On Wednesday, May 13, the Reverend Dr Hyacinth Boothe, after 53 years of service in Christian ministry, brought the curtains down on her vocation by delivering her final sermon at the valedictory service for the graduates of United Theological College of the West Indies at the University Chapel by challenging the congregants to remember the poor.

Dr Hyacinth Boothe was the first female within the Methodist church to be ordained to the full-time Christian ministry. Dr Boothe did not have an easy Christian ministry. She had to battle prejudice within the church. It could be said of her that 'she lived simply so that others could simply live'.

Therefore, it was not surprising that her challenge to the packed chapel of denominational heads, faculty, graduates, their family members and well-wishers was to "remember the poor".

It is not often that one hears from the pulpit, a sermon on remembering the poor. It is not a favourite topic for televangelists, whether local or foreign. Therefore, it was refreshing that outstanding graduates such as Judith Johnson, the most-outstanding student; Stacey Lalor and Nevin Lewis, the valedictorians; Prince Taylor-Younge from Sierra Leone; Fursan Zu'mot from Jordan and the others of the Class of 2009 who made up the 23 graduates heard such a message.

Persons who are poor are too often perceived as lazy and are, therefore, disrespected. The worldly system is designed to favour rich people over the less fortunate and underprivileged. Dr Boothe claimed that the Rastafarian movement provided one of the best critiques of the Babylonian system of the death trap of poverty.

Equal value

Indeed, the church needs, again, to remember that persons who are poor were made in the image of God and that they are of equal value and have intrinsic worth. They are to be shown respect. They ought to be the focus of the church's ministry - they who are poverty stricken and who are dependent on God. Jesus, borrowing the words of the prophet Isaiah, said he came to proclaim good news to the poor (Luke 4:16). And Dr Boothe did proclaim good news to the poor. Persons who are homeless or hungry would have had their hearts gladden. Those who work hard and long hours and will not get a 'Shearer' at the end of the week would be happy. The security guards who risk their lives; those who engage in manual work and menial tasks but do not get a reasonable or livable wage would have been happy that there is a prophetess who spoke on their behalf. If these graduates and members of the audience took the message seriously, then more help is on the way. A reversal of the world order is a distinct possibility.

Tax burden

The implication of implementing the message is that the church's mission and budgeting will be different. It means that the nation's 2009-2010 Budget would have to be recast so that the tax burden would not disproportionately be on the backs of those who can least afford it. It means that we will focus more on those who will fall below the poverty line and a safety net. We will visit persons who are poor and invite them to our homes and functions.

Dr Boothe did have a final hard saying for the congregation, that is, that they should become poor. That seems too much. Pastors have moved away from their churches that are in impoverished areas and politicians do not live in their constituencies because of the poverty and crime.

So, like the rich, young ruler, we find it difficult to sell all and give to the poor and become poor. But at least, let us remember the poor, even as we hail workers in the upcoming Labour Day celebrations.

Devon Dick is pastor of the Boulevard Baptist Church and author of 'Rebellion to Riot: the Church in Nation Building'. Feedback may be sent to columns@gleanerjm.com.