The Reverend Egbert Dunstan Richardson, an Anguillian Methodist Minister who served the church for forty years in various parts of the region, is now joining a number of his Anguillian ministerial colleagues in retirement or as a Supernumerary Minister. He should have actually retired three years ago. However, he accepted an appointment to serve as Superintendent of the Anguilla Circuit for one year, but served for another two years.
Reverend Richardson has the distinction of being one of five Anguillian Ministers to have been produced by the historic Ebenezer Methodist Chapel in The Valley and to have well represented Anguilla in the Caribbean and beyond.
An Appreciation Service was held at Ebenezer for Reverend and Mrs Richardson on Tuesday evening this week. The event was moderated by Brother Erville Hughes, Circuit Steward. The programme included welcome remarks by Brother Sinclair Buchanan, the incoming Circuit Steward, replacing Sister Janice Hodge who served for five years and who delivered the Scripture reading. There was no actual sermon, but representatives from the six Methodist congregations expressed their thanks and appreciation to Reverend and Mrs Richardson for their work in the Anguilla Circuit as well as their service outside the island.
The Right Reverend Errol Brooks, Anglican Bishop of the North Eastern Caribbean and Aruba, and an Anguillian compatriot, joined in saluting Reverend Richardson for his long ministry and now retirement. In a written message, Bishop Brooks, Chairman of the Anguilla Christian Council, regretted his absence due to the nighty Patronal Festival activities at St Augustine’s Anglican Church.
Bishop Brooks wrote: “Having rendered faithful service in many circuits overseas, Rev and Mrs Richardson returned to the Anguilla Circuit in 2010. We thank God for the contributions they have made to the work and witness of the church on this island. The time has come for them to relinquish the reins of full-time ministry.
“I am intentional in using the words they and them for, too often, many of us forget that spouses provide tremendous support for the ordained person. I believe that Rev and Mrs Richardson, like so many of their predecessors, will continue to serve the church and the community. It was Alex Comfort who said:Two weeks is about the ideal length of timeto retire. Or how about this quote from William Cooper:Absence ofoccupation is not rest. A mind quite vacant is a mind distressed.
“I wish both Reverend Dunstan and MrsAmy Richardson Godspeed and a long and enjoyable retirement.”
In his response, Reverend Richardsonthanked all persons for their kind expressions and good wishes. He was grateful for the opportunity to have served the Church in various capacities.
His biographical notes showed that he had an active young life at Ebenezer where he served as a Church School teacher and superintendent, as well as through the ranks of the Boy’s Brigade. After graduating from The Valley Secondary School, he accepted an appointment as an Accountant/Clerk at the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.
In 1967 he entered the United Theological College in Jamaica. Four years later he graduated with a Diploma in Ministerial Studies. He assumed an appointment in the Tobago Circuit in September 1971, the year he married Anguillian Amy Bernadette Hodge. He severed in Tobago for three years before being transferred to the Grenada Circuit for two years. After that he returned to the Leeward Islands’ District in 1976.
Rev Richardson served in that district as follows: Montserrat 1976-77; St Kitts 1977-78; Aruba 1978-82 as Superintendent; Antigua 1983-86; St Kitts 1986-87; St Thomas/St John 1987-91; Curacao 1991-93 as Superintendent; St. Thomas/St John 1983-97 as Superintendent; St Maarten/St Martin 1997-2002 as Superintendent; St Croix 2002 -2010 as Superintendent; and Anguilla 2010 to August 2013.
In addition to his pastoral duties, Reverend Richardson served as District Candidates Secretary, General Secretary – Mission and Evangelism; District Auditor for many years; and Secretary of the District Synod for ten years.
He also served as Connexional Secretary for Mission and Evangelism; Manager for the Methodist Schools in Tobago, Grenada, St Thomas/St John, St Maarten; and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Community United Methodist Center in St Croix. He was instrumental in establishing the first Methodist Secondary School in the Grenada Circuit.
In 1982-3 Reverend Richardson did post-graduate studies at Christian Theological Seminary in Indiana, USA, in Pastoral Care and Counselling leading to a Master’s Degree. He has also done work in Pastoral Care and Counselling leading to the Ph. D, only to complete a thesis. He holds many awards and certificates for service, in the community and church, including diplomas in Continuing Education programmes.
Reverend Richardson will be succeeded in Anguilla by another Anguillian Superintendent, the Reverend Dr Wycherley Gumbs, currently serving in St Kitts. ReverendGumbs who, has already Superannuated, will be given a welcome service at Bethel Chapel at South Hill next week Sunday, September 1.
