Anguilla joined various regional and other countries in observing World Day of Prayer which climaxed with International Womens’ Day on Friday. March 8.
Women’s groups and individuals from various parts of the island gathered at Bethel Methodist Church at South Hill on Friday evening, March I, for the Ecumenical Service marking World Day of Prayer. The order of service, prepared by the Women’s Inter-Church Council of Canada, was led by Reverend Rose Marie Julius, assisted by Mrs Ruth Niles, wife of the Reverend Dr. H. Clifton Niles.
Groups of women and individuals participated in the service which had as its theme: “I was a stranger and you welcomed me”. Some of the participants depicted immigrant women from various countries who presented reports of their experiences, and delivered other readings. Among them were Anguillian women who travelled abroad and other women who came and settled in Anguilla.
The participating women in the presentations included the Mother’s Union of the Anglican Church, St. Gerard’s Roman Catholic Church, the Methodist Church and the Christian Fellowship Church on the Blowing Point Road. The Mens’ Fellowship of the Ebenezer Methodist Church also participated in the service.
Superintendent Minister of the Methodist Circuit, Reverend Dunstan Richardson, spoke on the theme for the service. His sermon was taken from the Book of Leviticus dealing with the law in connection with aliens who went to live among the Jewish people. “When an alien resides with you in your land, you shall not oppress the alien. You shall love the alien as yourself for you were aliens in the land of Egypt…” he read.
“As we read this law given to the children of Israel, perhaps our minds can go back to our forefathers and others who, like the Jewish people, before they settled in the land of Canaan – the Land of Promise, moved from island to island seeking a better life for themselves and for us. They moved from Anguilla to St. Martin, St. Kitts, Canada, USA, UK, Aruba, Curacao, St. Thomas, St. Croix and St. Pedro de Maroris. I can recall my grandfather saying, ‘I spent six months in the USA and six months in Anguilla.’
“They had their stories to tell.Some of the stories told were bitter/sweet. Some were sweet and some were sour. What about those who come to live among us here in Anguilla? As the children of God, how do we measure up to them?”
In effect, Reverend Richardson was appealing to Anguillians to remember the days when their forebears travelled throughout the region and beyond, like nomads, strangers and sojourners – in search of employment. He was now admonishing Anguillians to return the courtesies shown to them by those among whom they once resided.
It was an enjoyable service with all the women performing their collective or individual roles with much dedication and unity, setting the stage for International Womens Day, Friday, March 8.
