A knighthood at Buckingham Palace, a reception at the Jamaican High Commission in London and visits to the Adventist Camp Meetings of North and South England Conference in Southport and Prestayn made for a very busy weekend for Sir Patrick Allen, Governor-General of Jamaica.

The first Seventh-day Adventist to serve as Governor-General of Jamaica was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II at a ceremony in Buckingham Palace on Friday, 12 June. The same afternoon, the High Commissioner for Jamaica, His Excellency the Honourable Burchell Whiteman, OJ and Mrs Whiteman hosted a reception in honour of Their Excellencies The Most Honourable Sir Patrick Allen, ON, GCMG, Governor-General of Jamaica and The Most Honourable Lady Allen. This was held on the premises of the Jamaican High Commission in London.

Sir Patrick is Jamaica's sixth governor-general since independence in 1962, a role he accepted in February after stepping down as West Indies Union President of Adventist Church where he had served since 2000. He began his pastoral service in the church in 1986, after a decade of teaching in state schools and subsequent studies at Andrews University (Berrien Springs, Michigan/USA).

In his speech at the reception, Sir Patrick recognised that Jamaicans are hurting, economically, financially, socially, mentally, and spirituality, but wanted to emphasize that Jamaica needs the service of all her citizens both at home and abroad and hence he has given himself to serve and to do the best he can to "help to inspire and motivate our nation to go back to those creative energies which I know Jamaicans have because Jamaicans are a resilient set of people." His commitment is very clear and unequivocal. "I have set forth to stir the people of Jamaica, to inspire them to greatness and to seek their recommitment to continue the building process of a great society."

The reception was attended by a wide cross-section of the Jamaican Diaspora from the UK and as well as from the US, including clergy, business people, educators, artists, family members, and Jamaicans from all walks of life. A special musical item, "Pray on for you are who the Lord is looking for," was sung by 11-year-old Lois Moodie, a member of the Brixton Seventh-day Adventist church and a pupil at the St Michael's Anglican School.

Church service on Saturday morning saw Sir Patrick and his wife, Lady Allen at the South England Conference Camp Meeting in Prestatyn, North Wales. He emphasised to a packed congregation that during his time as Governor that he would bring his Christian values to bear stating, "It doesn't matter where you serve, your life has to reflect Jesus Christ". Following a lunch time reception where church leaders and others were able to meet and greet Sir Patrick and Lady Allen they then made the journey further North to greet and fellowship with the members at the North England Conference Camp Meeting in Southport.

'I believe', is his chosen theme for his period in office. He states, "I believe is a motto that can be internalised by everyone, the children in the classroom the adults the entrepreneur - everyone." He believes that this then sets forth an agenda of renewed trust and faith that Jamaicans have what it takes to move the nation from a position of negatives to that position of positives once enjoyed by all Jamaicans and admired by all the world.

The Governor-General said, "I believe, must be etched in every classroom in Jamaica, the screen saver on every computer and cell phone. It must be internalized in the heart of every student, until dreams are born in the hearts of our children as to who they can become and the contribution they can make to the development of their nation."

As both a personal friend and as President of British Union Conference of Adventist Church, Pastor Don McFarlane accompanied Sir Patrick on much of his itinerary. Speaking on Saturday church service Pastor McFarlane reflected the wishes of all Seventh-day Adventists in this country by wishing Sir Patrick well in his positive and important role where his Christian commitment can make an impact in his work as Governor-General. [Editor S Matthias Esson]