BY GEORGE HENRY, STAR Writer

Left to right; Grandmother Yvonne Bennett, mother Stacy-Ann, a family friend holding Alexia, and father Alex, all standing before the altar at the Sanguinetti New Testament Church of God, at the dedication of little Alexia on July 2. - George Henry

spalding, clarendon:

As parents continue the tradition of taking their children to church to be dedicated to the Lord at an early age, Mrs. Stacy-Ann Pusey and her husband Alex made sure they did not depart from tradition when they brought their daughter Alexia Dedranae to be dedicated to God on July 2.

Reverend Samuel Smith, a new minister from the Bethel Bible College in Mandeville presided over the ceremony.

In front of worshippers at the Sanguinetti New testament Church of God in Clarendon, Alexia Pusey was offered up to God. The parents were joined by grandmother Yvonne Bennett who gave the parents support. They listened attentively to Reverend Smith as he spoke.

"Children are given to parents to be brought up in the right and proper way in the sight of God", said Reverend Smith.

He said that babies are innocent and are not aware of what is happening around them. He added that parents should assist them to learn and to develop into the individuals God wants them to be.

Reverend Smith in calling on parents to carry out their spiritual obligations before God, said they needed to observe and teach Godly principles to their children from an early age. He said such principles would be a part of their childhood upbringing into adulthood.

Meanwhile, Bishop Barrington DaCosta during his dedicatory prayer for little Alexia said when God created Adam and Eve, He knew that they would have been fruitful and that they would have multiplied and produced off-springs.

DaCosta said Alexia was born for a purpose, but that only God could tell what purpose she would fulfill within a few years. He said God is able to keep her, as He will be her shield from all harm and danger and that her being dedicated to the Creator is even more assurance that she will be in safe hands.

Little Alexia was born at the Mandeville Regional Hospital in Manchester on March 3. She is the fifth baby to be dedicated to God at the church since the start of this year.

She is the first child for the young couple who got married before the middle of last year.