Methodists were encouraged to be visionary and bold in the proclamation of the Gospel to demonstrate compassion for those in need during the hard, recessional times by veteran minister of the gospel, Reverend Joseph Emmette Weir.
The president emeritus of the Methodist Conference of The Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands spoke during the 200th annual session of the Methodist Church in The Caribbean and the Americas (MCCA) in Grand Bahama. While telling Methodists to be sensitive to the message of the spirit, Rev. Weir told them to work and pray for unity and cooperation with all people.
During the conference which was held under the theme "Pursuing our mission through a culture of partnership", Rev. Kenneth Lewis, a presbyter in the Grand Bahama circuit was ordained. Administrating the Act of Ordination and delivering the charge to the ordination was the Rev. George Mulrain, president of the MCCA.
Rev. Mulrain told the conference that partnership is what Methodism has been built on and that congregation and circuit are in partnership and that circuits and districts are in partnership. And that the extent of one unit's contribution to the partnership is immaterial. He said that each one's input is of value and that what is critical is that all acknowledge themselves as contributors as they need each other. Methodists were reminded that the key is togetherness, and that togetherness is in line with the prayer of Christ for unity in the church.
During the conference, Rev. Hilgrove Hamilton, pastor at St. Andrew's Methodist Church in Hawksbill, Grand Bahama, was recognized for his contribution to the spiritual development of many members of the church.
Methodists also took their witness to the streets with a march from the church on Beachway Drive, that took them along East Sunrise Highway, Coral Road, Gambier Drive and back to the church.
Trial services for the Rev. Claire Robinson and Rev. Julia Williams, two of the three female ministers of the Gospel serving in the conference (Rev. Emily Demeritte also serves) were also held at St. Paul's Methodist Church.
Presiding over the daily sessions of the Conference was Rev. Derek C.O. Browne, president of The Bahamas, Turks and Caicos Islands Conference of the MCCA. He was assisted by Vice President Judy Munroe.
The first Methodist conference was convened in 1812 in Rock Sound, Eleuthera. They have been held every year since. That foundational Synod (as it was then known) was convened under the leadership of the Rev. William Turton, revered as "the apostle to The Bahamas".
 
 
 
 

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