The church played an active role in the 1967 Anguilla Revolution and today, 49 years later, it continues to be actively concerned about the present and future of the island. That is why an Ecumenical Church Service forms part of the annual Anguilla Day activities.
The preacher at the Sunday, May 29, 2016 Ecumenical Service – at St. Mary’s Anglican Church – was the Reverend Dr. Samuel Daniel, Bishop of the Church of God of Prophecy and Head of the Counselling Department at the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School. The attendance at the service was one of the largest seen in recent years. Noting the history of the island, and the challenges it now faces, Bishop Daniel urged Anguillians to “take God seriously”.
“Anguilla can’t afford to forget where it came from. Anguilla must remember God. Anguilla must again take God seriously,” he stressed. “Do not only remember what God has done for you, but in gratitude you should serve Him in sincerity and truth. Don’t do so with wavering faith and attitude, but consistently.”
He went on: “Everywhere I go, I see God’s people so distracted, so caught up in the non-essentials of life…that they neglect those things which would strengthen spiritual development and save our souls. Anguilla must not just be satisfied to be referred to as a Christian community only when it is convenient, but our commitment to Christian standards and ideals must be sincere, truthful and consistent.”
The Reverend Dr. Daniel pointed out that: “There is an urgent need for Anguillians to be kind to each other again; to love and support each other again”. A good question to ask ourselves is: ‘what can I do now to help Anguilla go forward, or what is my role in relation to Anguilla’s progress and development?”’
He addressed three groups of persons in relation to nation-building. The first was his fellow members of the Clergy. “Our role in nation-building is invaluable,” he stated in part. “This is a time to pray that the Kingdom, rule, and grace of God be manifested in our country. Instead of being caught up in supporting personalities, we should spend more of our creative energies constructing in our minds, our hearts, in our families, and our churches great, beautiful and glorious alternatives…The time has come, and is ripe, for the church to be the church – for true spiritual leaders to take their place in this society. It is high time to stand upon the word of God and be conduits of righteousness…”
Speaking to political leaders, he reminded them that they were the servants of the people. “It is God who allowed you to fill positions of responsibility and influence for this time and season,” he told them. “This makes you accountable to God. Your task is difficult but God wants to help you if you would allow Him. Be mindful of the fact that you are writing history – and that you are leaving a legacy.”
Addressing fellow citizens of Anguilla, the Minister recalled that over the years the people of the island had always proven their resilience. “Contrary to the beliefs of the critics, naysayers and pessimists, God has not fallen asleep…and He will again build and prosper this country,” he assured his listeners. “Each of us must take some responsibility for Anguilla’s prosperity as well as its posterity. If you claim to be a Christian community, you must refuse to be distracted or disrupted by what is happening around you – and your faith in God must be genuine and consistent.”
The participating members of the Clergy included the Rt. Reverend Errol Brooks, Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of the Eastern Caribbean and Aruba, who was pleased with the large turnout at the national service. He hoped that next year, when the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Anguilla Revolution is celebrated, that there would be an even greater attendance. The other Ministers were Reverend Dr. Wycherley Gumbs, Chairman of the Anguilla Christian Council and Superintendent of the Methodist Circuit, and Reverend Menes Hodge of the Anglican Church. Among them was Reverend Reginald Hodge, a Deacon in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands.
