Last week we carried a feature on The Very Reverend Canon Charles Manderson who has celebrated 21 years serving the St Mary Parish Church and the wider community of St Mary. Below we carry tributes from people approached by the Times to give their few of the priest who has impacted the spiritual growth and development of many members of the congregation at the St Mary Parish Church. – The Editor
Several people who spoke to the North Coast Times hailed him for his role in helping them develop a closer relationship with God and his passion for church and community development. Here are some of the views:
Olivene Reid—lay reader at the St. Elizabeth Mission in Mason Hall, St. Mary
“He (Canon Charles Manderson) is an all rounder; he is a father, friend and confidant and everything that is good. He is truly a man of God. We have been truly blessed to have him serving for all these years. He is really anointed by God and we have learned so much from him because he is an excellent teacher. I hope that God continues to bless and keep him on his journey.”
Daisy Thompson – leader of the Warner Street Fellowship Group of the St Mary Parish Church
“(Canon Manderson) He has been a tower of strength to me and my family. He has instilled so many values and attitudes in my family. For me personally, he has helped me to reach that level of spirituality in my life…. He is just a man that words cannot explain. Going forward, I just wish for God to strengthen him and give him the perseverance to carry on.”
Estriana Thompson – member of the mothers’ union of the St Mary Parish Church
“Canon Charles is my son and his mother put him into my hands from he came to this parish. He is the person that has made me to be who I am spiritually. And this has helped me to bring others to know God. I pray that God continues to bless him, because Canon Charles is a very important minister to the St Mary Parish Church and the community.”
Carlos Walker – member of the brotherhood of the St Mary Parish Church
“Canon Charles Manderson came to this church when I was a returning resident. He has inspired me greatly to become a member of several committees of the church. I wish him all the best. Canon Charles Manderson has inspired us and taken the church to different levels. We are grateful for that.”
Saint Patrick Grandison – member representing the youth population of the St Mary Parish Church
“Personally, Canon Manderson is more than a pastor and a person who you can talk to about simple things. He goes beyond the role of a pastor and is like a father. He helped me especially in going to college. For us the young people, he is an all-rounder who has not only helped us in church life and spiritually, but also educationally and ensures that the youth have additional programmes. I hope he could be added with even 50 or 70 more years to his life. He is really a good man and I hope he continues to inspire.”
