A life-affirming “degrowth” is possible, economists and theologians find

procured last year to enhance The United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands (UCJCI)’s worship, advocacy, youth engagement and more. Thus, when the Jamaican government appealed to organisations to be part of their ISOAR (I Strive to Overcome with Resilience) child initiative where adults were encouraged to protect children’s rights, reaffirm their worth and help them to soar, UCJCI recognised the opportunity to collaborate. Also as part of living out the Synod theme “Rooted, Resilient, Responding in H.O.P.E”, children were filmed in various locations talking about their dreams and what “soaring” meant to them personally. They expressed their hopes of eradicating social ills in Jamaica, and responded to hypothetical questions such as “what would you do if you were Prime Minister for a day? What would you change about Jamaica?”

Besides this, the UCJCI has worked on a Christmas production, among other videos on its YouTube channel to develop and strengthen its house church liturgy.

EUROPE The Presbyterian Church of Wales (PCW)’s aid for two hospitals in North East India

A few months ago, The Presbyterian Church of Wales (PCW) launched the COVID-19 India Appeal to assist two hospitals in the Khasi Hills in North East India - Dr H. Gordon Roberts Hospital in Shillong, and Norman Tunnel Hospital in Jowai. Their goal to raise £30,000 to purchase equipment to treat many infected patients was massively successful. They managed to raise more than twice the targeted amount for both hospitals.

“More importantly, the needed equipment has arrived and is proving to be of great help to staff and patients. It is our hope to see the prevention of the spread of the infection in India, and we as a Church, will continue to pray for the situation there,” said Rev Gwenda Richards who was instrumental in this Appeal.

Dr H. Gordon Roberts Hospital, Shillong names Nursing Block after PCW

The Dr H. Gordon Roberts hospital in Shillong was named after its founder, missionary and surgeon Dr. Hughes Gordon Roberts in 1922. Also known as the Khasi Hills Welsh Mission Hospital, it began as a 90-bedder hospital served by PCW missionary doctors and nurses. His successor Dr R.A Hughes later introduced the latest operating techniques and anesthetic medicine, and started the first blood bank in Shillong. For many years, it was one of the few institutions in northeast India in which major surgery could be performed.

The hospital’s chief medical officer visited PCW’s General Assembly in 2014, and described plans to celebrate the hospital’s centenary by adding to existing buildings, including