On the evening of Thursday November 30, 2023, an appreciative crowd of members and friends gathered at the Ebenezer Methodist Church for a service of thanksgiving and celebration in honour of Rev. Vincia Celestine, Superintendent Minister of the Methodist Church Anguilla Circuit, and the first female to serve in this capacity in the Anguilla Circuit.
Rev. Celestine who hails from Dominica has been serving the Methodist Church since 1993 after completing studies at the United Theological College of the West Indies (UTCWI). She was ordained in the Diaconate Ministry in 1996 and as an Itinerant Presbyter in 2005.
During her 30 years, Rev. Celestine served in the following Circuits/Districts in the MCCA:-
• 1993-2004 – Guyana District
• 2004-2008 – Dominica Circuit
• 2008-2015 – Guadeloupe Mission
• 2015 – 2021 – St. Eustatius Circuit
• 2021-2023 (Present) – Anguilla Circuit
The service held in her honour was chaired by Sis. Simone Connor a Congregation Steward in the Maranatha Congregation. Rev. Wilmoth Hodge, Chairman Anguilla Christian Council, Pastor Phillip Gumbs; Chairman Anguilla Evangelical Association and Maria Hughes, Circuit Steward Anguilla Circuit, brought greetings and congratulatory remarks. Family members in Dominica also presented video tributes.
In addition, sharing in the service were Rev. Candis Niles who led the Opening Prayers. Sis Lylith Mussington and members of the Praise team led praise and worship with musical accompaniment by Bro. Lennox Vanterpool and other musicians from the Circuit.
Bro. Leeford Gumbs of the Ebenezer Congregation directed and produced a video reflection of the Reverend’s 30 years of ministry in which she shared an account of her life, ministry and plans for the future.
Bro. Lindsay K. Richardson presented the message for the evening in which he focused on the work a Minister is engaged in. He noted that it is be rewarding, it can be overwhelming at times. He encouraged Rev. Celestine to take care of herself and not allow the work to burn her out. He shared candidly his experiences as a Minister who served in other countries. He also encouraged members to pray for their Ministers and to reach out in love and concern for them as they are humans first.
Circuit Stewards, Maria Hughes and Bro Valentine Banks presented Rev. Celestine with a bouquet of flowers and a plaque.
In her response, Rev. Celestine expressed appreciation to God for his goodness towards her over her years of Ministry. She paid homage to her parents and enablers who have gone on who encouraged her during her studies and years of ministry. She also expressed thanks to those who planned the service in celebration of her years of ministry.
– Contributed
