There was standing room only at the crowdedBethelMethodistChurchat South Hill on Sunday, January 22, where the Fortieth Anniversary Service of the Royal Anguilla Police Force was held.
Apart from the regular congregation, most of the seating was taken up by officials of the Governor’s Office, the Anguilla Government,the Judiciary, large contingents from the local Police Force and the Voluntary Korps Service of St. Maarten, as well as a number of persons from various parts of the Anguillian community. Adding to the crowd were members of the Worcester City Police Club who are in Anguilla participating in a 20-20 cricket tournament with local teams and a visiting British Virgin Islands Police team.
The special service included Scripture readings by two members of the Anguilla Police Force, PC Shem Will and WPC Bernadette Carbon; a selection by Inspector Andy Arsenault; selections by the Police/Community Band; and a presentation by the Senior Choir of Bethel Methodist Church.
The sermon, entitled “A Promise of Universal Peace & Security”, was delivered by Supernumerary Methodist Minister, Rev. Cecil Weekes. In a way, it appropriately blended in with the theme for Police Week “Public Security A Shared Responsibility”.
Taking his text from the book of Isaiah, Rev. Weekes said that peace and security were issues that should be everybody’s business and central to the well being of all.
He noted that God’s promise of peace and security was first revealed some 2,450 years ago in the first half of the 8th century BC. Since then, “the rumblings of war machines and armoured personnel carriers are still heard as they criss cross cities, towns and villages of many nations indiscriminately killing men, women and children and destroying their homes.”
He warned that the people ofAnguillashould take heed of acts of violence on the island which suggests “the existence of an undeclared war between rival gangs of youth who have marked off certain areas as their turf” over which youth from other areas were not at liberty to cross. He said the Anguillian community was aware of certain criminal activities taking place on the island which were of deep and troubling concern.
Rev. Weekes also referred to what he called “those voices over the airwaves of this island that are harping back to the events of 1967 as a point of reference and motivation for the type of action Anguillians should now follow to wrest independence by force.” He cautioned that those voices “must understand that there were dire consequences for the mightyRoman Empirewhen the ‘dogs of war’ were let to slip by Mark Anthony and his supporters. Such action ultimately resulted in the breakup of the ancientRoman Empire. The once proud and mightyRoman Empirewas reduced to the ranks of the ordinary.”
The Methodist preacher continued: “If Mark Anthony’s counsel [in William Shakespeare’s play Julius Caesar] to let the ‘dogs of war’ slip is pursued – as some are suggesting – then, like the ancient Roman Empire, this island of Anguillawill self-destruct.”
Rev. Weekes said that the final condition required for establishing peace and security on earth was for all nations and people to “convert their weapons of destruction and death for positive and creative use.” He called on all persons involved in criminal activities in Anguilla, aimed at attacking others and taking away their possessions, to stop such acts of violence. “In the name of the Lord Jesus, I call on all those young people who engage in turf and gang violence to bring your warfare to an end and let there be peace among the youth of this country,” he stated.
He added that “God’s promise of universal peace and security will be fulfilled only when, like the prodigal son, we all, without exception, come to an end of self and return to the Lord God…in sincere repentance…”
The service was followed by a march-past outside, on the main road, at which the salute was taken by Governor Harrison.
