Two Youth programmes were delivered by the Methodist Church Anguilla Circuit over the last two weeks. For the first programme from 14-18 August, the setting was the Bethel Methodist Church at South Hill where the Annual ‘Summerfest’ was held. The second from 21-25 August was the Vacation Bible School at Ebenezer Chapel in the Valley.
Summer Fest was declared open on Monday 14 August by Rev. E. Dunstan Richardson who is Acting as Superintendent of the Circuit in the absence of Rev. Dr. Wycherley Gumbs, who is on leave. There the stage was set for the exciting five days that were to come.
Over 60 children attended each day and was a great success. This year the theme was God’s Heroes. The Hero verse was “DO GOOD, SEEK PEACE AND GO AFTER IT”. Psalm 34: 14b. Every day the Hero Code focused on a different aspect according to the corresponding scripture story.
Monday: Samuel anoints David – God’s Heroes Have Heart
Tuesday: Abigail saves the Day – God’s Heroes Have Courage
Wednesday: Jesus goes to the Temple – God’s Heroes Have Wisdom
Thursday: The Beatitudes – God’s Heroes Have Hope
Friday: Pentecost – God’s Heroes Have Power.
The Closing Ceremony on the evening of Friday 18 August, chaired by Sis.Yolande Richardson, included performances by the participants of liturgical dance, poetic dramatization, songs and a science demonstration. The event was witnessed by several parents and other well-wishers.
At the end of the performances there was a presentation ceremony where all participants and Camp Assistants were given certificates, prepared by the Circuit Office and signed by Rev. Wilmoth Hodge and the chairman of the Children’s Commission, Sis. Elvarie Vanterpool.
Special awards were also presented to deserving participants in each age group of gifts of pens and pencils inscribed “Summer Fest 2017 God’s Hero”.
The past Chairman of the Circuit Organization and Education Committee, Bro. Seymour Hodge was
presented with a basket of fruits upon his retirement after giving so many years of enthusiastic and dedicated service in managing Summer Fest.
This year Sis Jean Hodge was tasked to spearhead the event in the absence of the new permanent manager. She rose to the occasion and was highly commended by Circuit Minister Rev. Wilmoth Hodge in his closing remarks. For this she was presented with a beautiful floral arrangement
Special thanks is due to all the dedicated leaders and teams who made sure that the spirit of Summer Fest was alive and enjoyed by everyone. To God be the glory, great things he hath done.
Ebenezer Vacation Bible School began on Monday 21 August and ended on Friday 25 August with a picnic at Crocus Bay. During the week there were 75 participants registered between the ages of 3-16. Of these 40, were affiliated to Ebenezer with the remainder from other Methodist congregations and other churches and visitors to the island most with Ebenezer affiliations. Assisting with the programme were over twenty volunteers including teachers and kitchen staff who together ensured that the Bible School was a success.
The VBS followed a Vacation Bible School programme, produced by Abingdon Press, entitled ‘Super God! Super Me! Super Possibility’. The Bible & Arts programme was designed to help participants know that the super power given to us by Jesus Christ is greater than any other power -imagined or in existence.
Day 1: ‘Being Ready’. Based on The Armour of God- Ephesians 6.
Day 2: ‘Use Your Wits’. Based on the story of Moses’ birth (Exodus 2:1-9),
Day 3: ‘Being Yourselves’, Based on the story of Daniel and the four Hebrew boys (Daniel 1:3-8, 14-17),
Day 4: ‘Keep Learning’. Based on the story of the boy Jesus in the temple (Luke 2:41-51).
Day 5: Brief closing ceremony and picnic at Crocus Bay.
The Programme included African American culture and history as a lens through which the participants were taught biblical truths. African-American culture and history were integrated into the curriculum. These included liturgical dance, movement and music of various genres (Gospel, rap, and Negro spirituals).
Through out the week the participants were split in to three teams, FAITH, HOPE, and LOVE who were under the leadership of a team captain. Colour coded wristbands distinguished the team members who were expected to work together as teams in various activities.
On the last day there was a brief closing ceremony when the participants performed some of the songs learn during the week and stage a brief skit that incorporated all the themes of the programme. The week ended with a picnic at Crocus Bay that for many of the children, was the highlight.
At the end all participants took home a folder which included there own completed workbook of the bible teaching sessions, art and croft projects completed during the week and their certificate of participation.
At the Church service on Sunday morning a report on the Bible School was presented to the Congregation and Special awards for outstanding performances at the camp were presented to deserving participants in each age group.
It was an interesting five days and we trust that the time we spent with our young people impacted positively on them and will help them draw closer to our Super God!
The Methodist Church is indebted to the many volunteers who spent the time over the last two weeks interacting with our precious children. These include those persons who spent the entire week leading classes, the kitchen staff who prepared the snacks everyday, as well as those who came in to lead and facilitate various sessions and activities. Many of our volunteers took time of from work to be part of the occasion so we are also grateful to those employers and managers who saw value in the event. We are also thankful for the overwhelming support provided by parents, guardians, and friends of the participants and the entire church family. Christ said ‘I tell you with certainty, since you did it for one of the least important of these brothers of mine, you did it for me.’ (ISV)
We now look forward to reaching even more children with our wonderful programmes for 2018.
– Press Release
(Published without editing by The Anguillian newspaper.)
