This year the Methodist Church is celebrating two hundred years of Methodism in Anguilla which was pioneered by a Layman whose name was John Hodge.
As part of the celebrations, four presentations – called the John Hodge Lectures – have been arranged. They are based on fundamental themes of the Protestant Faith of which the Methodist Church is a part. The first in the series of lectures was delivered by Reverend Dr. Serchal W. Hodge at Bethel Methodist Church on Sunday, March 17. The topic was “The Priesthood of All Believers.”
His presentation called to memory the powerful Roman Catholic Church at a time when priests, among other matters, were of the view that they alone had access to God and could even forgive the sins of the people. It was a belief that was challenged by Martin Luther and led to the reformation from which the Methodism emerged.
The remaining John Hodge Lectures will be delivered as follows: June 16 at Ebenezer by Reverend Cecil Weekes who will speak on “Authority of Scriptures”; August 16 at Immanuel by Reverend Joseph Lloyd on “Ministry of the Whole Church”; and September 22 at Bethel by Reverend Dr. H. Clifton Niles on the topic “Salvation By Faith.” All lectures will commence at 4.30 pm.
It is planned to have the lectures published for wider distribution.
