Approximately fifty students ranging from pre-school to secondary school ag.e, colourfully and smartly attired in their respective school uniforms, along with parents, guardians and friends, were in attendance at the second annual ‘Back To School Service’, held at theEbenezerMethodistChurchon Sunday 02 September, at 5:30pm. The service, organized by theMissionand Evangelism Committee of that Congregation, was conducted under the theme, ‘Children of the King’.
The aim of the service was to ask God’s blessings and seek his guidance and protection on the students as they begin a new school year, while at the same time reassuring the students that the Church cares and is there to support them in all worthy endeavours. The students were challenged in a meditation delivered by Rev. Dr. H. Clifton Niles, a supernumerary minister of theMethodistChurch. Using the analogy of the fingers, he reminded the Pre-school and primary students that each was special and they needed each other. To the older students quoting from ancient philosophers like Plato and Aristotle, Rev Niles said that similar things were being said of children today and were said of those in times before Christ. Nothing much had changed. He concluded by exhorting them to seek wisdom as stated in verse 2 of Proverbs 2, the selection scripture for the service. “Wisdom,” he explained, “is more than knowledge: it is about making the right decision.”
The service was enhanced by the incorporation of action choruses and the singing of two songs written especially for the occasion by Mr. Sanford Richardson, Chairman of the committee. The songs were sung to the tunes of popular, well-loved hymns.
Another moving aspect of the worship was the blessing of the students. Prayers were offered up by different ministers, viz. Rev. Rose-Marie Julius, Rev. Joseph Lloyd, Rev. E. Dunstan Richardson andRev. Dr.Niles, himself. The students then recited the following pledge:
We pledge:
To walk as children of the King,
To be model students in attitude and behaviour,
To take responsibility for our learning and aim for the highest standards,
To bring honour to our school, church, community and family –
But above all to God!
Also officiating in the service was liturgist, Ms. Lauraine Gumbs, a member of the congregation, and organist young Devaunie Richardson of the Maranatha Congregation. All students received gifts in the form of school supplies as tokens of love from the congregation.
Although originally planned for students from the Congregation and others living within the Valley environs, the organizers were delighted that students from other congregations including some living outside the Valley area were well represented at the service.
The Organising Committee and the members of the Congregation would like to express its thanks to all those who assisted in making the events a success as well as the students and parents and all those who attended the service.
– Press Release
(Published without editing by The Anguillian Newspaper.)
