Jamaica: More than 100 couples recommit in marriage

More than 100 couples renew their vows at a marriage recommitment service at the Portmore Adventist Church in St. Catherine, Jamaica on on Mar. 16, 2013. Image by Nigel Coke

March 19, 2013 – St. Catherine, Jamaica…Nigel Coke/IAD

More than 100 couples renewed their wedding vows last weekend during a recommitment service at the Portmore Seventh-day Adventist Church in St Catherine, Jamaica.

The event was held “to reaffirm the values and importance of marriage given the high rate of divorce in Jamaica and the reluctance of young people to get married,” according to Pastor Roy Dennis, family ministries director of the church in Central Jamaica.

According to the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN), 1,960 absolute divorces were granted by the Supreme Court for 2011 and more than a half, or 53 per cent, of divorces granted were to persons who had been married between five and 14 years.

The program was part of a weekend convention themed “Bonding Hearts for Eternity, designed to provide family life education and enrichment for young people, couples, church leaders and professionals within the parishes of Manchester, Clarendon and St. Catherine.

Raymond and Clarice Smith who reside in Salt Pond, St. Catherine renewed their vows after 53 years of marriage. They both have been Seventh-day Adventists since 1962.

“It’s a good feeling up to now,” said Clarice with a broad smile. “We need to have more couples committing to each other for long periods of time.”

Clarice admits that without the love of God and forgiveness they would not have reached this far.

“Forgiveness is the most important aspect of our marriage because without it we would not be together now,” explained Clarice. “Couples must forgive each other if they are to have a lasting relationship because problems will arise from time to time, but we need to get past them through love and forgiveness.”

Raymond and Clarice Smith receives a gift from Pastor Roy Dennis, family ministries director of the church in Central Jamaica Conference to celebrate 53 years of marriage during the marriage recommitment service at the Portmore Adventist Church in St. Catherine on Mar. 16, 2013. Image by Nigel Coke.

Raymond and Clarice who are 76 and 70 years old respectively, also believe that daily morning devotion has helped them stay together. They are the parents of three children and plan to stay together for the rest of their lives.
While admiring the milestone of others who are celebrating much more years in marriages, Pastor Howard Grant, children and youth ministries director for the church in Central Jamaica Conference praised God for keeping him and his wife Ava-gaye together for 15 years.

“To be married for 15 years is a wonderful experience,” explained Pastor Grant. “The challenges have been great, but we have always resolved that communication, commitment to our friendship and trust in God is that which will enable us exude love to and for each other. He added that forgiveness is also a key factor to any successful marriage.

The recommitment service saw the couples repeating their vows, signing a commitment card and praying for each other.
Earlier in the service couples were admonished by the speaker Pastor Balvin Braham, associate ministerial director for the church in Inter-America not only to make a vow to each other, but also to renew their commitment to God who is the One who had kept them.

The convention which began Mar. 15 ended on March 17 with a developmental disorder workshop for persons who relate directly with children.