In a voice that resonated inside and outside the Bethel Methodist Church, Rev Marie Velina Petit, the newly-appointed Minister for the Anguilla Circuit, proclaimed that she believed she was called to serve the island at this time.
“I have come believing that God has really called me to serve Him and His people in Anguilla and I am ready, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to do His will,” she told the joint congregations from the six Methodist Churches as well as representatives from other denominations. The occasion at which she spoke was her official welcome to the Circuit.
Rev Petit, who is originally from Haiti, speaks French as her first language, but is also fluent in the English Language. Anguilla is her third posting outside of Haiti, having previously served in Barbados for one year and Antigua for two years.
She was grateful to Rev Franklyn Manners, President of the Leeward Islands District of the Methodist Church in the Caribbean and the Americas, Rev Dr Wycherley Gumbs and the Anguilla Circuit for giving her the opportunity to be part of the ministry in Anguilla.
“It is a pleasure for me to be here to work with you all, and I want your collaboration. If you accept to put your hands with me, we will have a wonderful time working together,” she further told the Methodists. “I always say that I am not my own, but I belong Jesus so He will use me wherever he sends me to do His will. I never knew I would have been in Anguilla to start my third appointment. May His will be done in my ministry and in my life.”
Rev Petit, who then participated in the service by leading the Prayer of Intercession, was welcomed by Circuit Steward, Erville Hughes. “Rev Petit, today is exactly one week since you arrived in Anguilla at our Circuit Minister,” he addressed her. “You will have noticed that Anguilla is a small but beautiful island with friendly, caring and helpful people…However, small and beautiful do not equate with zero problems. You will soon find that we have similar social problems like so many of our Caribbean islands – crime and violence, gang culture and changing values within the society, but debate on these issues continue to engage our minds.”
Mr Hughes added: “We are confident that whatever the problems are, with God’s help your ministry among us will be much fruit. We have six congregations in the Circuit, and you will find that the members are ready to respond and assist you to carry on your ministry – and in particular in the three churches to which you have been assigned. They are Immanuel, Maranatha and Trinity.
“Rev Petit, on behalf of the Anguilla Methodist Circuit, Leeward Islands District of the Methodist Church in the Caribbean and the Americas, I welcome you to this circuit. We look forward to your ministry among us, Methodists, and the ecumenical body within Anguilla. May God continue to bless you as you labour in His vineyard.”
Those who also shared in the welcome service were the Superintendent Minister, Rev Dr Wycherley Gumbs; Rev Dunstan Richardson; Minister-in-training, Rev Wilmoth Hodge; and Mrs Evalie Bradley and Mr Kenn Banks, Local Preachers.
