The Anguilla National colours were all over the sanctuary when a considerably large congregation, from across the island, attended the Annual Ecumenical Service of Thanksgiving at St. Mary’s Anglican Church on Sunday afternoon, May 27.
The service is one of the main activities heralding the official Anguilla Day celebration.
The Officiating Clergy comprised: the Rt. Rev. L. Errol Brooks, Parish Priest and Bishop of the Diocese of the North Eastern Caribbean and Aruba; Methodist Ministers, Rev. Dr. Wycherley Gumbs, Superintendent – and Chairman of the Anguilla Christian Council; Rev. Dr. H. Clifton Niles, who delivered the sermon; and Rev. Candis Niles; and Pastor Philip Gumbs of the Church of God (Holiness) and Chairman of the Anguilla Evangelical Association. The Organist was Mr. Devaunie Richardson, a young Methodist known for his excellent musical skills.
Rev. Dr. Niles, an articulate and influential preacher, based his sermon on the rebuilding of the broken down walls of Jerusalem by Nehemiah assisted by the remnant people of Judah who, with him, were of one accord to “rise and build” in a time of trouble.
During the course of his delivery, Rev. Niles made various references to Anguilla, calling on the citizenry and leaders to address matters affecting family homes, the community and governance.
Known for his interest in political representation, he was critical of what he saw was a fundamental mistake in historic Europe relating to the separation of church and state. He expressed his belief that there was a need for spiritual leaders to play significant roles in both areas, of Christian influence and state leadership, at the same time.
“I have entitled my sermon: Nehemiah – A Leader of Quality and Class,” Rev. Niles told his listeners. “I have developed the sermon being conscious of the theme of the [Anguilla Day] celebrations: ‘Still Strong, Proud and Free – Anguilla at 51: Charting Our Destiny.’ This theme, in my mind, is clearly aspirational and it is most definitely a solemn call for each one of us to do the best we can to ensure that our aspirations do indeed become reality.”
He went on: “Nehemiah was not a preacher. He was not a minister or a priest. He was a Governor. Would to God that our governors and our political leaders would know that it is their responsibility to help lead the country to God!
“It was a fundamental mistake that the Europeans made when they [approved] the document on the separation of church and state…because we are not separated. And it is a mistake that we, in Anguilla, make when we think that a man or a woman ‘in the cloth’ [the religious ministry] – and indeed some preach – should not have anything to do with politics.”
Rev. Niles called on the people of Anguilla, like Nehemiah and the people of Judah, to rebuild their broken down walls, symbols of security, peace, and national wellbeing.
“Our theme says’ Still Strong, Proud and Free”, he added. “What are our symbols in Anguilla – and are we yet to build a wall? Building a wall was a major accomplishment under the leadership of Nehemiah. According to Nehemiah chapter 6, verse 15, the wall was built in 52 days. We are celebrating 51 years. Have we built the wall as yet? Building our nation is a major project that is still to be undertaken by us.”
