A Thanksgiving Service was organised in Anguilla for Thursday afternoon this week, September 6, to commemorate Hurricane Irma which devastated the island on that date in 2017.
The suggestion came from Executive Council which met on August 16. The minutes of that meeting stated: “Council concluded that it would be correct to commemorate this event with a small religious-focussed service given the enormous impact of the event on the nation. HE The Governor contacted the PAS, MHA (Principal Assistant Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs) on what it could entail.”
According to the Rt. Rev. Errol Brooks, the Anglican Church had already arranged to hold a commemorative event at about 7.30 pm on Thursday, September 6, but brought it forward to 4.30 pm to meet the request of the Executive Council.
Bishop Brooks arranged for other religious leaders from the Anguilla Christian Council and the Anguilla Evangelical Association to participate in the Thanksgiving Service.
Hurricane Irma was one of the most powerful storms ever recorded in the Atlantic Ocean. It struck Anguilla and a number of other islands leaving a trail of destruction and death. One person was unfortunately killed in Anguilla when his house collapsed on him.
The island continues to experience the effects of the hurricane. Many persons are still suffering, and a number of buildings in the public and private sector remain in a state of disrepair.
