Rev Dunstan Richardson
members of the congregation
members of the congregation
A long-serving Anguillian Methodist Minister, with wide experience in church and community life in the Caribbean, has taken up his final official appointment in the ministry on his return to his homeland.
He is the Reverend Dr Wycherley Gumbs, formerly of North Hill. He is the new Superintendent of the Anguilla Circuit in succession to Reverend Dunstan Richardson who has now retired from the ministry. Rev Dr Gumbs, his wife, Mrs Stella Gumbs, formerly of Sandy Ground, and members of their family, were welcomed at a special service at Bethel Methodist Church on Sunday evening, September 1.
The first official greeting was delivered on behalf of the Government of Anguilla by Minister of Home Affairs, the Hon Jerome Roberts. The second greeting was by Bishop Errol Brooks, Chairman of the Anguilla Christian Council whose message was read by Rev Candis Niles. Other welcome remarks were delivered by Circuit Stewards Brother Erville Hughes and Brother Sinclair Buchanan on behalf of the six congregations.
Mr Roberts said in part: “We celebrate the home-coming of our very own son and a daughter of the soil. We bid you welcome. The people of Anguilla are indeed proud to have you here, and I can only but say to God be the glory, great things He continues to do. I recognise the fact that more and more of our senior Methodist preachers are returning home. It is a good indication that we have a cadre of men who are dedicated to the call of service who, regardless of the situation, are always ready to return to the place of their birth. The Government and people of Anguilla stand ready to support you in your efforts here. We are indeed partners in this business. The church has its role, the government has its role but, collectively, we all work for the betterment and interest of our people to whom God has called us all to serve in various capacities.”
Noting Rev Dr Gumbs’ travel to, and service in, the various islands, Mr Roberts described him as a true ambassador not only for Methodism but for Anguilla as well.
Bishop Brooks said that the members of the Anguilla Christian Council joined him in extending a hearty welcome home to the Rev Dr Wycherley Gumbs and Mrs Gumbs. The top Anglican Cleric continued: “Rev Dr Gumbs, this placement provides another opportunity for you to make a worthwhile contribution to your homeland and fellow citizens. We are confident that by God’s grace, you will.
“Like many of the other places where you have served, Anguilla has undergone many changes. Some of these have been good, others, in large measure, have had a deleterious effect on our society. Let us resolve, by God’s help, to lead our people in the way that He would have them go and to encourage them to find their centre in Him. As we continue to address the challenges facing our people, we look forward to your wise counsel…”
Responding, Rev Dr Gumbs said he was so delighted to be back in Anguilla permanently, that he knelt on the ground on arrival at Blowing Point. He was particularly happy to have been welcomed at Bethel Church which was built by the blood, sweat and tears of the ancestors of the people called Methodists of African and Caribbean descent.
In a call for unity in the church, Rev Gumbs said: “Working together works. I have no magic wand to wave except to inspire you to take a page from our long history as a people of African heritage and Methodism in particular…Tugging together works and working together works. So in this circuit there is no Ebenezer, there is no Bethel; no Immanuel, no Zion, no Maranatha, no Trinity. We are the Methodist Church inAnguilla.
“Let us not allow, then, insularity, which is a part of our long history as well, to rear its head; and let us not say that we are better than the others are. No, we are servants to all the congregations in every aspect; so my face shall be in all the congregations – and in the faces of all the Ministers, as well, so that each of us can sense that working together breeds fullness and completeness. Our challenge is to take that mantle of service and pass it on. The adults of the church must take the baton of service and pass it to our children, and our children’s children, so that our church can be a part of that wonderful team of witnesses.”
Rev Gumbs is well-known throughout Anguilla, where he was born and received his early education. After teaching in the public schools, he candidated for the Methodist Ministry and served the Church from 1972-1994.
He was appointed the first Principal of the St Andrew’s High School in Dominica (1979).
He completed graduate studies at the University of Pittsburgh and was awarded a Doctorate in Philosophy in 1982.
Reverend Gumbs was appointed Chairman and General Superintendent of the Leeward Islands District from 1988 to 1993. From 1994 to 2007, he served the Government of the United States Virgin Islands in the Departments of Human Services and Education as a Counsellor. He also lectured at the University of the Virgin Islands in history, politics and philosophy.
He has served in the Jamaica and Leeward Islands Districts and the United Methodist Church in the United States of America. His current appointment as a Pastor and Superintendent of the Methodist Church in the Anguilla Circuit climaxes a long period of service in the Ministry.
Reverend Gumbs has published plays, poetry and historical works. He and his wife, Mrs Stella Gumbs, are the parents of four children and grandparents of three granddaughters.
