On the evening of Sunday 2nd August, the Methodist Church in Anguilla celebrated Emancipation Day with a special service at the Bethel Chapel in South Hill under the theme ‘Lift Every Voice’. Slavery was abolished in the former British colonies on 1 August 1834 after a lengthy campaign by several abolitionist groups which included the Methodist Church. In many of the other colonies there was a four-year period of apprenticeship when the former slaves continued to provide labour to their former owners. However, in Anguilla this was not implemented, as the planters left the island immediately after emancipation.
The programme was centred around historical and religious reflections on the pre and post-emancipation eras which were presented by the Revs Wycherley Gumbs, Candis Niles and Wilmoth Hodge. These were interspersed with poems by the children of each of the congregations in the circuit and one written and presented by Dr Lindel Brooks.
The musical compliment included special items by the Bethel Choir, who also read several passages of scripture on the theme of freedom. The congregational singing included negro spirituals like ‘Lift Every Voice and Sing’, also referred to as the ‘Black National Anthem’. A spirited liturgical dance which was performed by the Girls’ Brigade Company from the Zion Congregation was well received by those present.
The programme ended with brief remarks by Rev E. Dunstan Richardson who also offered the closing prayer.
18 August 2020
- Press Release
