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ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Conaree Wesleyan Holiness
Church is this year celebrating its 40th Anniversary. On Wednesday 25th June
2008 a Thanksgiving Service was held at the Church. The grand event commenced
at approximately 7:45 p.m. with the procession of the Ladies Chorale who sang
the Introit Praise Ye the Name of the Lord. The Event’s Chairman Bro. Winston
Phillip requested the congregation to stand, as the prayer of thanksgiving was
said by the first Pastor of the Church the Rev. Ms. Hazel Harris who is now
retired and resides in Nevis.
The Congregation then joined in
the singing of the Hymn Great is Thy Faithfulness. Rev. Sonia Herbert read
Greetings from District Superintendent Rev. Sylvester Herbert who was unable to
attend. A beautiful rendition was given by the Instruments of Peace. The group
received a thunderous applause for their rendition. A most appropriate Poem
summarizing the existence of the church written by Carol Phillip-Tudor entitled
Cathedral Threads was read by her sister Paulette Phillip. An informative
History of the Church followed and was delivered by Pastor Desmond Hobson. An
impressive Dance was done by Junelle Liburd and Jewel Morris (J & J) and an
appropriate rendition of the song We’ve come this far by faith was sung by the
Wesleyan Youths.
Congratulatory speeches were
delivered from Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Sam Condor, Parliamentary
Representative Hon Cedric Liburd, Leader of the People’s Action Movement Mr.
Lindsay Grant, and Secretary of the Evangelical Association Bishop Ron Collins.
All speeches were upbeat and praises and commendation were lauded on the church
for its role in the Conaree and its environs.
The large congregation included
the Governor General Sir Cuthbert Sebastian, Rev. Marva Jenkins, Dr. & Mrs.
Vincent Liburd, Mrs. Willa Liburd, Mr. Ersdaile Seaton, Mr. Tony Hendrickson and
Ms. Vera Caines all of the U.S.A., many other friends of the church, other
ministers and members of the Wesleyan Holiness Churches in St. Kitts and Nevis.
The packed church required
additional seating which extended to the grounds of the church under a large
tent which was mounted for that purpose. A large television screen was placed on
the grounds to facilitate the persons sitting under the tent.
One of the highlights at the
Thanksgiving Service was the Message by the Special Guest Speaker the Rev. Dr.
Oldain P. Charles who was introduced by Sister Kathleen Hobson. Following his
introduction, the Rev. Dr. Oldain Charles Assistant General Superintendent of
the Wesleyan Churches in the Caribbean and former District Superintendent of the
St. Kitts District, delivered a dynamic and challenging Message. He spoke on
the theme Hitherto hath the Lord helped us. Everyone listened attentively as
this very timely message touched their very being. Indeed the Members were
encouraged to move the church forward to higher heights.
The Ladies Chorale then lustily
rendered the anthem Great is the Lord. The Church Pastor Rev. Mrs. Sonia Herbert
delivered the Vote of Thanks which was followed by the singing of the closing
Hymn To God be the Glory.
Indeed God has been good to the
Conaree Wesleyan Holiness Church and we give Him the glory for all the
challenges and accomplishments over these 40 years.
The Wesleyan Holiness Church of
this District comprising the islands of St. Kitts, Nevis, Saba and Anguilla is
this year celebrating its 100th Anniversary. A number of celebratory activities
are being held during the centennial year.
The Passing of the Torch has
been one of the activities when all churches had the privilege of receiving
and passing the Torch. On Sunday 14th September a delegation from the Barnes
Ghaut Wesleyan Holiness Church journeyed from Nevis to hand over the Torch to
the Pastor and Members of the Conaree Wesleyan Holiness Church where it was
lighted.
The handing over ceremony was
held outside of the Louisa Grant reschool. The congregation then marched through
the Village of Conaree accompanied by the sounds of the Hobson’s Musical Band.
Three young men of the Church
Javern Richardson, Daren Hobson and sprinter Delwayne Delaney who is well known
both in the local and International Sporting World as one of our Leading
athletes ran a relay with the Torch during the procession of the March.
On arrival at the church the
Torch was received at the entrance of the church by Bro. St. Clair Lewis one of
the Senior Members of the Church who then passed it on to one of the younger
members Sister Loleisha Codrington who mounted the Torch in place at the
Church.
On Sunday 28th September a
delegation from the Conaree Wesleyan Holiness Church then travelled to Nevis to
hand over the Torch to the Pastor and Members of the Cotton Ground Wesleyan
Holiness Church. The final handing over ceremony for the Torch will be held at
the Basseterre Wesleyan Holiness Church on Sunday 19th October, 2008.
The final Centennial activity
will be held on Sunday 25th October, in Dieppe which is the village where the
Wesleyan Holiness church began.
Sunday 12th October was Family
Sunday at the Conaree Wesleyan Holiness Church. The Morning Service was
conducted by Bro St. Clair Lewis and his family. The family must be
complimented for their role in the service. They also disclosed that it was the
first time they sang together as a family. We say thanks to the Lewis family.
Bishop Ron Collins delivered the sermon which was very informative, relevant and
dynamic. This message grasped the attention of every individual present, even
the children and youths were fully involved in the sermon. At the end of his
message Bishop Collins invited families to move to the altar for prayer.
Families did not hesitate to move forward in family groups. Bishop Collins said
these prayers and admonished everyone to fight for their families that God may
be with them and grant them wisdom and blessing. At the end of the service the
congregation, including the many visitors who were present expressed their
appreciation for such a timely message.
A Panel Discussion under the
theme Restoring Love to Family Relationships was held in the night. A number of
invitations were distributed to many individuals in the community. The hosting
of this activity was to reach out to families especially parents of the many
children who attend the Sunday school and the Church.
It was disappointing that two of
the Panelists were unable to attend however, they have both apologized and have
agreed to participate in another such event. The sole Panelist present was Mrs.
Leonie James who delivered a presentation which challenged the audience and
aroused a lively session of questions and answers which was moderated by the
Pastor, the Rev. Sonia Herbert. The atmosphere was cordial and persons related
experiences and situations which were crucial to family relationships. It was
agreed that other panel discussions will be held as there is definitely a need
for such open and informative interaction.
We give God thanks for a
wonderful Family Sunday and we are pleased to know that many families were
touched by the day’s activities.
On Sunday 9th November, 2008 the
church will celebrate its Annual Harvest Thanksgiving. The morning service will
be at 11:00 a.m. and the Harvest Thanksgiving program will be held at 4:00 p.m.
The church year November 2007 –
October 2008 is now winding down. The election of officers for the new church
year has begun. The Annual Church Conference will be held on 18th November,
2008.
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