Custos of Kingston, Canon Weeville Gordon, right, gets a hug from Lord Bishop of the Anglican Church of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, Rev. Dr. Alfred Reid, at a banquet on Friday to recognise Canon Gordon at his retirement. -Winston Sill photoTHERE WAS a bittersweet feeling on Friday night as Custos of Kingston, Canon Weeville Gordon faced members of the St. Matthews Church congregation for the last time as its official rector.
Canon Gordon, who has often served as Deputy Governor-General, retires from his post of rector at St. Matthews Anglican Church in Allman Town, a position he held for 40 years, and from the Diocese of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands after 50 years of service.
There were very few empty chairs in the Pegasus Hotel's Grand Jamaica Suite in New Kingston. A few congregation members even brought out tissue to dab at tear-stained eyes as he gave his thanks for the help and support that he received over the 40 years he spent at the church and ministering to persons in the inner-city community in Kingston.
A wide smile lit up his face as Canon Gordon received a pleasant shock when his youngest daughter, Flavia Gunter, came from the United States to surprise him.
She was not alone. For nearly four hours, the mood remained jovial and reminiscent as friends and colleagues, some of whom came from overseas, paid tribute to Canon Gordon. Among them were Governor-General, Sir Howard Cooke and Lady Cooke, who gathered for the banquet in Canon Gordon's honour.
"You have been all things to all men. You have been a shepherd. We will remember you," said Canon Dr. Gervaise Clarke, who came from New Jersey in the United States to honour Canon Gordon. He said that Canon Gordon has left a mark which will stand the test of time and showed that persons did not have to destroy the work of others to build themselves. He added that Canon Gordon also showed true generosity of spirit by often ministering to people who others have forgotten.
"As you walk away into the sunset, we know that you will not rest...We know that God has used you mightily and tonight we thank God for your service," Canon Clarke said.
For his part, Lord Bishop, Rev. Dr. Alfred Reid hailed Canon Gordon for leading the church through "its most radical period change", crediting him with the revival of the denomination in the Cayman Islands. He was proud that Canon Gordon not only adapted easily despite the changes over the 40 years but used his ministry to improve the lives of his fellowmen.
"From Westmoreland to Kingston and even beyond our shores, the Rev, Canon Weeville Gordon has been a pathfinder for truth, high moral standards, healthy and proper societal norms as well as tangible ways of helping those in need," said Information Minister, Burchell Whiteman, who read a tribute from Prime Minister P.J. Patterson. "Whether as rector, social worker, school board chairman, member of community and civic organisations, he has played a major part in positively weaving the fabric of a wholesome society."
Described as a "dynamic priest with a magnanimous and indomitable spirit," in a citation presented to him, Canon Gordon, aided by his wife Ellonia, was credited with getting scholarships so over 100 inner-city students could go to tertiary institutions.
For his part, Canon Gordon said he was humbled and warmed by his congregation's honour.
"Thank you for the love and support which you have given me over the years, I could not have done it alone. It is because of your support, because of your help," he said, to the enraptured audience, "When I die, St. Matthews and Allman Town will be found written on my heart," he added, paraphrasing a statement made famous by Mary, Queen of Scots, on the loss of Calais to the French centuries ago.
