AS PART of its 250th anniversary celebrations in Jamaica, the local Moravian Church plans to increase its witness in urban Jamaica, while appealing for sustained developments in rural communities.
The appeal has come from Dr. Livingstone Thompson, president of the executive board of elders in the Moravian Church in Jamaica. He was addressing a recent press briefing at Bethlehem Teachers' College in Malvern, St. Elizabeth, to announce activities to mark the Moravian Church's milestone.
ADDRESS RURAL POVERTY
According to Dr. Thompson, the increasing incidents of crime in rural townships pointed to the need to address the issue of rural poverty, which remains a significant factor in the development of urban overcrowding and urban crime.
"The Moravian Church recognises that the problems of urban Jamaica will not go away readily," he said, and acknowledged that the witness of the Moravian Church has been predominantly rural during its local existence.
"It is for this reason that one of the goals of the 250th celebrations is to strengthen our witness in urban areas."
MULTI-PURPOSE FACILITY
To this end, Dr. Thompson stated that there will be a construction of a multi-purpose facility in Rosemount, Montego Bay.
The facility is expected to house a basic school, a vocational centre, and a sanctuary. The multi-purpose building is to cost $24 million.
"At Rosemount, we are planning to offer vocational training in information technology and tourism, as well as early childhood education," he added.
As part of anniversary celebration activities, the Moravian Church will host an opening service on Sunday, December 12 at Bethlehem Moravian Church in St. Elizabeth, followed by the launch of its anniversary stamps on Tuesday, December 14.
