Welcome to the Port Antonio Circuit

Jamaica District, Methodist Church of the Caribbean and the Americas

Dateline - 1 September, 2011

Another chapter in Merlin’s ministry begins when he steps into the leadership role of the four church Port Antonio Circuit in the Portland Parish. The Circuit churches are the Station Church - Port Antonio, Hope Bay, Bloomfield and Fruitful Vale. According to the latest Annual Conference Records, the circuit has 194 members.

The Port Antonio Church is in the city of Port Antonio, Hope Bay is on the North Coast Highway, across from the sea, Bloomfield is located up in the mountains nearby to Swift River and Fruitful Vale is on the other side of a steep mountain along another branch of the Swift River.

Merlin and Kay have had the opportunity to serve this circuit many times over the last years including taking teams to Bloomfield and Fruitful Vale the last two summers to work on the church buildings and to do ministry at the schools there.

While the circuit does provide housing and a vehicle to every pastor serving, there will be no salary or health insurance provided. In every sense, this appointment is a volunteer position and so we need your continued financial support.

The Manse (Parsonage) sits high above the city on Queen Street at the top of Titchfield Peninsula which once was home to Fort George. The house itself was once part of that military complex, housing troops and storing gun powder in the hollow walls. “Titchfield” still has a Jamaica Defense Force installation, a high school, a catholic church, a couple of old hotels and the Catholic Priest lives next door. Our view to the west is out over one of two natural deep water ports and the famed Errol Flynn Marina.

PAPA’s Ministries’ goal is to strengthen the local church and so this appointment gives Merlin an opportunity to get a first-hand look at the needs of the circuit and the inner workings of the District.

It will be challenging for Merlin to get his “Jamaican Ears” back in tune to understand and to learn more “Patois”, the unofficial language spoken there.

Like much of Jamaica, the Port Antonio area (some 60 miles North East of Kingston) has been hard hit by tremendous economic downturn. Once a bustling Banana port, Fishing port, artist colony, Hollywood elite destination, etc., Port Antonio is tarnished but not beyond revitalization.

Please pray for the Pratt’s and the Congregations they will serve, that together, they might honor and glorify God.

Methodist Church of the Caribbean and the Americas

Bloomfield Methodist Church

Fruitful Vale Methodist Church

Hope Bay Methodist Church

Station Church, Port Antonio