The Anguilla Circuit of the Methodist Church in the Caribbean and the Americas is hosting the 219th annual meeting and ninth Leeward Islands District Council this week.
The gathering, from 11 to 17 January, has brought together about 60 delegates, including clergy and lay members from 15 islands in the Caribbean and Holland.
The theme for the district council is, ‘Refuelling the revival: Rekindling faith, reigniting passion, repositioning the church for growth’.
During the welcome ceremony on Sunday, 12 January, Premier Ellis Webster said it was a pleasure to be at the newly renovated Bethel Methodist Church for the “great occasion”.
He said it has a special significance as on Thursday, 16 January, at 7pm, Anguillian, the Reverend Damien Hughes, will be inducted as district bishop.
The induction will take place at the Bethel Methodist Church, and connexional president, Bishop Juan Simpson, will be presiding.
Also the Reverend Morna Christmas-Frazer of Anguillian heritage is serving for the first time as conference secretary.
“As we come together in fellowship, may this gathering ignite each of us to strengthen our faith, to renew our mission, encourage the growth of our communities,” Webster said.
“I pray that your presence here will start a revival in Anguilla especially among our young people, that a spark will be ignited, that the holy spirit will be felt throughout this land and this region, and that God be lifted up.”
The council will conclude on Friday, 17 January, with a communion service at the Ebenezer Methodist Church in The Valley at 6am.
The delegates will then journey to the St Maarten Circuit to share in the Ordination Service of the Reverend Javed Intiaz.
The Anguilla Circuit of the Methodist Church consists of six congregations.
These are Ebenezer (The Valley), Bethel (South Hill), Immanuel (West End), Maranatha (Blowing Point), Zion (North Hill) and Trinity (Sandy Ground).
The welcome ceremony can be viewed in full below:
