Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Word Time Ministries to “Arise and Travail….” in New Year

Word Time Ministries to “Arise and Travail….” in New Year



“Inspiring” Theme Selected for 2011


Kingston, Jamaica, December 22, 2010


By Trevesa DaSilva-Ashman and Michael Schurton

“Arise and Travail for Triumphant Change” has been unanimously selected as the theme for 2011 for the international non-profit Ministry Word Time Ministries of Jamaica.

Word Time Ministries of Jamaica today announced the new theme for the New Year after several entries and a series of votes. From a list of top 5 inspiring themes “Arise and Travail for Triumphant Change” was chosen by senior ministry officials and members.

In making the announcement, the Ministry officials stated that “Arise and Travail for Triumphant Change” is both a momentous and monumental theme selected and one that speaks to our courage and indomitable spirits. The organization, which will be embarking upon its 17th year in Ministry, has therefore declared 2011 to be a year of Victory and a time to Arise.

The new theme was proposed by the ministry’s special advisor and its newest director, Sharon Anderson, Director Designate for the portfolio Sports and Community Relations.

Chairman of the Ministry Michael Schurton J.P. said that he is both challenged and unimaginably inspired by an awesome theme. “This clearly indicates the spiritual fortitude and resilience of the Ministry to continue its mission to make a difference in the lives of others with the living word” Schurton said. Schurton also stated that he was extremely pleased with the high level of participation of members throughout the entire selection and voting process. The submission and voting process took place over the last three months.

“Arise and Travail for Triumphant Change” won 92% of the votes from the delegates. This is a record highest percentage vote for a theme over 17 years of voting. Word Time Ministries has had a long tradition of utilizing a strict voting process in selecting its annual themes. Proposed themes with the lowest votes are eliminated in a series of votes until the final two. The winning theme must command a majority to be accepted as the wining theme. The theme “Arise and Travail for Triumphant Change” was specially selected as a rallying call for the Ministry’s 17th Annual General Meeting and Excellence Awards which is scheduled for Saturday, January 29, 2011 in Kingston, Jamaica starting at 11:00 AM.

Chairman Schurton also expressed his gratitude to Sharon Anderson for selecting an inspiring theme. He also was thankful to all those who participated by submitting their entries and those who took the time to vote
“Thank you so much for your prayerful support in selecting this appropriate theme for the New Year in Ministry with an even greater resolve to glorify God through the Word and service” Schurton said.

In her reaction, Director Designate of Sports and Community Relations, said that she was "truly humbled and thankful to obeying the spirit of the Lord in proposing the theme." She said that the theme was not just selected for the Ministry but for the nation of Jamaica which needs to arise from its decades of decline - spiritually, morally, socially and financially. She also stated that Word Time Ministries was founded on prayer and faith and believed that a ministry committed to travailing in prayer, can make an even greater difference in effecting positive changes in the nation. Anderson further stated that "given the challenges the ministry was faced with during 2010. Anderson further stated that “it’s high time for members to wake up from the past, arise from their slumber, arise from despair, arise to a new call of the Lord and walk in the season of triumphant change."

“Arise and Travail for Triumphant Change” won ahead of “Revived, Renewed for the Challenges of New Frontiers in Ministry” which was proposed by former National President and long standing member, Richard Lawrence. Lawrence is currently making 15 years of service to the ministry.

Themes 1995-2011

2011 “Arise and Travail for Triumphant Change”

2010 Go Forth and Conquer. The Lord Is with You

2009 Renewed by Thy Grace

2008 Be Steadfast and Unmovable…

2007 Restore the Joy for the Word and Service.

2006 Committed to the Call…Fulfilling Purpose

2005 Abiding in the Word…Fulfilling the Call

2004 Abiding in the Word…Abounding in the Work of the Lord

2003 Pursuing the Challenges with Greater Faith

2002 Rise Up & Conquer in the Power of God

2001 Claiming Victory Through Prayer & Faith

2000 Pressing Towards the Goal by Faith

1999 Save the Nation with the Word

1998 Heal Our Land With Thy Word

1997 Standing on the Word… Moving by Faith

1996 Committed to the Word… Moving By Faith

1995 Growing By Faith to Declare His Word





December 22, 2010

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Precious Medals...COMPLETE OLYMPIC MEDALS COLLECTION ENDS NORTH AMERICAN TOUR in Canada

Precious Medals...COMPLETE OLYMPIC MEDALS COLLECTION ENDS NORTH AMERICAN TOUR in Canada

TORONTO, Canada (October 22, 2010) –

Michael Schurton

Winning an Olympic Medal is a rare feat which only the elite athletes around the world have been able to experience. Recently I was privileged to experience an even greater and unbelievable feat. I was able to see firsthand the entire collection of Olympic Medals from 1896.

The entire collection of 140 medals, featuring medals from each and every 47 Winter and Summer Games (dating back to their inaugural events in 1920 and 1896 respectively), was on display at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto, Canada.

This was the first time ever, the complete collection of the Olympic medals arrived in North America. Canada was the country of choice to boost of this unprecedented achievement.

As I viewed the entire collection I felt a great sense of pride and accomplishment. The pride of Canadians as they witness the 2010 Winter Olympics filled my thoughts. Then also the pride of the entire nation of Jamaica overwhelming surged and flooded my thoughts and emotions. I will the first to admit that been a Jamaican born Canadian I could feel and identify with the pride of both nations. Canada hosting the Winter Olympics and Jamaica of course a powerful player on the world stage of track and field and winning several of these Olympics Medals proudly on display on Canadian soil.

One question that came across my mind was what the possible value of such a collection was. The most logical answer to this question would of course be - priceless.

The Olympic Medals
The Olympic Medals embodies strength, determination and courage. The Olympic medal symbolizes the pinnacle of sporting achievements.

Making its North American debut the complete Olympic Medal Collection is on loan from the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, Switzerland.

The exhibit is a North American exclusive and marks the first time the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, Switzerland, has made the collection available for display outside of their museum walls.

As a tribute to the Sporting discipline of Ice Hockey in the Olympic Games, the exhibits includes the Official Olympic Poster from each of the games featuring Ice Hockey, starting with 1920 games in Antwerp, Belgium.

Beaming with pride about the Olympic Medal Collection was Kelly Masse, Director, Corporate and Media Relations. Masse stated that the collection was an unbelievable. “No other collection can be compared to the display of the entire collection of 140 medals, featuring medals from each and every 47 Winter and Summer Games. This is the biggest display for the Hockey Hall of Fame. People from all over the world have journeyed to the Hockey Hall of Fame to see the display.”

Commenting on her thoughts for the 2012 Olympic in London Masse stated that see would love to see the athletes representing Canadian well and hoping for great success of the team. “I like to see the Canadian athletes being successful on the medal podium and also enjoying every moment of the Olympic game in London” Masse said.

“Displaying these medals gives the Hockey Hall of Fame a chance to share the Olympics with our guests in a unique way as momentum and the reliving of the excitement of the 2010 Games in Vancouver,” said Phil Pritchard, Curator, Hockey Hall of Fame. “We are grateful to the Olympic Museum for entrusting us with this incredible collection.”

While the Olympiad can be traced back to the ancient Greeks in 776 B.C., the medal tradition began with the first modern Olympic Games in 1896, where only the top two finishers were recognized - winner received a silver medal and a crown of olive branches, while the second-place finisher was awarded a bronze medal and a crown of laurel.

Over time, the doctrine of three medals – gold, silver, bronze for the top three finishers respectively, took form. The last Olympic gold medals that were made entirely out of gold were awarded in 1912. Today, the gold and silver Olympic medals must be made out of at least 92.5 percent silver, with the gold medal covered in six grams of 24-karat gold.

The Winter Olympic medals have no standard design, hence their unique shapes and non-traditional materials, like those of the 1992 Albertville medals, which are mostly glass. Summer medals, however, almost always depict Nike, winged goddess of victory, on the front in some fashion. Each medal attempts to capture a unique quality depicting the terrain and culture of the host city.

Hockey made its debut at the Olympics as a demonstration sport in 1920. The Winnipeg Falcons, whose roster was comprised of mainly Icelandic-Canadians, were the first Olympic champions of hockey. Since then, hockey has arguably become the centerpiece of the Winter Games. Seven nations have claimed hockey gold. The Canadians were the victors for six of the first seven tournaments.

My personal observation revealed an extremely keen interest in the medals from the Olympic Games held in Germany. These medals sparked a lot of interest given the intrigue surrounding these games. The history that surrounded the games held in Germany held a place of awe among visitors to the exhibition. The Olympic game was held in German in 1936 in Berlin, and Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Munich in 1972 and more recently the summer Olympics Berlin in 2008.

Canada’s role in the Olympic movement has also been outstanding. Canada hosted the Summer Olympic Game in Montreal in 1976, Winter Olympics in Calgary 1988 and then Vancouver hosted the Winter Olympics in 2010.

Canada (CAN) has sent athletes to every Winter Olympic Games and almost every Summer Olympic Games, the exceptions the 1896 Summer Olympics in which it did not compete, and the 1980 Summer Olympics, which it boycotted. Canada has won at least one medal at every Olympics in which it has competed. The Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) is the National Olympic Committee for Canada.

The 2010 Winter Olympics, which Canada hosted in Vancouver, saw Canada set a series of gold medals records in a single Winter Olympics.

Through the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver, Canada has won a total of 405 medals in the Summer and Winter Olympics. Here is the breakdown: Summer Games: Gold: 58 , Silver: 94 , Bronze: 108 Total Summer: 260. Winter Games Gold: 52 , Silver: 45 , Bronze: 48 , Total Winter: 145

Jamaica’s indelible mark on the Olympic Games has long been celebrated throughout the world. Jamaica has won a total of 55 medals in Olympic competition. Since first participating in 1948, Jamaican athletes have won 14 gold, 24 silver and 17 bronze medals, all in Summer Olympic competition. Jamaican athletes have never won a medal in the Winter Olympics.

Jamaica has established and maintained a remarkable sporting record over the past half-century. Since 1948 Jamaicans have won many Olympic gold, silver and bronze medals. Jamaica's track and field athletes are acknowledged to be among the best in the world. In addition, Jamaica has held several world records, and produced world famous cricketers, boxers, footballers, cyclists, weight lifters and wrestlers.

In 1988, Jamaica participated in the Calgary Winter Olympics in the bobsled event, finishing 29th overall in their first Winter Olympics Games. The team also participated in the 1992 Winte Olympics in albertville and finsihed 34th. In 1994, at Lilehammer, the team had its best finish, placing 14th in the four-man event, ahead of Japan which finished 15th. The performance of the Jamaican Bobsled Team - a phenomenon made more remarkable by the fact that Jamaica is a tropical island which has never seen snow - achieved additional fame through the Walt Disney movie "Cool Runnings".

Usain Bolt of Jamaica is the current World and Olympic record holder other 100 meters and 200 meters. Both records we achieved in the Beijing 2008 olymipcs where Jamaica's Shelly-Ann Fraser also one gold in the women's 100 meter final followed by her teammates Kerron Stewart and Sherone Simpson who tied for the Silver medal. Shericka Williams added a silver medal to Jamaica's tally along with the Olympic record gold medal by Melaine Walker's in the 400m hurdles and Veronica Campnbelll-Brown successfully defended her Women's 200m title, crossing the line for gold

In the 1996 Olympic Games, Jamaica won six medals - one gold, three silver and two bronze. In the 400 metres hurdle Deon Hemmings won Jamaica's first Olympic gold medal in a female event and James Beckford won Jamaica's firt long jump medal.

One of our greatest sports personalities and olympians is Merlene Ottey, OD, who received the appoint of Ambassador at Large by the Government in 1993.

Ottey was the first female Jamaican Athlete to have won an olympic medal, and the first female in the English Speaking Caribbean to have won two olympic medals. Merlene has made and broken many track and field records and has won many awards.

Jamaica also performed well in the 1997 Junior Carifta Games, accumulating 61 medals - 28 gold, 20 silver and 13 bronze. The 1998 Carfita Track and Field Games, were held in the Hasley Crawford Stadium, Trinidad and Tobago between April 11 and 13. Jamaica dominated the games and placed first with 31 gold, 21 silver and 17 bronze medals.

Jamaica has also exhibited outstanding performances in football and netball. Jamaica currently holds the number 5 world ranking in netball.

In addition to traditional sports such as horse racing, auto racing, seasonal bird shooting and regattas, there are several `new' sports. These include ballooning and go-kart racing. Deep seas fishing tournaments are held periodically throughout the year an attract international participation.

The complete Olympic Medal Collection is a once in a life time exhibition. This was indeed a rare and remarkable opportunity to view the collection, the symbol of sporting excellence. The collection featured the gold, silver and bronze medals from every summer and winter Olympic Games from 1896 to the last games in 2010, the Winter Olympic held in Vancouver. The collection represented 47 glorious years of Olympic history.

Hockey Hall of Fame

Established in 1943, the Hockey Hall of Fame ("HHOF") is a museum and place of entertainment offering state-of-the-art exhibits, multimedia presentations and educational programming from its premises at Brookfield Place, Toronto, Canada. Its mandate is to recognize and honour the achievements of individuals who bring special distinction to the game of hockey, and to collect, preserve and exhibit objects, images and resource materials connected with the game as it is played in Canada and throughout the world.

COMPLETE OLYMPIC MEDALS COLLECTION ENDS NORTH AMERICAN TOUR AT THE HOCKEY HALL OF FAME

COMPLETE OLYMPIC MEDALS COLLECTION ENDS NORTH AMERICAN TOUR AT THE HOCKEY HALL OF FAME



TORONTO, Canada (October 22, 2010) –


Michael Schurton

Winning an Olympic Medal is a rare feat which only the elite athletes around the world have been able to experience. Recently I was privilege to experience an even unbelievable feat. I was able to see firsthand the entire collection of Olympic Medals from 1896.

The entire collection of 140 medals, featuring medals from each and every 47 Winter and Summer Games (dating back to their inaugural events in 1920 and 1896 respectively), was on display at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto, Canada.

This was the first time ever, the complete collection of the Olympic medals arrived in North America. Canada was the country of choice to boost of this unprecedented achievement.

As I viewed the entire collection I felt a great sense of pride and accomplishment. The pride of Canadians as they witness the 2010 Winter Olympics filled my thoughts. Then also the pride of the entire nation of Jamaica overwhelmingly surged and flooded my thoughts and emotions. I will the first to admit that been a Jamaican born Canadian I could feel and identify with the pride of both nations. Canada hosting the Winter Olympics and Jamaica of course a powerful player on the world stage of track and field and winning several of these Olympics Medals proudly on display on Canadian soil.

One question that came across my mind was what the possible value of such a collection was. The most logical answer to this question would of course be - priceless.

The Olympic Medals
The Olympic Medals embodies strength, determination and courage. The Olympic medal symbolizes the pinnacle of sporting achievements.

Making its North American debut the complete Olympic Medal Collection is on loan from the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, Switzerland.

The exhibit is a North American exclusive and marks the first time the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, Switzerland, has made the collection available for display outside of their museum walls.

As a tribute to the Sporting discipline of Ice Hockey in the Olympic Games, the exhibits includes the Official Olympic Poster from each of the games featuring Ice Hockey, starting with 1920 games in Antwerp, Belgium.

Beaming with pride about the Olympic Medal Collection was Kelly Masse, Director, Corporate and Media Relations. Masse stated that the collection was an unbelievable. “No other collection can be compared to the display of the entire collection of 140 medals, featuring medals from each and every 47 Winter and Summer Games. This is the biggest display for the Hockey Hall of Fame. People from all over the world have journeyed to the Hockey Hall of Fame to see the display.”

Commenting on her thoughts for the 2012 Olympic in London Masse stated that see would love to see the athletes representing Canadian well and hoping for great success of the team. “I like to see the Canadian athletes being successful on the medal podium and also enjoying every moment of the Olympic game in London” Masse said.

“Displaying these medals gives the Hockey Hall of Fame a chance to share the Olympics with our guests in a unique way as momentum and the reliving of the excitement of the 2010 Games in Vancouver,” said Phil Pritchard, Curator, Hockey Hall of Fame. “We are grateful to the Olympic Museum for entrusting us with this incredible collection.”

While the Olympiad can be traced back to the ancient Greeks in 776 B.C., the medal tradition began with the first modern Olympic Games in 1896, where only the top two finishers were recognized - winner received a silver medal and a crown of olive branches, while the second-place finisher was awarded a bronze medal and a crown of laurel.

Over time, the doctrine of three medals – gold, silver, bronze for the top three finishers respectively, took form. The last Olympic gold medals that were made entirely out of gold were awarded in 1912. Today, the gold and silver Olympic medals must be made out of at least 92.5 percent silver, with the gold medal covered in six grams of 24-karat gold.

The Winter Olympic medals have no standard design, hence their unique shapes and non-traditional materials, like those of the 1992 Albertville medals, which are mostly glass. Summer medals, however, almost always depict Nike, winged goddess of victory, on the front in some fashion. Each medal attempts to capture a unique quality depicting the terrain and culture of the host city.

Hockey made its debut at the Olympics as a demonstration sport in 1920. The Winnipeg Falcons, whose roster was comprised of mainly Icelandic-Canadians, were the first Olympic champions of hockey. Since then, hockey has arguably become the centerpiece of the Winter Games. Seven nations have claimed hockey gold. The Canadians were the victors for six of the first seven tournaments.

My personal observation revealed an extremely keen interest in the medals from the Olympic Games held in Germany. These medals sparked a lot of interest given the intrigue surrounding these games. The history that surrounded the games held in Germany held a place of awe among visitors to the exhibition. The Olympic game was held in German in 1936 in Berlin, and Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Munich in 1972 and more recently the summer Olympics Berlin in 2008.

Canada’s role in the Olympic movement has also been outstanding. Canada hosted the Summer Olympic Game in Montreal in 1976, Winter Olympics in Calgary 1988 and then Vancouver hosted the Winter Olympics in 2010.

Canada (CAN) has sent athletes to every Winter Olympic Games and almost every Summer Olympic Games, the exceptions the 1896 Summer Olympics in which it did not compete, and the 1980 Summer Olympics, which it boycotted. Canada has won at least one medal at every Olympics in which it has competed. The Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) is the National Olympic Committee for Canada.

The 2010 Winter Olympics, which Canada hosted in Vancouver, saw Canada set a series of gold medals records in a single Winter Olympics.

Through the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver, Canada has won a total of 405 medals in the Summer and Winter Olympics. Here is the breakdown: Summer Games: Gold: 58 , Silver: 94 , Bronze: 108 Total Summer: 260. Winter Games Gold: 52 , Silver: 45 , Bronze: 48 , Total Winter: 145

Jamaica’s indelible mark on the Olympic Games has long been celebrated throughout the world. Jamaica has won a total of 55 medals in Olympic competition. Since first participating in 1948, Jamaican athletes have won 14 gold, 24 silver and 17 bronze medals, all in Summer Olympic competition. Jamaican athletes have never won a medal in the Winter Olympics.

Jamaica has established and maintained a remarkable sporting record over the past half-century. Since 1948 Jamaicans have won many Olympic gold, silver and bronze medals. Jamaica's track and field athletes are acknowledged to be among the best in the world. In addition, Jamaica has held several world records, and produced world famous cricketers, boxers, footballers, cyclists, weight lifters and wrestlers.

In 1988, Jamaica participated in the Calgary Winter Olympics in the bobsled event, finishing 29th overall in their first Winter Olympics Games. The team also participated in the 1992 Winte Olympics in albertville and finsihed 34th. In 1994, at Lilehammer, the team had its best finish, placing 14th in the four-man event, ahead of Japan which finished 15th. The performance of the Jamaican Bobsled Team - a phenomenon made more remarkable by the fact that Jamaica is a tropical island which has never seen snow - achieved additional fame through the Walt Disney movie "Cool Runnings".

Usain Bolt of Jamaica is the current World and Olympic record holder other 100 meters and 200 meters. Both records we achieved in the Beijing 2008 olymipcs where Jamaica's Shelly-Ann Fraser also one gold in the women's 100 meter final followed by her teammates Kerron Stewart and Sherone Simpson who tied for the Silver medal. Shericka Williams added a silver medal to Jamaica's tally along with the Olympic record gold medal by Melaine Walker's in the 400m hurdles and Veronica Campnbelll-Brown successfully defended her Women's 200m title, crossing the line for gold

In the 1996 Olympic Games, Jamaica won six medals - one gold, three silver and two bronze. In the 400 metres hurdle Deon Hemmings won Jamaica's first Olympic gold medal in a female event and James Beckford won Jamaica's firt long jump medal.

One of our greatest sports personalities and olympians is Merlene Ottey, OD, who received the appoint of Ambassador at Large by the Government in 1993.

Ottey was the first female Jamaican Athlete to have won an olympic medal, and the first female in the English Speaking Caribbean to have won two olympic medals. Merlene has made and broken many track and field records and has won many awards.

Jamaica also performed well in the 1997 Junior Carifta Games, accumulating 61 medals - 28 gold, 20 silver and 13 bronze. The 1998 Carfita Track and Field Games, were held in the Hasley Crawford Stadium, Trinidad and Tobago between April 11 and 13. Jamaica dominated the games and placed first with 31 gold, 21 silver and 17 bronze medals.

Jamaica has also exhibited outstanding performances in football and netball. Jamaica currently holds the number 5 world ranking in netball.

In addition to traditional sports such as horse racing, auto racing, seasonal bird shooting and regattas, there are several `new' sports. These include ballooning and go-kart racing. Deep seas fishing tournaments are held periodically throughout the year an attract international participation.

The complete Olympic Medal Collection is a once in a life time exhibition. This was indeed a rare and remarkable opportunity to view the collection, the symbol of sporting excellence. The collection featured the gold, silver and bronze medals from every summer and winter Olympic Games from 1896 to the last games in 2010, the Winter Olympic held in Vancouver. The collection represented 47 glorious years of Olympic history.

Hockey Hall of Fame

Established in 1943, the Hockey Hall of Fame ("HHOF") is a museum and place of entertainment offering state-of-the-art exhibits, multimedia presentations and educational programming from its premises at Brookfield Place, Toronto, Canada. Its mandate is to recognize and honour the achievements of individuals who bring special distinction to the game of hockey, and to collect, preserve and exhibit objects, images and resource materials connected with the game as it is played in Canada and throughout the world.