The streets in The Valley and Wallblake areas in Anguilla were scenes of an orderly and colourful procession on Palm Sunday, March 20.
The annual event was staged by the Anguilla Christian Council which represents the Anglican, Methodist and St. Gerard’s Roman Catholic Churches in the run-up to Lent (the Crucifixion) and Easter Sunday (the Resurrection.)
The Service of the Palms, as the event is called, was held at the usual place – The Trough (a traditional area where cattle on the nearby Agricultural farmlands drank water pumped from The Valley Well).
The short service was presided over by Anglican Priest, Reverend Samuel Knight. His brief sermon focussed on Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem – riding on the foal of a donkey – on a road strewn with palm leaves and garments, to shouts of hosanna as recorded in the Bible.
The Scripture Reading was delivered by the Reverend Dr. Wycherley Gumbs, Superintendent of the Anguilla Methodist Circuit and Chairman of the Anguilla Christian Council.
Fr. Paul Crozch, Priest-in-Charge of St. Gerard’s Roman Catholic Church, gave the announcements regarding the special Lenten services in the three churches.
Governor Christina Scott and Chief Minister, Mr. Victor Banks, walked in the Anglican and Methodist Churches’ processions respectively.