The Ecumenical Service to commemorate the 56th Anniversary of the Anguilla Revolution was held at the Mount Fortune Seventh-day Adventist Church on the afternoon of Sunday, May 28th 2023.
The proceedings began as four uniformed young cadets bearing the National Flag and the UK Flag marched down the aisle, followed by officiating clergy. They entered the sanctuary against the back drop of the youth choir’s rendition of “Free like Me” arranged by T. Jennings.
Scripture reading, led by Dr. Bishop Samuel Daniel, was taken from Psalm 145. The National Choir then led the singing of the “Battle Hymn of the Republic”, mingled with “We’re Out to Build a New Anguilla”, as everybody vibrantly sang along.
Prayer was then offered by Pastor Phillip Gumbs. In light of the social dilemma that currently affects the island, Pastor Gumbs prayed that the God of light would fill the moment with His mercy in a land that is beset by violent tendencies and the weightiness of uncertainties. He asked God to hear, help and deliver. “At our very best we are helpless and our efforts fall short of triumph,” he prayed, “so, as a child that looks to the hand of a father, we cry for your intervention today”
The formal welcome was given by Rev. Wilmoth Hodge: “We are brothers and sisters in this land,” he said, “and I bid you all a warm welcome to the fifty-sixth anniversary of the Anguilla Revolution Service of Thanksgiving this afternoon. I welcome you who are present here in the sanctuary, as well as those who are joining us via social media. I extend Happy Anguilla Day wishes to all of you, and I trust that this year we would celebrate with great anticipation of the prospect of a new Anguilla,” he cordially said in part.
The Reverend acknowledged Her Excellency Governor Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam as well as the Honorable Premier Dr. Ellis L. Webster and other governmental and official dignitaries.
Scriptures from Psalm 33 and Philippians 2 were read by the Honourable Premier Webster and Leader of the Opposition, Cora Richardson-Hodge, respectively. This was followed by a song entitled “To Those Who Came Before Us” sung by Anguilla National Choir Male Chorus
The sermon, which was the high point of the service, was preached by Pastor Jerome J. Harrigan. He highlighted and analyzed the anniversary theme, “Forging Toward a Common Destiny, Anguilla Proud and Strong in 2023”.
“To forge is to produce something with difficulty,” he noted. “And with relation to a journey or a mode of advancement, to forge means that we must persistently move forward. Over the past few years, we have forged forward with advancement. However, the advancement of our country is not compared to a hundred meters dash or even passage around the stake, as we have it in boat race. But our journey of advancement must be a well calculated one. We must take a particular path, knowing that our direction and destiny that will affect us forever.
“Therefore, we must cautiously plan and pursue our course with a carefully projected purpose in order to reach the desired destiny.”
He said that in examining the theme, he was compelled to ask where is Anguilla going as a country. He asked himself what is Anguilla’s destiny, really. “Which destiny are we forging towards,” he asked. He acknowledged that while he applauded the advancements in Anguilla’s development, he thinks as a country we should ask ourselves whether our destiny is clear. “Is our destiny fully chartered? Do we really know where we are going?”
He then drove home his message: “As a largely seafaring community, we have learnt the importance of charting a course before a ship sets out on a journey. Certain key stakes must be considered in order to effectively chart the course. We must figure out factors such as the direction of travel; travel time or duration of travel; the tide movement; the wind speed and its intensity; and the speed and capacity of the vessel.
“The question is: are we considering or being aware of such factors of life in relation to our country’s journey? Or are we simply enjoying a joy ride in a sleek vessel named ‘Miss Anguilla’? Do we consider the adversities and challenges that present themselves against us? These are adversities and challenges that we must guard against to effect a successful journey.”
The Pastor continued: “We know that one of the key pieces of equipment on a ship is the rudder or helm. One can have a most beautiful vessel, the most powerful engine, and even a well polished steering wheel. But if the ship is without a rudder, it is directionless. It is left to the whims and fancies of the strongest winds and the highest waves.”
“We as a country must have a well-defined and maintained rudder,” he said, “to guide us through the turbulent seas of this troubled and unpredictable world. It is not just politics or economics, but it must be a full recognition and respect for the God of creation. He is the Mater of our destinies – the Master of the destinies of peoples and countries. God must be our Captain and His time-tested inerrant word must be our rudder and guide for the true success of our country…”
“The Bible is the final authority on life and it highlights to us the importance of respecting and being guided by the rudder, the Word of God,” he declared. “How often have we heard our parents and grandparents [of an era past] warned us: ‘the ship that is not guided by the rudder, the rocks will pick it up.’ And so, the country that is not guided by the rudder of God’s word will certainly face such a predicament.
“As we navigate Miss Anguilla, through the unrelenting seas of life, the rudder of God’s Word will guide us away from various treacherous rocks that we must avoid. There are a few big rocks jutting out of the Anguillian seas that, if not shunned, will certainly break the bow and rip the hull of our priceless vessel.”
“Pastor Harrigan painstakingly pointed out notable destructive rocks by listing a few of the vices that would inhibit the country from reaching an honourable destiny. He emphasised that, as Proverbs 14:34 puts it, “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.”
At the end of the sermon, the choir led the song, “Jesus Saves”. The closing prayer was offered by pastor Dwayne Adams, the national song was sung, and the service ended with a vibrant recessional song, “Our Anniversary Song” written by Marvin Gumbs.
