Rev. John A. Gumbs
The Ebenezer Methodist Chapel in Anguilla, the oldest of the six Methodist churches on the island, celebrated its 183rd Anniversaryon Thursday, July 25, with a Service of Thanksgiving and Re-dedication. The event had as its theme: “A Vision! A Beacon! A Heritage – Hitherto Hath the Lord Helped Us.”
The celebration was part of the current observance of 200 years of Methodist Witness in Anguilla during the period 1813-2013, with each of the churches celebrating its particular years of ministry within that time. The service was largely a reflection on the history of Methodism in Anguilla – and the early work of John Hodge, a free coloured man and a cock-fighter, who founded Methodism on the island among the slave population.
A distinctive aspect of the service, however, was the fact that in a way it was also a celebration of the work of five persons who had emerged from the Ebenezer Chapel to become Methodist Ministers of much influence and standing in the Caribbean region before eventually returning to the island as Supernumerary Ministers. They are Reverends John A. Gumbs, Franklin Roberts; Cecil O.A. Weekes; Joseph R Lloyd; and E. Dunstan Richardson. Accordingly, they all officiated at the service.
Chief Minister, Hubert Hughes, speaking on behalf of the Anguilla Government, spoke highly of the work of the Ministers. “The church in The Valley has produced some of the best preachers in the Caribbean. We felt good when we travelled around the Caribbean – and people asked us about these greatmen who all belong to the Methodist Church,” he stated, adding humorously:“the Anglicans tried to follow us when they produced our Bishop of the Eastern Caribbean and Aruba…” Mr Hughes said the Methodist Church had a great history. “I think John Hodge did a good job when he, as a layman, established this church here in the heart of Anguilla – The Valley. We can feel proud of what he has done.”
Bishop Errol Brooks was invited to attend the service on behalf of the Anglican Church and as President of the Anguilla Christian Council. “Thank you for the invitation to share in this wonderful Bible Store here at Ebenezer,” he remarked. “A hundred and eighty-three years represent a long time and it is carved out of the two hundred years of celebration going on at this time.”
He continued: “I bring you greetings on behalf of the other members of the Anguilla Christian Council…and to wish you God’s continual blessing as we work together in unity for the building of God’s Kingdom here on earth…I am very impressed with the theme of the celebration – and those who decided to build this edifice to the honour and glory of God definitively had a vision.
“I believe that vision is enshrined in the Great Commission ‘to go into all the world to preach the Gospel, and to make disciples of men and women baptising them in the Name of the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit.’ It is a vision that we, today, need to partner into and to carry forward. This Church has indeed been a beacon. It stands as a reminder of God’s presence in our community. It stands as a beacon of hope that all isn’t lost. God is in control and it is our responsibility, despite all the challenges going on around us, to let our people know that they must not give up.”
During the service a history of Ebenezer Chapel was delivered by Mr Wycliffe Richardson, a member of the congregation. It appears elsewhere in this edition of The Anguillian.
The sermon was delivered by Rev. Franklin Roberts who said that it was thought to be appropriate to have him and the other ministerial products of Ebenezer officiate at the service. He was particularly happy that, over the years, Anguilla had produced him and his four other colleagues, as Methodist Ministers for export, to the Caribbean, and not just salt and pigeon peas.
Rev Roberts expressed delight that the name Ebenezer, applied to the Methodist Church in The Valley, had remained unchanged in its long history. “The word, Ebenezer, is steeped in the history of our Biblical ancestors as well as the history of our enslaved forefathers and others,” he said. He stressed that “it was God who called and directed John Hodge and others to lay themselves at the altar of service – and invest in the care of those round about them through their work of preaching, teaching, healing, comforting and praying.” He declared that the erection of the Ebenezer Chapel, nearly two hundred years ago, was “a witness of the blood, sweat, tears and suffering of our enslaved forebears who exhibited the virtue of patient and trustful endurance.”
Rev Robertsfurther stated: “This building, Ebenezer, bears witness to the fact that our English partners at that time, together with our enslaved forebears and a few free men, gave cheerfully and sacrificially of their time, skill, money and labour in the erection of this sanctuaryto the glory of God.”
Rev Joseph Lloyd did the introductory portions of the service;Rev John A Gumbs delivered the Gospel reading; the Intercessory Prayers were led by Rev Cecil Weekes and the Act of Red-dedication of Ebenezer Chapel was performed by Rev Dunstan Richardson.
