The Anguilla Retired Persons Association, an active group of Anguillians who once served in the public and private sectors, made its presence felt when many of its members came to the fore on Sunday, January 31.
Drawn from several other churches in Anguilla, they attended the Hilltop Baptist Church service as part of the celebrations marking their 11th Anniversary. They purposely went there to honour retired Pastor Davis Lloyd, founder of the Church, boat-builder and supermarket owner of Island Harbour.
President of the Association, Mrs. Mona Fleming, delivered an address midway in the service. “We thank Pastor Gareth Hodge and members of the congregation for welcoming us to this church,” she stated. “While we are celebrating our anniversary, we must remember the life and work of the founder of this church – Pastor Davis Lloyd, not forgetting his wife, Sister Matile (Dor) Lloyd.
“Every member of this church ought to be aware of the life and pastoral details of Pastor Lloyd who is a celebrated elder in this community…In addition to his religious leadership, Pastor Lloyd started his adult life as a fisher of fish until he became a fisher for men.
“His first schooner was the 67-foot Yankee Girl which traded among the Leeward Islands. In 1963, he built The Atlantic Star schooner and traded between Puerto Rico and the Leeward Islands. He used his first car as a taxi and a village ambulance. In the mid-60s he built the Harbour View Supermarket – supplying groceries and clothing to the entire island. He was an active participant in the Anguilla Revolution. He served as one of the Board members of the Anguilla Social Security system and also of the Anguilla Development Board. He established this church in April 1969 and was its Pastor for forty-five years until his retirement.”
Mrs. Fleming added: “For these achievements we, the members of the Retired Persons Association, have great pleasure in making this small presentation – not only to Pastor Lloyd – but also to his lovely wife who was right by his side. We wish him and Sister Lloyd many years of retirement.”
The sermon was preached by Pastor Gareth Hodge who spoke on the well-known passage of Scripture – which begins with “Remember now thy Creator in the days of your youth” – which speaks about mankind’s ageing process.
The service and the honouring of Pastor Lloyd involved partnership of the Anguilla Retired Persons Association; Mr. Clive Smith Jnr of the Department of Social Development, with responsibility for Older Persons; the Anguilla Social Security Board; and the Hilltop Baptist Church.
