Acting board chair, Sir. Bobby Francis, acting president, Mr.

T’Jean Shelly, staff advisor

Ms. Dradia Clarke, other delegates and a large the board of directors a pleasant

afternoon is extended to you all. “A little more persistence, I little more effort and what

seemed hopeless failure may turn to glorious success.” This apt statement of Elbert

Hubbard (an American writer, artist and philosopher born this very day, June 19th, 1856

in Bloomington, Illinois) gives a fair synopsis of how the Religious Committee of the

York Castle High Student's Council of 2018-2019 has made it this far. This report will

explicate our identity and roll, achievements, those unfortunately not accomplished and

our response to that which was committed to us.

Firstly, let me elucidate who this committee is and what we do for the sake of those

who disremember. This committee, headed by yours truly, and Mr. Matthew Thomas

deals with all religious and socio-religious affairs of the students along with providing

spiritual, psychological and emotional assistance to the student populous. Or impact is

predominantly felt through the inevitable collaboration with Inter-School Christian

Fellowship club of York Castle High were, as could be guessed, most execution takes

place. Simply out when you this the religious committee religious affairs think ISCF.

Without a doubt, the religious committee has faced formidable challenges and can

frankly say “It was not a comfy year,” however by the grace of God we have made it

thus far and are grateful. Despite the ups and downs I stand it honestly report

achievement, success and fulfillment in the following areas:

 Immediacy and response to prayer requests

 Worthwhile contribution to the York Castle High Benevolence

  Quality collaborations with the Jamaica Broilers, more commonly known as Best

Dressed Chicken, to provide opportunity for students to come to know Christ.

 Salutary counselling for spiritual and psychological needs.

On the other hand, I can hereby declare, varied sentiments, that the religious

committee has fallen short in the followings spheres:

 Immediacy to report formulation

 Purposive outreach to assist persons with various spiritual, psychological and

emotional problems

 Collaboration with school activities and projects to strengthen our presence,

availability and applicability.

I must comment, whether this statement was taken by the view of an optimist or in the

perspective of the pessimist, we can all agree that failures present themselves to

indoctrinate morals which if then taken into consideration will prevent further

ineffectualities in the future.

Thirdly, as it regards that which was committed to us i.e. to propose I need event for

events in which purses of virus religious but grounds could express their choice of

worship.

As a Christian committee we highlighted the fact that we are firstly a Christian based

institution and the practices of other religious activity by persons of a different liturgical

sect would be unacceptable. At that point we were dubious of how to give a settled

solution, interestingly the idea of a concert was suggested, yes thought upon, but not

approved by the committee. Therefore Mr. Chair, we being (religiously) perfectly

indifferent but rather solicitous have decided that we cannot accommodate the practice

of other religious group to an extent, meaning can we stop them from praying in their

minds or even whispering a prayer to whom they consider there supreme being(s).

What we can do is to prevent them from carrying idols to school and forcing others

students to join them in worship e.t.c. Being a Christian based school we are almost

sure the School's Board will not give approval to any such proposal. Additionally, I am

sure we do not want any kind of intense spiritual warfare on our campus which may lead

to not only spiritual but also psychological and emotional trauma, dismissal of classes

e.t.c.

We say let’s us simply remind all non-Christian students to reserve all their religious

practices for anywhere else save York Castle High school. Whether through concert or

any other event, Council we must not forget will not be able to adjust to all the requests

of students not insinuating that we do not serve but should we accommodate the

practice if various religions in our school through Whatever means? I give the same

response as to decriminalize obeah in Jamaica.

I know I have spent much time orating but let me simply perorate by saying a year

which seem more like ‘ayer' the spanish equivalent for yesterday has been a great one

with numerous collaborations, team work and cooperation and discipline, this being one

of the best councils of all time has proven itself. As the majority of us retire form our

posts and a few matriculate to offices of greater responsibility I would like to leave the

you the Word of the Lord taken from St. Matthew 4 vs 7 & 10 which reads “Thou shalt

not make tempt LORD that GOD and thou shalt worship the LORD that GOD and him

only shalt thou serve.” Let us therefore not forget that in everything we do every
decision we make we must honour the LORD and allow him to direct our path. God

bless you all. I thank you!!