NEWSDAY
Thursday 03rd April 2003
A fair assessment of war
THE EDITOR: I just
read Pastor Winston Cuffie’s commentary, Anti-War Hypocrisy.
I spent time in Trinidad a few years ago aboard my sailboat
and since then have always kept in contact by reading
Newsday online every day. I also read other newspapers from
around the world via computer. Pastor Cuffie’s assessment of
the US involvement in Iraq is the fairest and most rational
one I have seen. Most commentaries support bombing the
country back into the stone age or in demanding total
withdrawal in order to allow Saddam to continue his killing
and terrorism on his own people. I am neither a war monger
nor a pacifist but, like Pastor Cuffie, there comes a time
when certain actions must be taken in order to protect the
long-term well being of a people. Thank you sir, for your
speaking out on this important subject.
MIKE ROSE
Bainbridge Island
Washington
USA
PS Love your paper!
Newsday
Saturday 28th June 2003
Sound sentiments by
Pastor Cuffie
THE EDITOR: I wish to record my agreement with the
sentiments expressed by your writer, Pastor Dr Winston Cuffie,
on “The Role of Religion in Our Schools” (21-6-03). In that
particular column, Pastor Cuffie recounted excerpts of an
address on the said theme, which he had delivered to school
principals and supervisors, in response to an invitation from
the Education Ministry.
Having spent a number of years in the United Kingdom and worked
on several educational and social programmes involving a few
other “developing” countries, it is my deep conviction that
religion does have a vital role to play (as the Pastor advanced)
in the essential character development of a child. I’ve always
found it rather difficult to resonate with views that insist on
the contrary. My convictions have cost me a few friends along
the way, but I remain unconvinced otherwise. The US provides an
awful quota of evidence depicting the regrettable consequences
of instigating, among children, a contemptuous attitude towards
God. Pastor Cuffie did present a beautifully structured case of
the value of religion in our institutes of learning. He
addressed the subject from a practical, but quite profound
basis, producing compelling insights on realities of the impact
of religion on human behaviour and personality development.
There is hardly any reasonable way that one can challenge the
soundness of his argument, as to the invaluable contribution of
religion in dealing with critical issues such as anger
management, self-esteem, self-discipline, conflict resolution,
coping skills, identity crisis and teen depression. We witness
the difference everyday in terms of what obtains in the
disciplinary culture in most denominational schools, as opposed
to many of the non-denominational institutions. I must also
commend your Pentecostal writer for his very statesmanlike
acknowledgment of the valuable input of all religions “in
fostering a culture of peace” and “fashioning a sound value
system” in the schools.
WITNEY
PARSLEY (Mrs)
San Fernando
Newsday Saturday
05th July 2003
Christ Castle
visit changed my life
THE EDITOR: Before last Sunday (June 29) spiritual
things were very low on my list of priorities. But a visit
to the Christ Castle Church of Miracle Ministries in Chase
Village, Chaguanas, on that date dramatically changed my
order of priorities.
A week before my visit to the church, I was reading your
newspaper (I just love it! Keep up your factual style of
reporting) at my desk in the office. I am an administrative
manager. As I looked at the reports on the crime situation
and the depth of social and moral decline in our country, I
calmly remarked to a colleague standing next to my desk,
“This place really need God, yes”. A bit to my amazement,
she just shot back, “You mean you need God in your life.” I
did not respond at the moment but over the next few days,
those words lingered in my mind. I had read “Pentecostal
Perspective” on some occasions and had looked at Pastor
Cuffie on television. Although I was not into church, I felt
basically impressed with his work. I called up two of my
in-laws and we visited Christ Castle on Sunday.
At first sight, the splendour of the facility was
breathtaking — absolutely gorgeous. It’s truly a great model
of what a people of vision can accomplish. The large
auditorium was packed with worshippers. There was a heavenly
feeling. The fact that I could get “lost in the crowd” made
me somewhat comfortable. I didn’t know the songs, but I love
music so I enjoyed the singing around me. Pastor Cuffie came
out to preach. I was expecting some kind of sermon on hell,
fire and brimstone but his topic was “Miracle in the Mind.”
I was literally amazed at how he dealt with the power of the
mind in influencing human behaviour and faith, from biblical
and psychological angles. It was as though he had read my
life and was communicating directly to me. I was also taken
by the kind of personal attention the pastor gave to the
large number of people in the “prayer line” as we made our
way to have his blessings. To make a long story short, my
life was completely changed that day. God is real and we all
need Him.
KELLY DE VIGNES
Curepe
Sunday 18th July 2004
Excellence at Pentecostal High School
THE EDITOR: Last Saturday, I
accompanied my 12-year-old cousin to a concert labelled “An
Evening of Love and Harmony,” put on by the students of the
Miracle Ministries Pentecostal High School. My cousin had
performed exceedingly well in her SEA exams and had got her
first choice — the said school — which is one of the newer
prestige schools. Our dear little lady had informed everyone
in the family that she wanted to attend this particular
concert of “my new school” as the “gift” for her proud
success.
I had heard and read of the three-year-old Miracle
Ministries Pentecostal School’s remarkable achievements in
academics, sports and the arts, but the magnificent
programme on that afternoon exceeded my expectations. I had
secretly thought that some people were perhaps exaggerating
when they spoke of the outstanding talents and quality of
the students and staff of the school, but my quiet
assumptions were so wrong. I saw superb talent in music,
song, dance, drama and tremendous creativity. The school had
its complete steel band with trained, focused students
playing with the skill of champions. There were elaborate
Indian, African and multi-cultural presentations, complete
with attractive outfits and costumes to suit the occasion.
Many of the students were evidently multi-gifted, as they
could be seen involved in various acts and items in the
programme.
I particularly admired the high level of discipline and
organisation among the students, teachers and other
organisers. I sat there thinking, “If only some of the
organisers of those ‘big shows’ could see this splendid
flow.” No wonder the massive opera theatre-type Christ
Castle auditorium was packed to capacity with people
standing on the balconies, taking in the three-hour show.
Congrats, Rev Dr Winston Cuffie, and all the folks at
Miracle Ministries Pentecostal High. Keep up your great
work.
STEPHENSON O’NEIL
Chaguanas
Newsday
Wednesday 14th December 2005
Model teacher feature, a great inspiration to all
THE EDITOR: I was quite delighted to read your
feature article (dated 7/12/05) on the model teacher, Mrs
Joy Griffith, who currently teaches at the Miracle
Ministries Pentecostal High School.
Obviously, the article would have been published in the
context of your newspaper’s policy of balanced reporting,
giving due prominence to positives.
This is beautiful. It was very reassuring to see that we
still have teachers in the system who are willing to go way
beyond the call of duty and the dollars-and-cents
limitations.
Mrs Griffith’s perspective on teaching as "a divine call"
has led her to be absent from duty a mere one day per year,
for the past four years. Further, the model teacher turns an
eight-hour day (really six and a half for high school
teachers) into a twelve-hour work day.
She must be a tremendous asset in her capacity as Vice
Principal, and an invaluable asset to her colleagues on her
staff.
Via the good services of your paper, Griffith’s noble
example can now serve as a great inspiration to all teachers
— and aspiring ones — in TT and beyond. Keep up your worthy
work.
GLORIA SARRAN
Retired teacher
Princes Town
