The new swarm of Volcano-Tectonic (VT) earthquakes which began at the La Soufrière Volcano at 6:38 am today continued at a fairly constant rate before starting to decline at about 2:00 p.m. Activities declined significantly at 4:00 p.m. although small Volcano-Tectonic earthquakes were still being recorded.
The current swarm of Volcano-Tectonic earthquakes have been located at a depth about 6 km below the summit of the La Soufrière Volcano. This is slightly deeper than those recorded between March 23 and 25, 2021 which were located at depths from 3 to 5 km below the summit. (Earlier estimates of these swarms were revised from 10 km to 3 to 5 km).
The largest Volcano-Tectonic earthquake was recorded at 2:16 pm today, with a magnitude of 3.9. There were nine more Volcano-Tectonic earthquakes in the swarm with magnitudes of 3.0 or more.
Today’s swarm of Volcano-Tectonic earthquakes were also much more intense compared to those which occurred during the period March 23-25 and contained many more small earthquakes, with an average rate of about 50 earthquakes per hour compared with 1.5 per hour in March.
There were several reports of earthquakes being felt today in communities close to the La Soufrière Volcano such as Fancy and Chateaubelair.
The alert level remains at Orange. The National Emergency Management Organisation is reminding the public that no evacuation order or notice has been issued.
The National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO) is also encouraging residents especially persons living in communities close to the volcano to be prepared in the event that it becomes necessary to evacuate at short notice.
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A swarm of volcano-tectonic (VT) earthquakes at La Soufriere volcano began Monday morning, the National Emergency management Organisation (NEMO) says.
NEMO said that several of these earthquakes, which began before 7 a.m., are strong enough to be felt by communities on the flanks of the volcano.
“We have had reports of earthquakes being felt in Fancy and Sandy Bay. These earthquakes are continuing and we will continue to provide updates on any change in activities at the volcano,” NEMO said on Facebook.
This is the second time in just under two weeks that there has been a significant increase in VT earthquakes at La Soufriere, which has been erupting effusively since December 2020.
Last Wednesday, the lead scientist monitoring La Soufriere said the nation was “back into that sort of uncertain period” where it is not clear what the volcano will do next.
Professor Richard Robertson was referring to the elevated period of activity with the VT earthquakes between March 23 and 26.
“So, it means that we are back into that sort of uncertain period where we know it can change rapidly and it could possibly still go explosive or to could speed up in growth or it could stop,” Robertson said.
Robertson was peaking on VC3’s Round Table Talk, a programme on which Director of NEMO, Michelle Forbes urged Vincentians to prepare in the event of an explosive eruption of La Soufriere.
“…we cannot sit and think it is all over because we know we are in it for the long haul,” Forbes said.
“As I keep saying, I believe we are on borrowed time, the volcano has given us enough time to get things in order and we continue to basically prepare, think about the worst-case scenarios, think about the different scenarios, whether it can happen in the night, during the day and the different types of resources we will need for each event.”
La Soufriere last erupted explosively on April 13, 1979.
But the Angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I know that you are here looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is not here–He has risen victoriously! See the place where they laid him” (The Passion Translation).
Easter, Resurrection Sunday is the day when Christians everywhere exclaim with joy and authority, “Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!” It is a day we celebrate and remember what lies at the heart of who we are as followers of Jesus Christ.
If we were to put ourselves as characters into that first Easter story, what would our reaction be to finding an empty tomb and a stranger sitting there, telling us not to worry? Would we think it was a cruel practical joke or something very real, powerful, and life changing?
That is what those first visitors to the tomb had to figure out. Moreover, everyone who has ever heard the story of Jesus must do the same. To believe in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus opens our lives to all the joy, power, freedom, and hope the resurrection has to offer. This is the gospel story. This is life–changing good news!
Will you claim this good news?
Prayer: Dear Jesus, today we claim you, celebrate you, and proclaim you as the risen Lord. Today and every day, fill us with the hope, power, love, and joy your resurrection offers. In your name, we pray. Amen.
Devotional by, Clovis St. Romain
Scripture focus: John Chapter 19
The beloved disciple John, in Chapter 19 of the Gospel of the same name, provides a detailed account of the bloody beating and crucifixion that our Lord endured at the hands of the Roman Soldiers as ordered by Pilate their Governor. Scourging, as executed by the Romans was a nasty process of whipping, using cords engorged with glass and metal shards which ripped the flesh from the body of the victim as the Soldier delivered each lash of the stranded whip and then snapped them back over his head to a position of rest somewhere behind him. So vicious was this exercise that many persons did not survive Roman scourging; yet Jesus did.
We are told that after this beating, Pilate triumphally presented Jesus – now dressed in a purple robe but wearing a crown of thorns on his head with his body evidently disfigured and in great pain – to his Jewish accusers with the words: “Look! The man!” Pilate had hoped that his horrific examination by scourging of the accused would have satisfied his many accusers, among whom were the leadership of the Jewish Sanhedrin Council and their followers; but it did not. They demanded the ultimate punishment – death by crucifixion.
Having been nailed to the cross, having breathed his last and yielded his life to the Father, Jesus died. The Soldiers came later with the intent of breaking the legs of the crucified men so they would die quickly. Finding Jesus already dead, one of the Soldiers stuck his spear into his side; we are told that blood and water poured out. I can only imagine that this gaping wound must have ensured that the very last bits of blood from Jesus’ broken body came pouring out; first in a rush, but then drop by drop!
I am also left to think of how pure, how precious and how powerful this blood – cruelly taken and murderously squandered – was. Pure because it represented the divine blood of God himself; precious because it remitted the sins of the world as it poured out that fateful Passover Friday; and powerful because even after two thousand years, it remains just as capable of cancelling sin, conferring salvation upon sinners and converting any who believes in Him into Saints of the Most-High God!
My Friend, even as the world remembers that first Good Friday, it remains only for me to enquire of you: “Do you know that when He shed His pure, precious, powerful blood that day, Jesus was thinking of you and He was thinking of me? Have you recognized your state as one who has rebelled against God and broken His statutes? Are you aware that your rebellion will be punished by death and eternity in hell? Are you ready to call upon the name of Jesus the Christ to save you from that deserved hellish eternity? Be sure of one thing: if you believe that He shed His blood and died for your rebellion and would acknowledge Him as your Saviour, He will save you, even today; even now!”
Father, please bless the reader, today! Thank you for those who have read this piece today and who are already part of the Kingdom you have established on the earth, through your Son. Hear, Heavenly Father, the prayer of the ones who do not know you and did not know that they must accept the sacrificial death of your Son if they want to have a relationship with you. Father I ask that you will respond to their prayer, save them today and accept them into your eternal kingdom. I ask these things in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Story and photos by Shahein Fitzpatrick
Young missionary expresses his views about his roots in contrast and comparison to the multiple diverse cultures he has experienced.
Jeffery Edwards, from the village of Parham, in Antigua, has been traveling the world with missionary group Island Breeze, whose head office is based at YWAM (Youth With A Mission) Kansas City, USA. The group uses cultural art forms such as dancing, singing and theatre choreographed with themes originated from the Pacific islands of Hawaii, Fiji and New Zealand as tools to present the Gospel.
“We would express the cultural practices of the Pacific Islands as well as their stories and folklore so that our audiences could connect with God in a context relatable to them,” he said.
Edwards told EAC Connect(Official Newsletter of the Evangelical Association of the Caribbean) that he had a deep yearning to live a fulfilled life, deeply immersed in the purposes of God. This inward desire motivated him to pursue God through different training programs that led to him connecting with like-minded Christians and inspired him to consider becoming a missionary.
“This is where the door to missions opened up. It was not in my thoughts in the beginning but I eventually felt driven to go in this direction. Once I had prayed and made up my mind, I decided to press ahead without looking back, holding back or regretting the path I had chosen. I followed my heart and trusted that the Father would lead me in the right direction. For many years as a Christian, I was just going around in circles. I think this stagnation came from familiarity and comfort. I was in a place in my life where I wasn’t growing or developing as an individual to accomplish God’s plans for my life but I had become comfortable with it”, he revealed.
Photo contribution by Jeffery Edwards
Edwards added that the Pacific Islanders are family oriented and their day to day lifestyle reflects oneness with God, self, ministry, family, work and each other. Contrasting this with life in Antigua, he said: “They view everything as one. Their entire lifestyle and everything they do is involved in their ministry practices; everything is connected. The way they eat, sleep, live, breathe and teach are all the same; nothing is ever separated”.
“As opposed to living in Antigua, where we view ministry as only an activity that we do but not as the main thrust of our lives. We would go to church on Sundays, work during the week, then we attend midweek service. We may then end our week by going to youth meetings or another church service. We see ministry as only a list of things to get done on our weekly calendars. This mindset has kept us stuck as a people and we do not experience the fruits of fulfillment nor the excitement that comes from being engaged with God throughout our daily lives. For us everything simply becomes task oriented and routine.”
Jeffrey and his team have travelled to several states throughout the USA and to countries such as South Africa, England, Denmark, Germany, Switzerland and several Caribbean territories including his homeland Antigua, where in November 2019, they were part of an outreach event held on the island called ‘Impact world’.
Edwards stated: “Traveling with the Group for the first four months I had experienced a bit of culture shock. Everything was new and fresh and my brain took a while to process the new, constantly changing environment. In time I adjusted and now I must say, I see my own culture and other Caribbean cultures through totally new lenses.”
The Parham native who has been with Island Breeze since 2019, explained that an important lesson he learned was that every people group had its own unique cultural identity and ways of living that set them apart from the rest of the world. “Every culture, no matter where it is, whether in Antigua, Hawaii, or any other country has some God-given uniqueness to it that may not be found anywhere else in the world,” Jeffrey asserted.
Photo contribution by Jeffery Edwards
“I have noticed that people of African descent like myself, are a people of celebration and festivity. No matter where we are, others are drawn to our energy and vitality of our lives. At any time of the day you will find us singing, dancing, cooking or expressing ourselves in some way. We are a people of expression and vibes! This is who we are! We can’t run from it; it’s a part of our culture and that is literally how God made us”.
He continues, “There is also the gift of the land. In Antigua, people come to our shores to get away from noise and pollution and to be refreshed. That doesn’t happen in many other places but this is always the feedback of those who visit our island”.
Edwards concluded that he has also learned that Antiguans are a people of high standards, excellence, and great insight.
“We observe and we share; we are aware of our environment and the people around us and this is not something that is common in many of the other nations I have visited. We are very insightful and opinionated as a people. If we can use this trait to see good in ourselves and those around us we will experience greater strength, confidence and unity. Yes we are laid back and we are a people of celebration but when it comes to work our expectations are very high. We are a people of vision; we are visionaries, we are leaders and we are a nation filled with strong people waiting to be discovered”.
NATIONAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ORGANISATION (NEMO) MINISTRY OF NATIONAL SECURITY 24th March, 2021 NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Scientists Have Noted a Change in Seismic Activity Associated with the Ongoing Eruption of the La Soufriére Volcano Monitoring scientists at the Belmont Observatory led by scientists from ‘Ihe UWI Seismic Research Centre (SRC) have noted a change in seismic activity associated with the ongoing eruption of the La Soufriére Volcano. Up until 23 March 2021. the seismic activity had been dominated by very small low-frequency events which were associated with the ongoing extrusion of the lava dome. These were almost always only recorded at the seismic station closest to the dome. Starting at approximately 10:30 local time ( 14:30 UTC) on 23 March 2021. the monitoring network recorded a swarm of small low-fiequency seismic events which lasted for about 45 minutes. These events were different from previous activity in that they were also recorded on other stations. These events were probably associated with magma movement beneath the dome, although their depth cannot be determined. ‘Ihis is the first time that such a swarm has been seen Since the seismic network was upgraded in early 2021. Starting at 16:53 local time (20:53 UTC) on 23 March 2021, the monitoring network started recording volcano-tectonic (VT) earthquakes. These earthquakes are normally associated with underground fractures of the rock mass and are commonly generated by magma pushing through an unyielding tock mass. The volcano-tectonic earthquakes were located beneath the volcano, at depths down to 10 km below the summit. The largest of these had a magnitude of 2.6. Some of them have been reported felt by people living in communities close to the volcano such as Fancy Owia and Sandy Bay. At the present time the volcano-tectonic earthquakes continue, with the numbers of events fluctuating. The very-small dome-extrusion events also continue. The National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO) wishes to inform the public that earthquakes associated with the ongoing eruption Of the La Soufriére Volcano continue to occur from time to time and some of the largest ones may be felt. The alert level remains at Orange and no evacuation order or notice has been given. However, NEMO is encouraging residents especially person living in communities close to the volcano (i.e.. the Red and Orange Volcanic Hazard zone). to heighten their preparedness in the event that it becomes necessary to evacuate at short notice. The La Soufriére Volcano continues to be closely monitored by a locally based team consisting of scientists from the Soufriere Monitoring Unit (SMU), The UWI Seismic Research Centre (SRC) and the Montserrat Volcano Observatory (MVO). This team work closely with an extended group based at the SRC (Trinidad) and MVO (Montserrat). The Team Lead at this time is Vincentian Professor Richard Robertson. The monitoring network use a variety of techniques to monitor the volcano that are constantly being improved and upgraded. National Emergency Management Office (NEMO). Montrose. Ministry Of National Security. Air and Sea Port Development Tel:784-456-297ä, Fax: 784-457-1691. Email: nemosvg@gmqil.com or nemosvg@goy.vc, Facebook:
Celebrating International Women's Day on March 8, 2021
International Women’s Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. And it is a great opportunity to highlight the important role of women in the Church.
CSW Parallel Event: Harnessing the Power of the Church to End Domestic Abuse
Hosted by WEA Women’s Commission, the webinar on the intersection of domestic abuse, religious persecution and faith will draw on the expertise of three community level speakers from three continents, to be followed by a guided panel discussion.
The program will also include an innovative pre-recorded drama based on the experience of teenage girls in Nigeria.
The event aims to be a wake-up call to evangelical churches on the seriousness of domestic abuse and gender-based violence, and also show how the research and on-the-ground experience of Christian groups is invaluable in helping government and UN bodies have a more effective impact.
When: March 19, 2021, 9am EDT / 2pm GMT (The event will last for 90 minutes)
Where: Online, via Virtual NGO CSW Forum 65
Register here and log in here to attend the virtual event.
Booklet: A Biblical View of Relationships to End Domestic Abuse
The booklet, A Biblical View of Relationships to End Domestic Abuse, has been published by the WC and CNEDA, a new global Christian network to end domestic abuse. Six women from the WC International Team are part of CNEDA as well as other people drawn from the Church in Community group.
The booklet is an updated and revised edition of a booklet written by WEA women 20 years ago. You can download it here.
Sadly the issue is still relevant for churches today and perhaps even more visible as women are speaking out as they may not have done a generation ago.
The booklet explores what the Bible says about healthy relationships between men and women and gives practical advice on how churches can support women who have suffered abuse and how to deal with perpetrators, both inside and outside the church community.
CNEDA has been set up in response to the rising number of cases of domestic abuse that are occurring across the world as a result of Covid lockdowns – women and children have no escape from threat and violence.
Anyone who is working in the area of domestic abuse on behalf of a church, national alliance or Christian group and wishes to be part of the network, may contact us to stay connected.
A senior clergyman has described as atrocious, disgraceful and alarming a recommendation by the Caribbean Policy Research Institute (CAPRI) that minors be allowed to access an abortion on their own without the consent of a parent.
Bishop Dr. Alvin Bailey, the chairman of the Jamaica Churches Action Uniting Society for Emancipation (CAUSE), said in a statement on Monday that the proposal by CAPRI “must be rejected by all well thinking Jamaicans”.
He added that such a call could be translated to mean that “these persons of high intelligence and outstanding academic achievements are spiritually deprived in advocating abortion as a method of contraceptive.”
In fact, Bishop Bailey said CAPRI’S suggestion has exposed what he said is a moral and ethical crisis that now exists in Jamaica.
“This is an abomination and is contrary to Christian values. To condemn to death our unborn children for the expediency of socio-economic benefits is contemporary barbarism,” he noted.
The research institute put forward its proposal in its European Union-funded report titled: Coming to Terms: The Social Costs of Unequal Access to Safe Abortions, the findings of which were presented last Thursday during a webinar.
According to CAPRI’s report, “The requirement of parental consent or notification may delay young women’s abortion care leading to more risky and costlier late-term abortion procedures, or even cause the young women to resort to illegal or self-induced abortions in a fear of parental reactions.”
It was one of three recommendations made by CAPRI; the others being that parliamentarians be allowed to cast a secret vote on the issue of legalising abortion in order to protect their integrity and that public funding should be provided for those wishing to terminate a pregnancy.
However, the chairman of Jamaica CAUSE said the Christian church considers the CAPRI report – and its insistent support of the legalisation of abortion – to be against all Biblical and moral values, primarily because, he said, it disregards the sanctity of human lives.
“A few misguided individuals, in spite of indisputable Biblical references, choose to blaspheme the Word of God for popularity and recognition,” he noted. However, he said the Christian Church and the general religious community will never sanction what he called a middle-passage type legislation to destroy human lives for socio-economic benefit in a referendum.
Bishop Bailey opined that CAPRI’s position on the matter endorses women mutilating their bodies to kill their unborn children, while risking their lives, under the guise that they were in charge of their own bodies and were safeguarding their well being.
“Let’s face the harsh reality. The views of the pro-abortionists have less to do with liberating women and allowing them the freedom to choose. It is about advancing the global agenda of powerful and influential international agencies, by paying the price in order to gain access to funding for Jamaica.
“It is about a quick fix for the shortage of urgently needed social systems which are put on the back burner because of growing economic challenges. It is about increasing the wealth of doctors who charge large sums for their services,” Bailey said, adding “It is about the ignorance of the dangers and possible death of the pregnant mother, as well as the permanent emotional and psychological damage abortion does to the woman who commits the act and her family.”
He said Jamaica’s legacy cannot be defined by the planned execution of our unborn children as a means of population control in support of pre-determined social construct, political expediency or self-centred ideological objectives of elected individuals and other influencers.
“In the final analysis Jamaicans, under it present leadership, must decisively define its own sovereign moral and ethical identity, then motivate our people, our politics and our socio-economic leaders to support that sovereign purpose,” said Bishop Bailey.
Thank you for registering for On Mission 2021. We are so looking forward to March 10th! We will be communicating about regarding details for connecting the day of the event over the next couple of weeks, so watch your inbox.
Forward this event news to a friend or colleague so they can register today!
This year we are focused on the topic of Innovation in Missions. To add a unique global perspective to this topic we have invited all non-North American speakers to present. They will address the topic of innovation from their global and contextual perspective!
