Mrs. Iris Henry was recognized for 45 years of service to West Indies Union Conference at the Union’s Annual Staff Dinner and Appreciation Banquet, held on December 22, 2005, at the Mandeville Hotel.
Under the theme “Seasons of Service”, the Union also recognized the work done by those, who were not re-elected to office at its last Union Session held in November, but who will continue in service to the Lord, in other parts of His vineyard. Pastor Patrick Allen thanked and commended the work done by Pastors Claude Brown, Ronnie Henry, Glen Samuels, Errol Thomas and Miss Elsada Murdock during their years of service to the Union.
Co-Master of Ceremonies, Pastor Derek Bignall, demonstrated his creativity by revising and doing a rendition of the song “Thank You for Giving to the Lord” made popular by Ray Boltz. He inserted the names of all who were not re-elected, thanking them for the various areas of service. This of course had fellow staff members in stitches.
The citation to Mrs. Henry lauded her as “Sunshine”, as she is affectionately called, (due to her warm, pleasant disposition), who was born in Winchester, St. Elizabeth, where her winsome personality and genuine concern for others, have distinguished her as nurturer, mentor, pacesetter, community worker and church leader.
She entered denominational employment in 1960 and has served at various levels in many of our institutions. These include, secretary in the Business Office at West Indies College, teacher at the Claremont Seventh-day Adventist Elementary School, head of the preparatory department of Willowdene High School in St. Catherine and later, Principal of the high school.
In 1976, she joined the faculty of West Indies College, where she taught English and later became head of that Department. During that time, she added Communication to the curriculum, gained approval for the associate degree in English, resurrected the English as a Second Language programme, re-established the Literary and Debating Clubs, maintained the Harold Johnston Lecture series and compiled a collection of students’ poems.
In 1993, she was appointed Director of Education at West Indies Union Conference and later, Director of Women’s and Children’s Ministries, which she approached with enthusiasm, sincerity, humility, sacrifice, faithfulness, superb organizational skills, and effective leadership abilities.
In her response, Mrs. Henry said, “I am happy to see this day, when I can retire after 45 years of work for the church. It was a long haul, but it has been fruitful, it had its peaks and valleys, but more peaks than valleys. When there were obstacles, I went around them and I am good at hurdles. The church has been very good to me and I am very grateful, that I was able to serve”, she said.
In spite of her busy schedule, Mrs. Henry still found time to participate in community activities and has served in a number of organizations including the Jamaica Women’s Federation, the Housewives Association, the Jamaica Festival Committee, the Mandeville Chorale, and the United Nations Association of Jamaica.
In closing the citation read to Mrs. Henry, Mrs. Judith Forbes, said “the West Indies Union Conference family and all other persons whose lives you have touched, wish for you continued happiness and mental and physical wholeness, as you enter this new phase of your life. May the peace of God and His unfailing love direct your future endeavours and prepare you for His eternal Kingdom”.
Having retired, Mrs. Henry will spend more time enjoying her hobbies of gardening, music, entertaining, travelling and public speaking.
Pastors: Charles Blythe, Milton Gregory, Enell Hall, Desmond Robinson and Joseph Barrett, along with Mrs. Sandra Gayle and Miss Junie Parchment, Messrs. Hopeton Bansie, Nigel Coke and Donmayne Gyles were welcomed to the family of West Indies Union by Pastor Herman Ming.
Masters of Ceremonies for the banquet were Pastor Derek Bignall and Miss Vivienne Quarrie. The opening prayer was done by Miss Princess Lawes. Mr. Orale Johnson did a song, which added flavour to the evening’s entertainment; while Mr. Audley Scott melted the hearts of those present, as he displayed his musical versatility on keyboard, as well as lending his vocals to the popular duet of Nat King and Natalie Cole’s, “Unforgettable”.
The evening’s proceedings culminated with the singing of “Family of God” by all and prayer by Enell Hall.
