Palmer
THE Apostolic fraternity recently expressed honour and appreciation for the life and work of Dr. Etheline Palmer, National Director and former principal of the Jamaica Apostolic Bible Institute (JABI). The 69-year-old Dr. Palmer glowed in the presence of her family, friends and well-wishers from across the island, who absorbed the warmth that exuded from her.
The colourful service of appreciation took place on April 10, at the Pentecostal Gospel Temple, 111 Windward Road in Kingston and was organised by the Jamaica Pentecostal Union (Apostolic) (JPUA) and the Bible School, and co-ordinated by Dr. Elaine McCarthy, principal of the Kingston campus. Bishops, ministers, present and past students of JABI gave glowing tributes to the former principal for the impact she has had on their ministries and lives. Dr. Etheline Palmer was hailed as a teacher, preacher, mother, choir director, counsellor, leader and woman of prayer.
Daughter of Robert and Lena Robinson, Etheline is the fourth of five children - two boys and three girls - of which she and her sister, Bishop Dr. Carmen Stewart, Custos of St. Andrew, are the only two surviving siblings.
Her father was a civil servant who was responsible for land settlements while her mother was a music teacher by profession. It was her mother's influence that led to Dr. Palmer's outstanding career in teaching and music. She holds a doctorate in Christian Education from the International University of Biblical Studies, in the United States; is a graduate of Shortwood Teachers' College and the University of the West Indies, Mona; and has served at Moneague Teachers' College for 18 years, during which time she occupied the positions of vice principal and acting principal.
Highlighting Dr. Palmer as a preacher, Elder Frederick Thompson, vice chairman of the JPU(A) said that she had the "gift of anointed preaching" and applauded her as an "erudite expositor" of the word, with the ability to reach everyone at all levels. He said her ministry has extended throughout the length and breadth of Jamaica as well as European countries - Austria, Romania, Hungary and other countries.
Minister Everard Brown, Minister of Music at Bethel United Apostolic, South Camp Road, saluted Dr. Palmer as one of Jamaica's outstanding daughters while speaking of her contribution to the field of music. He said that in her resides the "ability to impart and impact". Dr. Palmer who was awarded 'Student of the Year' at the Jamaica School of Music, has aided the development of church choirs around the island. Over the years, Dr. Palmer has contributed immensely to prayer retreats. "She bears in her body the marks of a prayer warrior," said missionary Vivienne Wittock of Bethel United Apostolic, Lionel Town. Dr. Palmer knows the very language of prayer and persons close to her know what she means when she utters, "I just got an urge".
Dr. Palmer has toiled and waited for the true birth of the will of God, she said. Missionary Wittock concluded the line-up of tributes saying of Dr. Palmer, "She knows no embarrassment in her passion for praying for your needs. She will scream and moan."
Among the church leaders who spoke of Dr. Palmer's contribution to the Apostolic arena, were Bishop Ira D. Thompson, Island Bishop of Bethel United Apostolic - who praised her for her work with JABI, an institution that began at Bethel; Bishop Everton Thomas, Chairman of the JPU(A) and Pastor of Emanuel Apostolic, Portmore, who expressed his pride in Dr. Palmer as a woman who had excelled both in Biblical and secular studies; Pastor Joslyn Beckford, from Christ Temple Apostolic in Central Village, Spanish Town, who traced his 50-year association with her; and Pastor Zedekiah Mitchell, General Secretary of the United Pentecostal Church (UPC) of Jamaica, who along with Dr. Palmer, established JABI.
Dr Palmer is a fully ordained minister of the UPC since 1970 and has served as National Youth President and Central District Missions Co-ordinator. Her husband of 30 years, Anthony, who died in 1987, was the Pastor of Bamboo United Pentecostal Church in St Ann.
Co-author with Dr. Palmer of "The Apostolic Handbook of 100 Commonly asked Questions and Answers", Dr. Lyndon Johnson, delivered the message based on his theme "When life begins at 80".
He told her that now is the time for "new adventures", although she is not yet 80 years old as Joshua was when he took on new adventures. He left a word with those present in light of Dr. Palmer's achievements. "You can't avoid people being prejudiced against you. However, destroy prejudice by excellence," Dr. Johnson concluded. Dr. Palmer was awarded the Prime Minister's medal of appreciation for services in education in 1983.
