The Methodist Church - Leeward Islands District Conference [MCCA]

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THE METHODIST LINK
Is a Quarterly Publication of the Methodist Church,
Leeward Islands District Conference
Publisher
Leeward Island District Resources Centre
General Editor
Rev. Keith B. Lewis
Editorial Assistant
Mr. Frank A. Arnell
Graphics & Design
Rev. Keith B. Lewis
Manager
Rev. Selwyn L. Vanterpool
Circulation
Rev. Florence E.C. Daley
Address
Phillipsburg Methodist Church Complex
Back Street 91, P.O. Box 19
Phillipsburg, St. Maarten
Netherlands Antilles
Tel: (599) 542-1348
Fax: (599) 542-1349
E-mail: methodistdrc@sintmaarten.net
methodistlidrc@hotmail.com
By: Rev. Stephane G. Brooks
Guadeloupe Mission
ome September 1, the Methodist Mission in Guadeloupe
C will be celebrating its 4th anniversary.
Thus far, the Mission is made up mainly of immigrants of
Haitian origin and St. Martiners residing in Guadeloupe, two
groups that have gravitated naturally towards the Mission
since some were already members of the Methodist church,
while others were seeking a church family.
The work in Guadeloupe is first and foremost one of pioneering.
Indeed, three/four years ago, the work was started
from scratch. Today, after much struggle, the Sunday gathering
is comprised of an average of 70 persons who come together
for worship and church schools. Weekly, four groups
meet for home Bible Studies, discussion and prayer, gatherings
that have proven to be great tools for community building
and faith development.
Unfortunately, the work of the Mission has been hindered by
the fact that close to 90% of its members/friends live in remote
areas. In order to address this, steps have been taken
to acquire a property in a location that is much more appropriate.
From there, it is believed that the ministry of the Methodist
church in Guadeloupe will be taking on another dimension.
The mission also faces other challenges among which we can note the following:
Guadeloupe is Roman Catholic territory (about 90% of the population claims membership in that
group). Though officially, there is separation of state and religion, Roman Catholicism is the state religion
with all the benefits that this includes. Religious hostility is very much alive and it is a known fact,
that in French territories, any religious group that is non Roman Catholic is viewed with suspicion. The
legal framework in which religious groups operate in the French system is totally different from that in
which they operate in the English speaking islands. Other protestant leaders, in the quest to fill their
churches, are fully engaged in sheep stealing and the slandering of other religious groups.
This is the context of the Guadeloupe mission and, with all this in mind, its objectives for the coming
church year are (1) to continue to consolidate what exist; (2) to further engage in evangelism and outreach;
(3) to further develop the ministry to children and young people.
St. Eustatius Circuit Celebrates 200 Years
uring the month of June 2005 the St. Eusta-
D tius Circuit held a weeklong programme to
celebrate its 200th anniversary.
Among the activities were a special know your
church competition, a Bicentennial Dinner and
concert. A walkathon and breakfast on Saturday
was well attended. On Sunday, a parade was held
with the St. Kitts and Nevis Defense Band, Boys’
and Girls’ Brigade and other uniformed groups of
the Methodist Church. A youth group gave demonstrations
about slavery during the parade. The
heavy rain fall during that week, did not dampen
the spirit of the members celebrating the occasion.
To conclude the celebration, Jeems and Bethel
congregations came together for a Service of
Thanksgiving on Sunday afternoon, June 19,
which was conducted by the Connexional President
of the Methodist Church in the Caribbean
and the Americas, Rev. Dr. George Mulrain, residing
at the President’s residence at Scott’s Hill,
Antigua.
By Rev. Florence E.C. Daley—Director LI-DRC
Activities at District Resources Centre (DRC)
eadership Training workshops were held in the
L St. Maarten/St. Martin Circuit on April 9th &
23rd and in the BVI Circuit May 23 - 27, 2005.
The Training Workshop in St. Maarten/St. Martin
Circuit concluded a three Phase Training that
started in 2003/2004 Church Year and covered
the following topics:
Team Leadership;
Interpersonal relations;
Improving the Class Meetings;
Leadership development - essential
qualities of a leader - costs/tests of
Leadership;
Communication;
Managing change;
Managing conflict;
Managing your time, your work, your
money, yourself;
Resource and Development (continued from page 1)
We ask each Circuit, and where possible, Congregations
as well, to ensure that all preparations
are made to use the Quick Books programme as
of September 1, 2005.
If additional information is needed, please consult
the District Treasurer, Sister Muriel Smith in
St. Thomas. You may wish to ask her about a
diskette, and the Payment Voucher form to be
used throughout. Do remember, we are moving to
a new level at the beginning of the New Church
Year, and so this is a special appeal to Circuit and
Congregational Stewards.
A few reminders:
i. Do remember to forward 29% of this year’s
Mission money to the Treasurer immediately,
so that we can close the purchase of the property
in Guadeloupe without further delay. All
the legal work has already been completed.
ii. By March 2005, all Circuits were to pay to the
Wesleyan Corporation the full premium for insuring
the various properties. Circuits were
also asked to pay up all outstanding debts. It
may be better for you to pay in advance in
monthly installments.
iii. We agreed to go all out to ensure that Certificates
/ Deeds for all properties were available
and secured. Have you made any progress?
Please note the date for your Circuit to be audited,
and do your best to be ready.
In the BVI Circuit the following topics were covered:
Team Leadership;
Essential qualities of a leader;
Costs/test of leadership;
Interpersonal Relations;
Improving the Class Meeting.
A total of 93 persons benefited from these training
workshops. #4 plus in St. Maarten/St. Martin
and 78 in the BVI Circuit.
It is hoped that those who attended will share the
information with others and implement the knowledge
gained so that the classes, congregations
and circuits will benefit in a positive way.
Welcome
We are pleased to welcome back to the District,
Rev. Peterson Joseph and his family residing in
the Antigua Circuit;
Rev. Harold Gill and his family residing in the Nevis
Circuit -
Rev. James Timothy residing in the Dominica Circuit.
Your continued prayers are asked on their behalf
as they recuperate from recent illnesses.
Congratulations to Rev. Niles …….
On Saturday, 14 May 2005 the Rev. Jefferson
Niles graduated from the University of the United
States Virgin Islands (St. Thomas) with a Master
of Arts in Education (MAE) degree. He majored in
Counseling.
The entire District expresses congratulations to
Rev. Niles and his family on this achievement.
District and Regional gatherings
District Youth Leaders Training Seminar (DYLTS)
meet in the Nevis Circuit from 18-28 July 2005.
MCCA Women Assembly meets in Barbados from
20-25 July 2005
District Men Work Commission meet in the Nevis
Circuit from 26-28, July 2005.