Methodists in Anguilla have begun celebrating two hundred years of the ministry of their church on the island with a packed programme of activities climaxing in November this year with an Evangelistic Crusade.
The opening event was a joint service at Bethel Chapel, South Hill, on Sunday, January 6. In attendance were members from the six congregations as well as persons from other denominations on the island.
The officiating Clergy comprised the Reverend Dunstan Richardson, Superintendent of the Anguilla Circuit; three fellow stalwarts of the church, Supernumeraries Reverend Dr. H. Clifton Niles; Reverend Dr. S. Wilfred Hodge and Reverend Joseph Lloyd; and current Ministers Reverend Rose Marie Julius and Reverend Candis Niles (Minister-in-Training).
Convenor of the Steering Committee responsible for the anniversary programme, Kenn Banks, delivered an abridged version of the history of the church entitled “200 Years of Methodist Witness In Anguilla 1813-2013: Transforming the Nation Through Witness and Service.” He gave an account of the establishment of Methodism in Anguilla by an Anguillian, John Hodge, a free coloured man and a cock-fighter turned preacher, who largely spread the ministry among slaves on the island.
The sermon was delivered by Rev. Dr. Wilfred Hodge. “Anniversaries are golden opportunities to reminisce,” he said. “To look back and reflect on the many good things that have been accomplished, to observe the mistakes we have made, to see the way we have travelled and to recognise the guiding hand of God, to remember those who travelled the way with us – those who are still with us and those no longer with us.”
Reverend Hodge continued as follows: “We have met today to begin our celebration of two hundred years of Methodist witness in Anguilla. There is much for us to celebrate. We call upon all our Methodist people to bring their family and friends to join the celebration and share our jubilation. It is going to be a very special year, for Methodism is two hundred years this year.
“It all began in 1813 when a free young Anguillian, by the name of John Hodge, whose past time was cock-fighting, travelled either to St. Barths or St. Eustatius. There he encountered Methodist communities and came under their influences. Having heard the Gospel proclaimed for the first time, John Hodge became a converted Methodist Christian. He returned to Anguilla with the flame of God in his heart, and a burning zeal for the souls of men. He felt like Paul – ‘a necessity is laid upon me, and woe is me if I preach not the Gospel’.
“There were many slaves living in Anguilla at that time, without God and without religion. It is written that the slaves were conducting themselves in habitual violation of the whole system of morality. John Hodge could not just go and preach to them. He had to seek permission from the authorities to do so. He had to get a license to preach in the open air. That license was granted. So began the Methodist witness in Anguilla. Within a short while hundreds of slaves were converted, and the immorality, drunkenness and cursing almost vanished from among the slaves. A new day had dawned in Anguilla. Methodism was born, and the island would never be the same again.”
Rev. Hodge said that this year the celebration of the two hundredth anniversary of the church was an expression of thanks to all ministers and lay persons for having kept alive the flame kindled by John Hodge. “As part of that history, the Methodist Church has sent forth sixteen ministers to be ordained to serve the church in the Caribbean and beyond,” he pointed out. “Our beloved church has played a significant role in the political, economic, educational and social life of this little island. We have much to be thankful for and much to celebrate.”
Rev. Hodge referred to three areas of church life which he described as unfinished tasks. The first was the need for parents and other adults to continue to bring up children in the church and to nurture them in the Christian faith. The second was the need for strong family life and pride in homes, teaching children good manners and respect for others, reverence for God and human life. The third was the need for church membership and attendance.
“I love my Methodist Church and my Methodist people, but sometimes their actions and their speech make one sad,” Rev. Hodge went on. “I have a vision, a dream of what the Methodist Church can become…That one day, sooner rather than later, people will be streaming to the doors of Ebenezer, Trinity, Bethel, Maranatha, Zion and Immanuel.
“Anguilla is a beautiful island, filled with buildings. I have a dream that one day all who dwell in those lovely buildings will come streaming to the houses of God that they might know His will; and Anguilla will be filled with the glory of God as the waters cover the sea.”
In addition to Sunday’s opening church service, the rest of the 200th anniversary programme will be as follows: the publication of a series of essays, historical extracts, mission statements and other articles in the local news media; the launching in August of an anniversary magazine to coincide with the anniversary of the emancipation of slavery, as the church’s membership was drawn mainly from the slave population of Anguilla; the Rev. John Hodge Lecture Series – to be delivered in February, May, August and October by Ministers and scholars of the church; a cultural evening, on Aldersgate Sunday, commemorating the conversion of John and Charles Wesley, and including dramatic presentations, poems and negro spirituals; a music festival in September, with performances by senior, junior and youth choirs in the circuit; a St. Martin-Anguilla Founder’s Day visit in June in recognition of the role played by John Hodge who also planted the Methodist Witness in St. Martin; an awards banquet and a thanksgiving service in October with invitations to the President of the Leeward Islands District and the Connexional President; a 200-membership drive throughout the year; and in November, a number of stewardship activities climaxing with an Evangelistic Crusade.
