The First Anniversary since the passing of the beloved Anguillian Supernumerary Methodist Minister, the Rev. Dr. Serchal Wilfred Hodge (Freddie), was marked by the customary fellowship meeting and lunch he initiated for his colleagues and friends.
The event was held on Tuesday, June 19, at his former residence at South Hill. It was organised by his widow, Mrs. Jean Hodge, a retired educator and organist, with the assistance of a number of persons including Supernumerary Minister, Rev. Dunstan Richardson, who has assumed the mantle of fellowship leader.
The occasion took the form of a short service led by Rev. Richardson. The opening prayer was delivered by another Supernumerary Minister, Rev. Joseph Lloyd, and the Scripture Reading was performed by Minister-in-Training, Rev. Wilmoth Hodge.
Mrs. Jean Hodge read a hand-written sermon by her husband which she found on a shelf in the family home. “It seems as if it was a special message for today,” she commented. “It is entitled the ‘Unforgiven Sin’ but when I read further on, I think the title was ‘Judgement Day’.”
Later on she spoke about her husband’s unfortunate illness at the Jewish Hospital in Long Island, New York, last year, and of her appreciation that many Methodist Ministers, including some he had trained, and other persons, had left a church conference to fellowship with him.
Rev. Richardson recalled the work of the fallen Minister, in particular his expertise in property and finance – two aspects of his service to the Church that stood out. He also called to memory the ministry of Rev. Dr. Hodge throughout the Methodist District including the training of Ministers and the fine example he set for other Pastors and Lay Persons.
Rev. Dr. Wycherley Gumbs, Superintendent Minister of the Anguilla Methodist Circuit, expressed thanks for the ministry and quality of life which the late Minister shared, in many ways, with the Leeward Islands District and Conference including his financial ability. The Superintendent Minister, who spoke about the deceased Minister’s various regional postings, also mentioned his strong class meetings which contributed to the strength of the Church; his appealing sermons and other engagements during his Ministry and after his retirement.
Rev. John A. Gumbs, one of Anguilla’s first Methodist Ministers, said Rev. Dr. S.W. Hodge had entered the Ministry at a time when English-born Ministers were in the leadership of Methodism in the Caribbean and there was a need for regional Ministers to change the status quo. He spoke at length about the deceased Minister’s accomplishments in the region including the establishment of the West Indies Corporation – an insurance agency for the Church from which some assistance is now expected in Anguilla following the passage of and damage caused by Hurricane Irma to church property. He described Rev. Dr. Hodge as having been an asset to the Leeward Islands District and Conference of the Methodist Church.
The fellowship event was held, against the stunning backdrop of Road Bay Harbour and Sandy Ground Village, was both a delightful and memorable occasion. It brought much solace, encouragement and hope to the still grieving loved ones of the late Rev. Dr. Serchal Wilfred Hodge as well as to his erstwhile ministerial colleagues, other church workers and friends who were in attendance.
