The Department of Social Development in Anguilla observed the opening of Social Work Week last Sunday, March 14th, with a special church service at the Outreach Baptist Church in The Water Swamp.
The Outreach Baptist Church is a fairly new ministry to the realms of religious denominations in Anguilla, with a friendly and courteous congregation whose inspirational songs and special sacred music warm the hearts of its visitors. Each visitor is recognised as an honoured guest.
Sunday’s special music included the traditional crucifixion classic, “He Could Have Called Ten Thousand Angels”, sung by the husband-and-wife duo, Don and Desiree Duncan, as well as Donnie McClurkin’s “The Prayer”, rendered by Shervin Henry.
The leader of the church, Pastor Dr. Cecil Richardson, extended a warm and cordial welcome to the visitors from the Department which he considered to be an important arm of the community that watches out for the wellbeing and care of persons who are affected by crises — and various strains of hardship in social life. He also gave a special welcome to the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Bonnie Richardson-Lake, as well as to the Department’s Commissioner, Ms. Lauraine Gumbs.
Ms. Gumbs then addressed the congregation as she spoke of the essential work of the Department of Social Development: “We are indeed happy to be here worshipping with you this morning,” she expressed. “I would like to thank our Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Bonnie Richardson-Lake, our Social Development Planner, Mrs. Keisha Gumbs-Bibby, the staff of the Department and the care workers at the places of safety, for being present here today.
“Celebrated each March, National Social Work Month gives an opportunity for social workers across the world to turn the spotlight on the profession and highlight the important contributions that they make to society. Today marks the commencement of Social Work Week with Tuesday March 16th being Social Work Day. This year, we celebrate under the theme, ‘Social Workers are Essential’. Pandemic aside, social workers assist the misfortunate as they work alongside those who are experiencing any one, or more, of a range of challenging situations such as illness, disability, poverty, abuse and discrimination.”
She emphasised that social workers must work with whatever limited resources they may have in an effort to mitigate the effects of such challenges: “We do our best to work with our resources to remove barriers and reduce environments that impact the functioning of those who require our assistance. Social workers are the largest group of mental health service providers. We confront some of the most challenging issues facing individuals, families, communities and society. We forge solutions that help the unfortunate to reach their full potential — yet, we are so easily forgotten.”
She continued by emphasizing that despite the notion that social workers were not considered “essential”, the Department of Social Development continued to be active even during the shutdown brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic: “During this pandemic, the doors of our department remained physically opened,” she noted, “but, for so many, we were still not considered as being ‘essential workers’. We may not be nurses or doctors, but ‘essential’ is really not about being on the frontline or receiving special privileges…In fact, at times we are overlooked in key discussions, or even when it comes to receiving due recognition, as our work is often thankless and misunderstood.”
Ms. Gumbs went on: “Given the current state of the world, it seems that there is no better time than now to take the opportunity to shine some light on how essential social workers are to the communities we are so eager to serve. It is a privilege to be a witness to someone’s story when they may not have had the opportunity to tell it before.” “This is the foundation and the culmination of our work,” she stressed.
The sermon, preached by Pastor Cecil, reflected such qualities akin to the characteristics of good social workers and, in particular, those who have a relationship with Jesus Christ. His text was taken from Matthew 25, where the scripture stipulates that when Christ, the King, returns His believers who have done service to Him for the benefit of others will receive their just rewards:
“‘Then the King will say to those on his right: ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Take your inheritance, the kingdom, prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat; I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink; I was a stranger and you invited me in; I needed clothes and you clothed me; I was sick and you looked after me; I was in prison and you came to visit me…Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’”
The Pastor highlighted the point that anyone can “be good” to his or her neighbour; but the person who has a relationship with Christ would do good, as Christ would do — and as those who are tasked with responsibility for carrying out social work would do.
The visiting social workers were inspired by the sermon, and they were encouraged by the service in general.
– Staff Reporter, James R. Harrigan
