"It is high time for the Church to wake up out of its sleep," was Cuff's message, which highlighted Sunday's dedication service for the Jamaica Information Service's (JIS) Corporate and Operating Plans at the Bethel United Church, South Camp Road, Kingston.

Prayers for success

The service offered prayers for the success of the plans which provide a strategic framework for the agency for the period 2009-2012. They also represent the latest thinking on the future direction of the JIS, including strategic business priorities for each of its department and division.

Delivering the sermon, Cuff questioned whether, like the JIS, the Church also has a mandate and a strategic plan for dealing with the current challenges.

She said that as the CEO of the Church, Jesus Christ had given a mandate which included "to preach good tidings unto the meek, bind up the broken-hearted, proclaim liberty, open up the prisons with them that are bound and comfort all that mourn".

"If the Church neglects the mandate of God, if we do not operate according to his strategic plan, it can't be business as usual," she cautioned.

'Very sad state'

She said the country has reached a "very sad state" when a five-year-old can take a gun to school to hurt another five-year-old, over a little girl, and questioned the militancy of the Church in helping the nation to overcome this violent trend.

Other participants in the service included chairman of the JIS Advisory Board, Neville James, who read the message from the Minister responsible for Information, Daryl Vaz; and CEO of the agency, Donna-Marie Rowe. The service was conducted by Bishop John K. Hewitt, pastor of the church.