On Monday 11 January 2021 the Anguilla Circuit hosted the first virtual welcome service of the District Conference of Leeward Islands District (LIDC) of the Methodist Church in the Caribbean and Americas. The Conference was scheduled to be held in Anguilla this year but due to the COVID19 pandemic it now is being held virtually. The Conference brings together clergy and lay delegates from the fourteen Circuits of the LIDC who were all viewing the service which was streamed live on Facebook and YouTube from the Ebenezer Methodist Chapel on the Rev John Hodge Road in The Valley.
The delegates have been meeting in the various sub-committees since December 2020 but the Conference began in full session on Monday 11th January where the reports of the mission and witness of the church for the past year are being presented and discussed and recommendations will be made to the Circuits for the coming year.
While the service was conducted in Anguilla there was wide participation from around the District: The welcome and roll call of Circuits was presented by Rev Dr Joan Delsol Meade, Secretary of the LIDC from the Holland Circuit; greetings from the Connexional Conference by Ms. Yonette Greaves, Connexional Vice President, MCCA out of Guyana District; the scripture readings were read in Dutch, and French by Conference Delegates from the Holland Circuit and Guadeloupe Mission respectively; Songs Of Praise, Worship and Fellowship were led by Immanuel House Band of the St Kitts Circuit; and the Sermon was delivered by Bishop The Reverend Charles A. Seaton, President of the LIDC, who is based in St Thomas, under the theme, ‘Victory in the Midst of Disaster’
Officiating in the service from Anguilla were: Local Presbyter the Rev Wilmoth Hodge, who chaired the service; Superintendent Minister the Rev E Dunstan Richardson; the Rev Joseph R Lloyd, retired minister; and Local Presbyter, The Rev. Candis Niles. Also in attendance was retired Methodist Minister the Rev John A Gumbs.
The music ministry was delivered by the Anguilla Circuit Choir under the dynamic leadership of Brother Devaunie Richardson.
The Conference will conclude on Friday January 15th with the traditional Conference Communion Service which will also be streamed live but from the St. Thomas Circuit.
– Press Release
