Devon Dick RECENTLY, VICE-PRESIDENT of the Jamaica Baptist Union (JBU) and the leader of the funeral service for the late Rubye Gayle, Reverend Karl Henlin, spoke for many pastors when he reminded the packed congregation at Ocho Rios Baptist Church, St. Ann, that students at the United Theological College referred affectionately to her husband, Reverend Clement Gayle, as 'Papa Gayle' and to her as 'Mama Gayle'. General secretary of the JBU, Reverend Karl Johnson, in a similar vein called her 'a matriarch'.
Mama Rubye Gayle and I share the same birthday in April and often would call each other to exchange pleasantries and I missed that this year. Thousands miss her for other reasons including her class, her candour, her concern for people and her commitment to the Caribbean and Church Councils. This lady of class was the first person who taught me how to mix a cup of tea, how to hold the cup while drinking a cup of tea and how to drink soup and use knife and fork the British way. She believed in the proper way of doing things, including drinking soup from the side of the spoon while eating porridge from the point of the spoon.
TEACHING THE 'FINER THINGS'
These and other things were part of the informal etiquette classes that theological students of the 1980s received from her hands. So while her husband, the lecturer and warden, instilled in us the love for Church history, preaching and punctuality, she taught us the 'finer things' of life. She was a very hospitable person, and niece, Dr. Bevon Morrison, mentioned her famous rock cake which she freely shared with persons who visited her. Mama Rubye Gayle was also known for her candour, as her pastor and President of the JBU, Rev. Jonathan Hemmings, reminded the congregation during his sermon that she was genuine and authentic. With her, what you see is what you get.
Mrs. Rubye Gayle served in a pioneering role at the World Council of Churches but it is as the General Secretary of the Jamaica Council of Churches (JCC) between 1988-1994, a position normally held by an ordained minister, that she left her greatest mark. She did an excellent job and got the various heads to co-operate around the common cause of the church engaging in a prophetic and pastoral ministry. As former president of the JCC, Rev Oliver Daley said, "she organised conferences, debates and symposia, forcing us to think creatively and constructively on matters that affected our common lives as Christians and the lives of the people all over the world".
She also showed that too often pastors engage in administrative work that could be done by laypersons and so release pastors to engage in their primary calling of being pastors of churches. In addition, a fitting tribute to her commitment to Church Councils would be for the JCC and the Jamaica Evangelical Association to join forces and provide a more effective ministry to the people of this country. Both organisations are struggling with inadequate funding and personnel, and pooling of resources could lead to greater impact in reviewing parliamentary legislation, being a voice for the voiceless and also publishing relevant papers and books that affect the lives of Jamaicans.
GENUINE CONCERN
Rubye Gayle had a genuine concern for people and the difficulties they were undergoing. She was also very perceptive about the correct course of action. I remember her telling me that I should resign from a school board because of what some church leaders were saying about me. I asked a Board member if he thought that I should resign because of that reason and he said no and unfortunately I took his advice. She believed that since those persons wanted the position that I should resign and give it to them. At that time, I was more like Father Duilio Testa who was assigned to the town of Trasacco, Italy. The people of that congregation did not want him and the police had to break down the church doors in order for him to start his assignment. Looking back, I should have resigned.
Rubye Gayle was committed to the Caribbean. She was the founding president of the Caribbean Baptist Women's Union. She did not want Jamaica or the Caribbean to be an appendage to the North American Association. She wanted Caribbean women to be a full member of the Baptist World Alliance body.
Mama Rubye Gayle will be missed for her class, candour, concern for others and commitment to the Caribbean and Church Councils. I will also miss Mama Rubye Gayle on Mothers' Day.
The Rev Devon Dick is pastor of the Boulevard Baptist Church.
