It is the custom of districts in the MCCA (Methodist Church in the Caribbean and the Americas) to host a welcome service for newly appointed pastors. Yes, I know, I've been here since June. It was difficult to find a time that would suit our District President, Dr. Lesley G. Anderson as well as the circuit and church calendars. (When you're flying from Belize, as Dr. Anderson was, it makes sense to combine as many meetings and functions as possible!)
Fellow circuit minister Rev. Juan Simpson conducted the service. Remarks were offered by Dr. Anderson and also Rev. Bernard Duncan, superintendent of the neighboring Roatan Circuit. Both Rev. Duncan and Dr. Anderson had served the church earlier in their ministries; their presence was something of a homecoming. I was then given the opportunity to reply. The service was truly a blessing to me.
Scripture lessons were Isaiah 6:1-8, 2 Corinthians 4:1-12 and John 21:15-19. The Utila Methodist Community College turned out in large numbers and offered special music. These, along with hymns and prayers, rounded out the service.
Following our time of worship we moved to the annex where several in the church had set up a nice reception.
My fellow pastors stayed with me at the mission house that night. I really enjoyed getting to know them. We all got up in time to make the 6:00a.m. (yawn) flight to La Ceiba where all but Rev. Duncan were involved in a day and a half of circuit meetings.
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Dr. Lesley G. Anderson, Rev. Bernard Duncan, Rev. Jeff Bennett and Rev. Juan Simpson pose for a photograph following the reception in the church annex. |
