarding Primary Exit Profile (PEP) with its focus on critical and analytical thinking that replaces Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) with its focus on pencil and paper and multiple choice task in 2019. Curricula in education systems worldwide have been changing and Jamaica must keep up with scientific and technological change or the country will be left behind.
BOSA INVALUABL, BEERSHEBA PRIMARY SCHOOL ALUMNI, HONORARY MEMBERS, FRIENDS, AND WELL-WISHERS WHO CONTINUE TO GIVE IN THE INTEREST AND WELFARE OF OUR STUDENTS
Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) wishes to place on record and express its sincere gratitude and appreciation to those Beersheba Primary School Alumni – including Winston and Sheila Hamilton, Roy Holness, Kenneth Smith, Dr. Trevor Hamilton, Dorette Lind,` Winston Hamilton, Neville “Butty” Cooke, Professor Patrick Brown, Merlene Holness-Pryce, Howard Hamilton et al for their invaluable financial support that they continue to give to the Association.
Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) also wishes to recognize and commend Vinette Hamilton-D’Andrade, BBA and her husband Clayton D’Andrade for their innovation in proposing to use Clouds Of Hope Ministry & Clouds Of Hope Substance Abuse Prevention Services, LLC to work with Stakeholders in Beersheba Primary School Community to put on GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNIUTY DAY (An Annual Event) that will be held at Beersheba Primary School on Friday, July 3, 2020.
Volunteers and Donors who desire to identify and contribute in cash and kind to this outreach project are urged to contact:
Vinette Hamilton-D’Andrade, BBA
Cellular/Mobile Telephone: 1-404-272-5810
Email: vinette474@gmail.com
UPDATE ON GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY DAY
As a result of the global devastating effect that COVID-19 Pandemic is having in countries throughout the world, the organizers have decided to postpone the event until July 2021.
NEED FOR PRIMARY EXIT PROFILE (PEP) STUDENTS GRADUATING BEERSHEBA PRIMARY SCHOOL IN THE CLASS OF 2019 AND BEYOND TO BE COMPUTER LITERATE
It is with great joy and long awaited accomplishment that Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) announces that Broadband Internet Wi-Fi Service is now available at Beersheba Primary School.
The Association wishes to commend the Administration at the school for its tenacity and innovation in bringing Broadband Internet Wi-Fi Service to the school. The Association hopes that now that Information Technology (IT) is now available at Beersheba Primary School, that the Administration will take appropriate action to ensure that all students that are enrolled at the school will be exposed and trained to use the technology so that no student will graduate from the school as a computer illiterate.
Beersheba Primary School Alumni who would like to contact their alma mater can do so by email to: beersheba.primary.sch@moey.gov.jm
BI-MONTHLY MEETINGS OF BOSA
The Administration at Beersheba Primary School (Government Leased), has granted Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) permission to continue holding its bi-monthly general meeting in the main auditorium of the school.
Meetings are held in the main auditorium at Beersheba Primary School bi-monthly on the second Friday commencing at 4:00PM.
FUND RAISING ACTIVITIES IN CONNECTION WITH BOSA SUPPORT FUND FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
BOSA Members, Honorary BOSA Members, Friends, Well-wishers, and other Beersheba Primary School Old Students who have not yet heard but who through the help of other Old Students, and this News Letter, will be made aware of BOSA existence and the work that the Association has been doing in the interest and welfare of students at Beersheba Primary School, are urged to make Checks(Cheques)Money Orders for their generous financial contribution to BOSA Support Fund payable to BEERSHEBA OLD STUDENTS ASSOCIATION and is to be mailed to: Vincent Samuels, Secretary/Treasurer, Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) at 99 Jacaranda Avenue, Flat Rocks Subdivision, Black River P.O., Saint Elizabeth, Jamaica West Indies. All donations received will be promptly acknowledged in writing on BOSA official letter head.
Persons living in Jamaica, West Indies may deposit their generous financial contribution to BEERSHEBA OLD STUDENTS ASSOCIATION Savings Account No. 5501336655 at any Branch of Sagicor Bank Jamaica Limited and advise the Secretary/Treasurer of the Association when the deposit has been made so that such contributions can be promptly acknowledged in writing.
MEET THE ACHIEVERS AND TRAILBLAZERS
No profile has been received from anyone to be posted under the above heading in this newsletter.
Editor’s Note: If Beersheba Primary School (Government Leased) Alumni in Jamaica and the Diaspora would like to see themselves being featured under this heading, Alumni who have not yet responded to appeals made in BOSA Newsletters to send the Editor/Producer their curriculum vitae, academic, and communal profile as an attachment to the Association’s e-mail address: beershebaoldstudentsassn.@gmail.com as soon as possible so that they can be published in Volume 39 as well as future Volumes of the Newsletter.
RESOLUTION TO RENAME BEERSHEBA PRIMARY SCHOOL JAMES RICHARDS PRIMARY SCHOOL
As a result of the above subject matter being thoroughly discussed with the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education in a meeting that was held at the Ministry’s Head Office in Kingston, Jamaica west Indies on March 13, 2013, and the matter being given full support by the Saint Elizabeth Parish Council, South Coast Resort Board and Jamaica Heritage Trust Foundation, Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) is hopeful that with the full backing of the entities named herein,the School Board at Beersheba Primary School (Government Leased) will do the right thing so that James “Dick” Richards, Beersheba Primary School Alumnus, Soldier, Self-made Businessman, Icon and Philanthropist will be officially recognized and honoured as an integral part of the heritage in Beersheba School Community.
In the pursuance to ensure that James “Dick” Richards gets full recognition for using for his own money to purchase the land on which the Ministry of Education built Beersheba Primary School as well as his money that Bermuda Trust Company transformed to the school as New Trustee from which James Richards Educational Trust Fund is established at The Bank of Nova Scotia Jamaica Limited (Black River Branch); representatives of Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) met with His Worship the Mayor of Black River and Chairman Saint Elizabeth Municipal Corporation Councillor Derrick Sangster and Mr. Errol Lebert, Chief Executive Officer, Saint Elizabeth Municipal Corporation in the office of CEO on January 15, 2018 to thoroughly discuss this outstanding.
Councillor Richard Solomon, Member Saint Elizabeth Municipal Corporation for New Market Parochial Division who was invited to the meeting and participate in the discussion on the above mentioned subject matter did not show up. Representatives from Saint Elizabeth Municipal Corporation who attended the meeting acquiesced that the Corporation will pursue the matter with the Ministry of Education since all criteria stipulated by the Ministry to rename the school has been met. In addition, it was agreed that the Councillor for New Market Parochial Division will take appropriate action to organize and hold a non-political, non-partisan Town Hall Meeting in the main auditorium at Beersheba Primary School. The purpose of the meeting is to anable Councillor Solomon to obtain feedback from all Stakeholders in Beersheba Primary School Community on the matter and report his findings to Saint Elizabeth Municipal Corporation which has an active Education Committee on its establishment.
MEMBERS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD BEERSHEBA PRIMARY SCHOOL, NEW MARKET, SAINT ELIZABETH, JAMAICA, WEST INDIES
The National Council on Education (NCE) has published the names of the following persons whom the Honourable Minister of Education Senator Ruel Reid has appointed to serve on the School Board at
Beersheba Primary School (Government School), New Market, Saint Elizabeth, Jamaica West Indies for 2016/2017 Academic School Year:
Chairman: Rev. Christopher Euphfa
Principal: Mrs. Tatlin Smith-Williams
Academic Staff representative: Mrs. Naomi Foster-Brooks
PTA Representative: Nickesha Lawrence
Community Representative: Mr. Valdes Hamilton
Member: Mr. Michael Morgan (Deceased)
Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) assumes that:
1. As a result of the retirement of Mrs. Tatlin Smith-Williams as Principal Beersheba Primary School, National Education Council (NCE) will take appropriate action to ensure that Mrs. Michele Sanderson, Acting Principal is appointed to fill the vacancy on the School Board and its website updated accordingly.
2 As a result of Miss Nickesha Lawrence no longer residing in Beersheba Primary School Community, that National Education Council will take appropriate action to appoint someone as the PTA Representative on the School Board and its website updated accordingly.
Editor’s Note: At the meeting that the School Board at Beersheba Primary School (Government Leased) held with representatives of Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) on Wednesday, September 19, 2018, with “Shana”, a new face introduced by the Chairman of the School Board as the representative of the PTA, the Secretary/Treasurer of the Association informed the Chairman that the name of the new representative of the PTA that he has introduced to the meeting is not on the official list of members published by National Council on Education (NCE)
THE ELESA HAMILTON SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME
By way of update to information that is given in Volume 35 October 2018 of BOSA Newsletter on the above subject matter; the said matter was thoroughly discussed between the School Board at Beersheba Primary School (Government Leased) and Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) at a meeting that was held in the main auditorium at the School on Wednesday, September 19, 2018.
With respect to the position that the School Board has taken on the matter that the criteria set by the Administrators of The Elesa Hamilton Scholarship Programme is too stringent, the Secretary/Treasurer Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA), told the Chairman that since the Association has no jurisdiction with respect to how the Scholarship Programme is administered, the School Board should write to the Administrator of the Scholarship Programme to discuss the Board’s concern.
Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) is still awaiting a copy of the email message that the School Board has sent to the Administrator of the Scholarship Programme regarding concern the Board mentioned at the meeting.
BOSA SCIENCE AND HEALTH CORNER
Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) is please insert for the benefit our readers, email message dated May 7, 2020 captioned: Forwarding Emile Durkheim’s Theory on suicide for your information, perusal and consideration and attachment that was sent to selected individuals.
THE EMAIL MESSAGE AND ATTACHMENT
Hello All:
In the Jamaica Gleaner dated May 6, 2020, captioned: Use innovative approach to tackle quarantine and isolation stress, Dr. Kevin Goulbourne, Director of Mental Health Services in the Ministry of Health and Wellness, the newspaper writes quote: Goulbourne pointed to instances where dashed hopes of being released have led to hysteria and persons threatening to harm themselves, noting that some will actually attempt to do so unquote
It is against the backdrop of salient points that Dr. Goulbourne is quoted as making in his presentation on the effects of quarantine and isolation of individuals under the Disaster Risk Management Act under which individuals tend to perceive themselves as being overregulated and their freedom restricted or taken away, that I have attached to this message, a document pertaining to secondary research that I have done on suicide, a phenomenon that is likely to occur because of the reason that I have given in this message.
It is hoped that information provided in the attached document will enable you all to identify warning signs and help people to cope before they harm and destroy themselves.
Sincerely
Vincent Samuels, ASC, BBA
Secretary/Treasurer
Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA)
New Market, Saint Elizabeth
Jamaica West Indies
THE ATTACHMENT
EMILE DURKHEIM THEORY ON SUICIDE
According to Emile Durkheim, French Philosopher who was born on April 15, 1858, and acknowledged Comte and Spencer, Founding Fathers of Sociology as his master, on a sociological perspective, Durkheim said suicide is not an individual act or personal action. Conversely, it is caused by some power which is over and above the individual’
Durkheim list types of suicides in his theory as follows:
- Altruistic suicide which occurs when individuals and the group in which they interact are too close and intimate and results from over integrating of individuals into social proof; for example, customs, norms, taboos that are associated with Cultic and Religious Groups.
- Egotistic suicide occurs when an individual feels he/she no longer has any place in society and there is a disconnect.
- Anomic suicide is due to certain breakdown of social equilibrium such as suicide after a person declares bankruptcy or after winning a lottery. Anomic suicide takes place in a situation that has cropped up suddenly and the individual becomes overwhelmed.
- Fatalistic suicide is due to overregulation in society. Under overregulation of a society, when a servant or a slave commits suicide, when a barren woman commits suicide, these are examples of fatalistic suicide.
GOLDEN THOUGHTS AND NUGGETS
“How I wish” says Anthony “Gary” Atkinson, Beersheba Primary School, Munro College and University College of the West Indies (Mona Campus) Alumni, “we could write down these and paste these ancient laws that never fail by our bed sides to memorize and cross check our lives regularly.”
To be rich give
- To succeed serve
- To laugh make someone laugh
- To prosper be honest
- To excel be faithful
- To go far get up early
- To change someone change yourself first
- To be great be disciplined
- To be strong pray often
- To do a lot speak little
- To be faithful praise God
- To live well forgive
- To talk well bind anger
- To sleep well work hard
- To be loved show love to others
- To be a good husband listen to your significant other or conjugal partner
- To be respected be polite
- To bind Satan sanctify and humble yourself under the Mighty Hands of God
- To grow in faith meditate on the word of God always
“None of these has ever failed; give them a try and see for yourself “ says Anthony “Gary” Atkinson.
BRAIN TEASERS (CONTRIBUTED BY VELITA CAIN)
Only the names of fruits are found in each of the following sentences. Here is a clue: letters to the name of each fruit are all found next to each other and not anywhere else or separate in the sentence. Answers to the following puzzles will be given in Volume 43 October 2020 of BOSA Newsletter.
Here is a solution in this example to get you thinking: Did you see a man go by? (mango)
He found his home lonely after his dog’s death.
- One dare not rob an anaconda of its prey.
- The crook made his escape armed with a gem.
- She told her uncle money was what she needed more.
- If I go out now, I shall miss my cousin.
- Either courage or anger made him move swiftly.
- The beggar held out his cap pleading for money.
- Matters regarding rape should be dealt differently.
- The English teacher Ryan teaches French too.
- He saw his papa yawning at work.
- He had kept on his lap lumpsum of money.
- Are classes for Telugu available in this city?
- It is easy to shape a child rather than a man.
- He is an extremely cheesy guy.
- Can I wear a khaki with a black shirt?
DISCOVERY OF SLAVE BURIAL GROUND AT PAYNES TOWN, NEW MARKET, SAINT ELIZABETH, JAMAICA WEST INDIES
Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) again invites readers of its Newsletter to log in to its website: bosaonline.org to read and view photographs related to the above captioned news article that is published on its web page.
Mrs. Elvie Miller , 79 year old widow (owner of the property on which the Slave Burial Ground is located) and her daughter Mrs. Madge Mullings who reside on the same property, is awaiting the visit from Archaeologists from the History and Archaeological Department of the university of the West Indies, Mona Campus, Jamaica West Indies and Jamaica National Heritage Trust to take over, preserve and secure the site where the mortal remains of Hon. John Salmon, former Custos Rotulorum for Saint Elizabeth and President of the Legislative Council in Jamaica, Samuel John Manley, grandfather of Norman Washington Manley, former Prime Minister of Jamaica and Jamaican National Hero and myriad African Ancestors are buried.
Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) and Paynes Town/New Market Community anxiously await the visit of Archaeologists from the History and Archaeology Department University of the West Indies (Mona campus), Jamaica National Heritage Trust to fulfill their written commitments to visit the historic site with a view to preserve and secure the site and declare it a National Heritage Site.
As a result of the significant discovery of the Slave Burial Ground, Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) in anticipation of New Market – including Carr District, birthplace of James “Dick” Richards – being declared a National Heritage Site by Jamaica National Heritage Trust – has written to the Ministry of Youth and Culture (copied to other related Government Ministries, Agencies and Quasi Agencies and Hon.
J. C. Hutchinson, Member of parliament NW Saint Elizabeth and Minister Without Portfolio in the Ministry of Industry, Investment, Commerce and Agriculture requesting that favourable consideration is given to refurbish the Old New Market Police Station into a Museum that will be managed by a trained professional Curator.
Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) is delighted to inform readers of its Newsletter that as a result of representation that the Association made to Government Ministries and Agencies to rid the Old Police Station at New Market of Squatters who had illegally occupied the building, that the building has been repossessed and the entire premises is being cleaned and cleared of thick overgrowth and vegetation. The Association looks forward to the building being turned into a museum and the monument that was built on the site and dedicated in a civic ceremony on the night when Jamaica gained Independence from Great Britain refurbished.
In its email message dated June 10, 2017 addressed to Beersheba Primary School Alumni, Friends, Well-wishers and related Jamaica Government Ministries and Entities, Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) wrote quote: While Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) and other Stakeholders in the impoverished peasant farming New Market Community eagerly await the visit of Archeologists from UWI History and Archeology Department and Jamaica National Heritage Trust to take over, preserve and declare the Slave Burial Ground a National Heritage Site, Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) invites everyone to procure and read Maureen Warner-Lewis book: ARCHIBALD MONTEATH, IGBO, JAMAICAN MORAVIAN, University of the West Indies Press 2007. Maureen Warner-Lewis book which can be purchased in various bookstores as well as at www.amazon.com will open readers eyes and help them to better understand the events that occurred on the Slave Estate at Kepp, Paynes Town, Hopeton, New Savannah and elsewhere in the Parish of Saint Elizabeth. Unquote
At the invitation of Councillor Richard Solomon, the Secretary/Treasurer Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) accompanied by Mrs. Elvie Miller and her daughter Madge Mullings visited and toured The Slave Burial Ground at Paynes Town, New Market, Saint Elizabeth on Sunday, February 03, 2019. Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) is looking forward to hear from Councillor Solomon with respect to the way forward in dealing with the matter.
Editor’s Note: The foregoing subject matter was thoroughly discussed in a meeting that was held in the office of the Chief Executive Officer, Saint Elizabeth Municipal Corporation on January 15, 2018. The meeting which was provided over by His Worship the Mayor of Black River and Chairman Saint Elizabeth Municipal Corporation Councillor Derrick Sangster, was attended by Mr. Errol Lebert, Chief Executive Officer, Saint Elizabeth Municipal Corporation, representatives of Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA), New Market CDC, and Mrs. Elvie Miller and her daughter Madge Mullings; Owner of the property on which the Slave Burial Ground is located; acquiesced and decided that the Saint Elizabeth Municipal Corporation will pursue the matter with the History and Archaeology Department of the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus, Kingston, Jamaica West Indies so as to get the Department and Jamaica National Heritage Trust Foundation to honour the commitment that was given to the association that they would visit, take over, secure and preserve the site.
BEERSHEBA OLD STUDENTS ASSOCIATION (BOSA) HAS NOW BECOME AN ACTIVE MEMBER IN NEW MARKET COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Cognizant of what can be achieved through the concept of synergy, without abandoning its Mission and Vision Statements and objectives, Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) has become an active member in New Market Community Development Committee that is comprised of all districts that make up Beersheba Primary School Community and other Communities for which New Market is the Hub.
In the pursuance of this synergy, Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) intends to articulate and use the numerical strength and voice of New Market Community Development Committee backed by Social Development Commission (SDC) to bring to the table, all unresolved outstanding matters that have appeared in BOSA Newsletters over the past several years.
New Market Community Development Committee has pledged its support and commitment in planning, organizing, staffing (recruiting volunteers), directing and controlling tactical and logistical activities in connection with GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY DAY that will be held at Beersheba Primary School on Friday, July 03, 2020. Our readers are asked to log into BOSA website bosaonline.org to read more about the event that will be put on by Clouds Of Hope Ministries, Georgia, USA in collaboration with New Market Community Development Committee.
BOSA DEVOTIONAL
In Mark 4:30-34, as a great multitude was gathered unto Jesus, so great was the gathering of people that Jesus went into a ship from where He taught the multitude of people that were seated on land. Among the many parables that Jesus taught to illustrate what the Kingdom of God is like; is the parable of the Sower and the seed that are both metaphors (figures of speech).
The word parable which comes from the Greek words para and bale, means “placing side by side.” Parables are illustrations that are taken from common things, or day to day life situations which compare a known truth with an unknown truth. The four gospels in the Bible – Matthew, Mark, Luke and John – contain more than forty (40) parables. In Mark 4, using the Sower and seed as metaphors, Jesus taught the following three parables:
- The sower (verse 3-20)
- The growing seeds (verse 26-29)
- The mustard seed (verse 30-33)
The see which is the word of God (Mark 4:26; Luke 8:11), when planted on “good soil” (receptive hearts (Mark 4:20; Matthew 13:23) by God (the Sower), Bible Teachers, Evangelists and other Emissaries; the life-bearing seed grows steadily and produces grain without human effort (Mark 4:28-29). All of this is accomplished by the unseen word of God which is a work of grace. Only God and God alone makes the seed grow (1 Corinthians 3:6-7).
May these whom God has called and entrusted with the awesome task and responsibility to preach and teach the word of God rightly dividing the word of truth, emulate the example set by Jesus, Head of the Church and the Greatest Preacher and Teacher and Undisputed Story Teller ever in His short earthly ministry, to use parables to make messages that are preached from pulpits and elsewhere to ordinary people simple and plain so that all who hear will understand and see the world more clearly and understand more thoroughly God the Sower who loves them.
This indeed is wise to remember as we desire to share God’s good news of mercy and grace with others. It is impossible for anyone who listen to a story that is being told to resist it.
COVID-19 HAS CHANGED THE WAY PEOPLE LIVE AND INTERACT WITH EACH OTHER
Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) wishes Beersheba Primary School Alumni, Honorary BOSA Beersheba Primary School Alumni and our readers in Jamaica and the Diaspora, are urged to keep up with updates that are issued periodically by various jurisdictions where you live and travel.
Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) also urge everyone to maintain social distanced and observe and adhere to all protocols that have that have been established and given by World Health Organization (WHO), Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Centre For Disease Control (CDC) and Ministry of Health (MOH).
Stay safe and well and remember to lend and give a helping caring hand to the elderly, the poor and needy who are most vulnerable in this Pandemic. As we all continue to invoke Divine Guidance and Deliverance in the crisis, be assured that THIS TOO WILL PASS!!
“A heart that is focused on others will not be consumed with self”
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