winner.

Canon Thomas Nisbett will tomorrow receive a personal message from South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

Archbishop Tutu will be sending the note in observance of a celebration in honour of Canon Nisbett's retirement, hosted by a local race relations group.

Canon Nisbett, who was active in the anti-apartheid movement throughout his ministry, retired from his post at Devonshire Christ Church after half-a-century of religious service to Bermuda. He was also instrumental in several youth movements.

Beyond Barrier's coordinator Glenn Fubler said the Archbishop was sending the message in spite of the fact that he has been admitted to a hospital in New York City this week. The Archbishop is being treated for cancer.

Archbishop Tutu recently concluded his work as chair of the Truth Commission in South Africa.

The correspondence will form a key part of tomorrow's activities which will also feature a presentation by New York City Councilman Rev. Wendall Foster, a pastor on the Island in the 1950s and '60s.

"Rev. Foster will be bringing a brief message to this event as an admirer of Canon Nisbett,'' Mr. Fubler said. "When Foster served in the Island as a pastor he demonstrated how to work to enhance a sense of community.

"Rev. Foster was credited by a number of Bermudians with getting them into schools abroad, including Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly Stanley Lowe. He also worked with the international anti-apartheid movement.'' Tomorrow's celebration will also include performances by a number of artists including the Pembroke Players, Gene Steede, Tempo and LeYoni Junos.

The festivities will get under way at 5 p.m. at the City Hall Theatre.

Admission will be by donations with the proceeds going to a special Canon Nisbett Fund. This year funds have been earmarked for Reo Peniston, a recent Bermuda College graduate. He has been unable to go abroad to obtain higher education for financial reasons.

Mr. Peniston was the only graduate from the pure science area and has an interest in doing medicine. He is also a recent recipient the Duke of Edinburgh gold award.

Beyond Barriers grew out of the local anti-apartheid movement.

ARCHBISHOP DESMOND TUTU -- Will be sending the note in observance of a celebration in honour of Canon Nisbett's retirement.