March - May 2006 - Volume IV: Issue 14 - the Methodist Church - LID

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Methodist LINK Page 2 THE METHODIST LINK Is a Quarterly Publication of the Methodist Church, Leeward Islands District Conference Publisher Leeward Island District Resources Centre General Editor Rev. Claudine Glasgow-Brooks Editorial Assistant Mr. Frank A. Arnell Manager Rev. Selwyn L. Vanterpool Circulation Mr. Frank A. Arnell Address Philipsburg Methodist Church Complex Back Street 91, P.O. Box 19 Philipsburg, St. Maarten Netherlands Antilles Tel: (599) 542-1448 Fax: (599) 542-1349 E-mail: methodistlidrc@hotmail Website: www.mcca-lid.org Rev. Franklyn Manners is President - elect onference 2006 desig- C nated Rev. Franklyn Manners as president - elect. He will assume office on 1st September next. Sincere congratulations are extended to him. We pray God’s richest blessings upon him and seek His guidance especially in the months of preparation which lie ahead. Prayerful Thoughts …... et us continue to remember L our Ministers in prayer and in particular the Rev. Dr. James Timothy and others who may be ill at this time. Congratulations! r. Raymonde I.V. Rohan, D completed her internship at the University Hospital of the West Indies at Mona Jamaica and is currently employed by the Nevis Island Government as a Medical Doctor at the Alexandra Hospital. Besides her medical skills. Raymonde is a fine classical and soprano singer and was the main entertainer at the Gala Dinner for Conference 2006. She is the daughter of Revs. Alberic and Joyce Rohan. Methodist Church - Leeward Islands District Conference Communion Service Sermon preached by the Rev. Joseph R. Lloyd Thursday, 26 th January, 2006 6:15 a.m. at St. Johnston Methodist Chapel, Cardin Avenue, St. Kitts, W.I. The Rev. Joseph R. Lloyd is a Methodist Supernumerary Minister - residing on the island of Anguilla or the past ten (10) days the District Confer- F ence has been reviewing the work of the past Connexional year and formulating plans for the year(s) ahead. At some stages this review has proved increasingly difficult because of the inertia which seems to have become endemic in some Circuits, thereby precluding them from submitting relevant reports on time. Detailed examination of circuit reports received, has indicated that there are some positive developments which give cause for rejoicing and thanksgiving. On the other hand there are areas which give cause for concern. We rejoice at the steady development of the Guadeloupe Mission, and pray that with sustained interest and continued hard work, in the very near future this mission will be elevated to become the 16 th Circuit in the District. We are heartened by the expansion of the work in the Holland Circuit and trust that it will continue to expand so phenomenally that this District Conference will soon receive the urgent request for additional staff. Statistics of confirmed members reveal that over the years there has been a steady decline in several Circuits. Even in Circuits which register an increase, it is minimal when compared with the total number of persons in the community who claim Methodist affiliation. I share with you this extract which comes directly from one of the Circuit reports for 2004 – 2005. “The Circuit has shown an increase of twenty two (22) over last year‟s membership, but registered its concern for many of our membership who remain inconsistent and careless in attendance at, and involvement in the life of the church in general. The challenge therefore is to find innovative and creative ways of reaching those who are still at the gate. What is obvious is the need for evangelism to be taken more seriously, if the church is to experience more than just normal growth. Failure to address this inordinate slow rate of growth and to be satisfied with internal growth is to lose the vision of what the church is really about, and to sign the death warrant for the church‟s future” To my mind this pertinent observation could be aptly applied to the majority, if not all Circuits in the District. The time of our departure from this 2006 Conference to our respective Circuits is imminent. The question which should be uppermost in our minds is “What word have we received from the Lord by way of a challenge to share with our Circuits?” I trust that in waiting before God and listening intently we have received a new vision of His direction for us, and for the entire Church. The Circuit report from which I quoted earlier alluded to the necessity for innovation and creativity. I am convinced that God is calling us as individuals and as a church to seek to discover new ways of reaching out to the unconverted and of appealing to the rank and file within the church who are merely „fence sitters‟ or „pew warmers.‟ If we have spent ten (10) days in Conference sessions and are returning to our Circuits devoid of new vision, fresh resolve and determination to effect change where necessary, then all that has transpired here becomes an exercise in futility. Part of the reason for the slow growth within the church can be attributed to the fact that we have become turned in on ourselves. We have been inward – looking for too long. We have done certain things in the same way year after year without any visible result, yet we are reluctant to try something else. There are too many people within the Church – Officers and members – who resist change. Innovation and creativity are foreign words which find no place in their vocabulary. In his book, „A Ministry Renewed‟, Gordon E. Harris makes this observation: “If the church is to proclaim the gospel it must live by the gospel. This is not as easy as it sounds, for the gospel stands for ferment, renewal, for growth and for change. Above all, it stands for openness to the future and freedom from bondage to the past. All the New Testament images of salvation imply the destruction of an old existence and the creation of a new one. Christianity is a revolutionary movement and Jesus was the Revolutionary par excellence. But the last thing the Church, as an institution wants to do is to change.” May I submit that change is requisite not for the sake of change, but because in a swiftly progressing world, the church must not remain static, and she dare not. We must be conscious of the fact that God is calling us to new endeavours. We may be called upon to destroy, not that we (Continued on page 3) Methodist LINK Page 11 Superintendent Minister of the St. Kitts Circuit, Rev. Franklyn Manners addressing the audience at the Welcome Service. The Secretary of the Conference , Rev. Charles Seaton is seated at left. Flag Raising Ceremony Photo scenes of various events during Conference President of the Conference the Rev. Selwyn L. Vanterpool addressing the Conference at the Welcome Service. Procession of Witness through the streets of Basseterre Connexional President Rev. Dr . George Mulrain entertaining the audience at the Gala Dinner The Rev. David O. Davila Quinteros is now an ordained Local Presbyter, residing in the Holland (The Netherlands) Circuit. The Ordination Service of the Rev. David O. Davila Quinteros was one of the highlights of Conference. Photo shows “laying on of hands”. Adjacent photo, he is seen with his colleague, the Rev. Myrna A. Lake who will assume the responsibility for that Holland Circuit as of September 1, 2006. Dignitaries and delegates at Welcome service. From right to left, His Excellency the Governor General, Sir Cuthbert Sebastian, the Acting Prime Minister, Hon. Sam Condor and Mrs. Condor. Dr. Raymonde Rohan entertaining the audience at the Gala Dinner Head table at the Gala dinner Flag of the newest Circuit “St. Martin” being hoisted.
Methodist LINK Page 10 WOMEN’S WORK - Recommendations That the Leeward Islands District Conference send two delegates to the 11 th Assembly of the World Federation of Methodist and Uniting Church Women in Korea, July 11 – 17, 2006 That the next meeting of the District Women‟s Commission be held June 1 – 4, 2006 in the Anguilla Circuit. That the next Leeward Islands District Women‟s Seminar be held July 10 – 19, 2007 in the Dominica Circuit. That women‟s organizations and individuals be encouraged to contribute towards the development of the Vera Richardson Memorial Fund. Funds will be used for helping children and women. (See last year‟s minutes). All funds should be forwarded through the Circuit to the District Treasurer. The Committee further recommends that each Circuit Women‟s Commission shall 1. Organize a children‟s Weekend Camp (as a form of outreach) for the disadvantaged and children at risk in the wider community. 2. Conduct a survey of the talents and abilities of women with a view to using those gifts to help others and as an opportunity to involve women who are not meaningfully involved in the work of the Church. 3. Organize a competition among MCCA Women based on the successful fulfilment of the following:- i. Knowledge of the Bible and Hymn Book. ii. Know your Church. iii. Talents/skills iv. Service to the Church and Community MCCA Women‟s Commissions in each circuit will develop the specific guidelines to be used in judging, especially for (iii) and (iv) above, in order to select the winner. The winner will be “MCCA Woman of the year – for the _____________ Circuit” 4. Organize: (a) training in budgeting and investment for personal, family and organizational purposes (b) seminars on preparing for retirement 5. Organize activities to educate women on the role of MCCA Women in our Methodist heritage. 6. The Committee further recommends that two District representatives attend the first Connexional MCCA Women‟s Executive meeting for the new quinquennium 2005 – 2010 in Jamaica March 16 – 19, 2006. Women’s Work Calendar of Events 2006 February 26 - March 3 Week of Prayer March 3 Day of Prayer March 16 – 19 Connexional MCCA Women‟s Executive Meeting June 1 - 4 District Women‟s Commission Meeting in the Anguilla Circuit July 11 – 17 11 th Assembly of World Feder- ation of Methodist Uniting Church Women Jeju Island, South Korea. 2007 July 10 - 19 District Women‟s Commission & Leeward Islands District Women‟s Seminar in the Dominica Circuit. COMMEMORATION OF 200 TH ANNIVERSARY All circuits which were original members of the Antigua and St. Christopher Districts are kindly asked to explore the possibility of having their governments release a special issue of Commemorative stamps to mark the 200 th Anniversary of the Leeward Islands Districts. Please telephone: 340-774-6211 for further information. DRC Services The District Resources Centre as a vehicle for growth and development within the Leeward Islands District, offers the following services and items on sale. 1. Printing of magazines, brochures, booklets and flyers, etc. at affordable prices. 2. On sale - Hand-flags and large flags (Connexional); pins of the crest; Prayer-books. 3. Coming soon - Liturgical paraments (stoles, etc.) and Christian literature. More about the Guadeloupe Mission he Guadeloupe mission, a Dis- T trict outreach, has entered its 5th year of existence. Following a slow take off, today the regular group of worshippers is 70 with a total of about 100 persons gravitating around the mission. The mission has 3 Bible study / Prayer groups up and running; a monthly preachers’ class that con- Rev. Stephane Brooks Pastor of the Guadeloupe Mission. tributes to the development of 7 preachers; a special ministry to infants and their parents; church schools for all age groups (from 3 to 99) as well as the usual men’s, women’s and youth groups. Worship services are held weekly in Pointe-a-Pitre where persons mainly from Haiti, St. Martin, Dominica and Guadeloupe meet. On week days, various activities take place. Through the pastor, members and groups, the mission was able to minister to persons in the main hospital and in clinics in the Pointe-a-Pitre area. Of course, all is not rosy on this end, but we have great hope and great faith and, as we continue to move forward with the work, we still crave the financial assistance of our Caribbean brothers and sisters. We solicit your prayers for this Mission, for we are only now just beginning and we still have a very long road to travel. Methodist LINK Page 3 (Communion Sermon - continued from page 2) may leave a vacuum – but to replace with more suitable programmes and structures; to uproot not to fall into decay, but to replant more fruitfully in better soil; to change not just for sake of change – but because changing conditions demand changed strategies and approaches. We all need to examine ourselves to discover whether in fact we may not have hindered the progress of the gospel and the witness of the Church by our resistance to the „wind of change‟ and to the clear call of God to advance. Indeed, „Go forward‟ is God‟s imperative to the Church. ‘Forward be our watchword Steps and voices joined: Seek the things before us, Not a look behind. (MHB. 619 v 1a) I believe that God‟s imperative which must be conveyed to His Church in this Leeward Islands District is similar to that which was conveyed to Peter in Luke 5:4 “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” Peter was very reluctant to initiate Christ‟s command which in his mind he construed was likely to be unsuccessful. “Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets.” Though reluctant at first, he eventually submitted to Christ‟s imperative and it paid rich dividends. A story is told of a newly elected rector of an ancient university. In his inaugural speech he addressed her as if she were an old, old, lady. He begged her not to dwell on the centuries of the past, but to look to those that were to come; for, said he, “A university has no harbour.” This pertinent advice befits the Church - for the Church of Jesus Christ must dispense with complacency; she must never settle in any haven. God‟s word to His Church today is to leave the sheltered haven and to head for the deep blue seas. The Church is mandated by her Lord to embark upon a life of adventure. Such an exciting life will inevitably involve risk and sacrifice which will be costly. This is the way the Master went, should not the servant tread it still? Sometimes the church puts a stumbling – block in her own way. We forget that no man who puts his hand to the plough and looks back is fit for the kingdom. Bonhoeffer once said, “When Jesus calls a man, He bids him come and die.” The very thought of innovation and change strikes a crippling fear in the hearts of some people. They find themselves in a similar plight as that of the freed Israelites on their journey from Egypt to the Promised Land. They lacked courage, determination, and implicit trust in God to enable them to surmount hurdles which they would encounter. They preferred to remain victims of circumstance rather than to embrace and enjoy the freedom which God had wrought for them through His servant Moses. At a very crucial and critical moment the Israelites found themselves on the horns of a dilemma. On their heels was Pharaoh‟s army poised to overtake and re-capture them. Ahead of them was the Red Sea. They saw no possible way of escape. They bombarded Moses‟ ears with their lamentable cry. “Is it because there are no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? What have you done to us in bringing us out of Egypt? Is not this that we said to you in Egypt, „Let us alone and let us serve the Egyptians‟? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness. Moses assured the demoralized Israelites that God was with them and that if they trusted Him they would surely see His salvation. Moses sought direction from God. God‟s response was, “Why do you cry to me? Tell the children of Israel to go forward” Man‟s extremity is God‟s opportunity. Where the Israelites could see no way of escape, God provided a way, and delivered them miraculously. Analysis of the current situation in the life of this District reveals that there are some areas in the work which present grave cause for concern. Our ears must be alert and our minds attuned that we hear and discern the voice of God – a decisive voice entreating us to go forward despite the odds. My brothers and sisters, God‟s challenge to us this morning as it was to the Israelites in their predicament is to be bold and courageous; to be unswervingly loyal and obedient to Him. We are cognizant of the task which lies ahead and the hurdles which are likely to be encountered. Undaunted and undeterred we join with the apostle Paul in affirming: “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed but not driven to despair; cast down but not destroyed.” Every aspect of the Church‟s mission requires people who are totally and unconditionally committed to Christ and the work which He appoints. Circuit reports lament the dearth of workers in vital areas of the Church‟s life. Very often feelings of incompetence, pride or self-will, prevent people from answering God‟s call to service. Self must be completely erased from the picture and Christ must be elevated. Any person who has been soundly converted to Christ will allow Him to be pre-eminent in all things. As Theodore Monod expresses it in the last line of M.H.B. #170, it must be, “None of self and all of Christ.” However elaborate and grandiose the plans which we make for resuscitation of the work, and for expansion and outreach they will be doomed to failure, if within our circuits and congregations people are not totally and unreservedly committed to Christ and His work. Christ has many services to be done in and through His Church. In the Covenant Service we are reminded that some will be suitable to our tastes and compatible with our ambitions; others will be contrary to both. In some we may please Christ and ourselves at the same time. In others we cannot please Christ except by denying ourselves. Yet Christ will surely give us the strength and the grace to do all that He requires of us, as we consecrate ourselves to Him. What can we do to work God‟s work, to prosper and increase The brotherhood of all mankind – the reign of the Prince of peace? What can we do to hasten the time – the time that shall surely be, When the earth shall be filled with the glory of God, as the waters cover the sea? All we can do is nothing worth, unless God blesses the deed; Vainly we hope for the harvest-tide till God gives life to the seed; Yet nearer and nearer draws the time – the time that shall surely be, When the earth shall be filled with the glory of God, as the waters cover the sea. March we forth in the strength of God, with the banner of Christ unfurled, That the light of the glorious gospel of truth may shine throughout the world: Fight we the fight with sorrow and sin, to set their captives free, That the earth may be filled with the glory of God, as the waters cover the sea. (MHB #812 vs 3, 5, 4) Amen. Prayer Take thou ourselves, O Lord, heart mind and will; Through our surrendered souls thy plans fulfil We yield ourselves to Thee – time, talents all: We hear and henceforth heed thy sovereign call. Amen. District Clergy Members
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March - May 2006 - Volume IV: Issue 14 - the Methodist Church - LID

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