Worshippers at St. Augustine’s Anglican Church at East End were given a lesson in sharing to the needy when they turned up there on Sunday, September 29, for the morning service.
It was a service at which the congregation was made aware of this year’s celebration of the 36th Anniversary of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) and Financial Information Month – October. This was highlighted by the number of financial partners and key stakeholders, involved in banking, insurance, social security and other areas of the private and public sector financial services, among the congregation.
Among those at the service was Mr. Clement Ruan, Managing Director of D3 Enterprises. He told The Anguillian newspaper: “Financial Information Month is very important to bring the public up to date with, or in tune with, changes especially in Anguilla. I think this month’s activities provide an opportunity for them to programme themselves on a general understanding of what is going on with the economy in Anguilla.”
The service was conducted by Anglican Priest, Rev. Raliville Christian, who was assisted with the Scripture readings by financial representatives mainly from the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank’s Office in Anguilla.
Rev. Christian made no particular reference to Financial Information Month but took the opportunity to remind his listeners about the need for sharing with the poor. A key Biblical story to which he drew attention was that of the rich man, and Lazarus who ate the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table. “When you give, it comes back,” he told his listeners. “It is a principle. If you give, you will receive.”
The ECCB Financial Information Month is annual event across the eight member territories or Agency Offices of the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union. The event was officially launched on Monday, September 30, at the ECCB Headquarters in St. Kitts and was transmitted by video-link to Anguilla and the other Agency Offices.
The calendar of events in Anguilla includes visits to schools by representatives of financial institutions, financial tips and articles, radio and televisions jingles and a financial contribution to a charitable foundation. Other activities will be a Financial Fair on October 18 during which partners will display their goods and services to members of the public – and engage in discussions about their financial needs and concerns; a Walkaton on October 25 at 4.30 pm in collaboration with the Anguilla Breast Cancer Society; and a Business Symposium on Insurance on October 31.
The theme of Financial Information Month is “Financial Empowerment Through Education”.