August 2008 — Volume V - the Methodist Church - LID

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Methodist Methodist Link Link THE METHODIST LINK Is a Quarterly Publication of the Methodist Church, Leeward Islands District Conference Publisher Leeward Islands District Resources Centre General Editor Rev. Franklyn E. Manners Editorial Assistant Mr. Frank A. Arnell Editing Committee Rev. E. Lloyd Brissett Clinton J. Spring Richard White Manager Rev. Franklyn E. Manners Circulation Mr. Frank A. Arnell Address Philipsburg Methodist Church Complex, Back Street 91, P.O. Box 19 Philipsburg, St. Maarten Netherlands Antilles Tel: (599) 542-1348 Fax: (599) 542-1349 E-mail: methodistlidrc@hotmail Prayer May the love of the Father enfold me, the wisdom of the Son enlighten me, the fire of the Spirit enflame me; and may the blessing of triune God rest on me, and abide with me, now and evermore. Amen Sis. Rowena Carty Becomes a Nonagenarian O n 15th April 2008 at 5:00 p.m., a capacity congregation of family and friends assembled at the Zion Methodist Chapel, North Hill, Anguilla, to celebrate with Sis. Rowena Carty, widow of the late Rev. C. Leonard Carty, her 90th birthday The service was moderated by the Rev. Cecil O.A. Weekes who also delivered the opening prayer. The homily was delivered by Rev. Joseph Lloyd who also gave the dedicatory prayer invoking God’s blessing upon, and seeking His guidance in the years ahead for Sis. Rowena. Page 2 Si.s Rowena Carty Apology was made by the Rev. Careen White, circuit minister, on behalf of the superintendent Rev. Dr. H. Clifton Niles, who, due to a prior engagement was unavoidably absent. She also extended welcome to the congregation and tendered greetings and congratulations to Sis. Rowena on behalf of the circuit. Looking very radiant, Sis. Rowena was escorted up the aisle of the chapel which was ornately decorated, flanked by her sons Lenny and David, and took their seats close to the chancel. Lenny read the lesson from Proverbs 31: 10 – 20; 28 – 31 which lauded the virtues of a Godfearing wife and mother. David gave a fitting and moving tribute detailing the self-effacing and sacrificial nature of the service which Sis. Rowena gave over the years, to ensure their welfare and well-being; also of the unstinting service that she rendered as a preacher for the past 57 years, especially during the itinerancy of her late husband, Rev. C. Leonard Carty, to assist him in coping with his very demanding and exacting task. From David’s perspective no words spoken could express adequately and appropriately their fullest appreciation and gratitude to their mom. The Zion Choir, Zion Adventurers and Zion Youth Group offered tribute in song. A duet was rendered by Sis. Marva and Bro. Daryl Thompson. Bro. Hugo Rey, congregational steward, gave tribute on behalf of the Zion congregation of which Sis. Rowena has been a member since its inception. Floral presentations and a basket of fruits presented by Sis. Evalie Bradley on behalf of the local preachers marked a high point in the service. The hymns used, ‘Praise my soul the King of heaven,’ and ‘I sing the Almighty Power of God,’ were two favourites of Sis. Rowena, and were used at her request. Sis. Rowena responded to all that transpired, giving thanks to God for spared life, length of days, good health, lucidity of mind and mental faculties etc. Her praise also resounded in full measure of gratitude to all who participated in any way to make the service of thanksgiving possible. Following the Benediction the fellowship continued with a scrumptious meal and refreshments on the community playing field adjacent to the church.
Methodist Methodist Link Link Mandate for Mission (Continued from page 1) The church is, by these words of Jesus, mandated to go to all nations bearing the message of salvation through Jesus Christ. The commission is therefore a fitting conclusion to a Gospel which has consistently emphasized the missionary vocation of the church. The effect of this Commission on the life of the church has been far reaching. No part of the Bible with the possible exception of Epistle to the Romans has done more to give Christians a sense of their mission in the world and a vision of the world-wide church. The Acts of the Apostles detailed the growth and development of the church in its early stages, and culminates with the missionary journeys of St Paul which are in effect an enactment of the missionary mandate given by Jesus. Moreover, whenever the church takes the venture to take the Gospel to all nations it experienced Jesus’ promise: “I am with you always..” The Gospel of Matthew opened with the message that God is with us in the coming of Jesus (Matt: 1:23) and ended with the promise that the Risen Christ will always be with His disciples. What are the implications for Jesus’ GREAT COM- MISSION and promise for the church today? Are we still expected to go to all nations? Can we still expect Christ’s presence in all our endeavours? It is significant that Jesus’ GREAT COMMISSION was given at Galilee. It is significant because Galilee was that part of Palestine that lay closest to the Gentile regions. Galilee can be said to symbolize the Gentile world. (Matt 4: 14 – 16) It can be argued therefore that there could have been no more appropriate place than Galilee for Jesus to commission His disciples to take the Gospel to all nations It has been suggested that this commission to take the Gospel to all nations, given as it was, at Galilee, signaled a turning point in Jesus ministry and indeed in the message of the Gospel of Matthew. Was Jesus, by choosing to make this declaration in Galilee in the Gentile region, that the time had come for his disciples to do what He never did, except in reluctant anticipation, to GO TO THE GENTILES? Was Matthew, who, with few exceptions, most notably Matt10 – 6 and 15 : 24 had emphasized that Jesus’ earthly ministry was for Jews only, now showing that the Risen Jesus, has through his disciples, a ministry to the whole world? (vs. 19 -20). I believe that the answer to both questions is yes, and if so we as Christians are still under obligation to fulfill the GREAT COMMISSION. Page 3 Nor need we be daunted by the fact that the prospect of going into all nations with the Gospel seems so daunting. Yes, we live in an age of increasingly narrow loyalties, yes, we belong to a time when terrorism associated with religious fanaticism has bred suspicion and even animousity between people of different faiths, but it is precisely for these reasons that we need to revisit and rediscover the scope of Jesus’ saving activity and the yearning which motivated His Gospel and the efforts of the early evangelists. You may ask: Where might we begin our quest to take the Gospel to all nations? The answer: Look around you. In any one of our major cities there are representatives of many nations doing business on a daily basis. They operate shops (Continued on page 10) Rev. Dr. Hodge Celebrates 50 years of Ministry ev. Dr. Serchal Wilfred Hodge candidated for R ministry in 1955. He spent a pre-collegiate year in St. Maarten before proceeding to the United Theological Seminary in Jamaica for 4 years. He graduated magnum cum laude and received the six first prices offered by the Seminary. He also gained the diploma in Theology from the University of London while at Seminary. Rev. Dr. Hodge Dr. Hodge was first stationed in 1960 by the Provincial Synod to the Bahamas District and was eventually assigned to the Leeward Islands District where he served in the following Circuits: Dominica, St. Kitts, Nevis, St. Thomas/St. John, Montserrat, Antigua, St. Maarten/St. Martin, St. Croix, Aruba and Holland. Rev. Hodge served the Leeward Islands District Conference as general secretary of Finance and Property for over 20 years. In 1976 he served as Missioner to the North Indiana Conference of the United Methodist Church, and studied at Wesley Theological Seminary where he obtained the Doctor of Ministry degree in 1979. He did further post doctoral studies at Emory University including a course in Theological German. He was appointed in 1991 as Senior Methodist Tutor/Warden at the United Theological College in Jamaica from where he retired in 1997 Dr. Hodge resides in Anguilla his country of birth with his wife Jean. The celebration is on Sunday, 17th August 2008 at the Bethel Methodist Church at 4.30 p.m. on Anguilla.
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August 2008 — Volume V - the Methodist Church - LID

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