The Tribune

KEVIN Ryan, president of the Anglican Church Men, recently visited Providenciales in the Turks and Caicos Islands to install a new ACM branch on the island. At the Anglican Church of St Monica in Providenciales, he attended a special mass on Sunday, October 3, when he presented the members of the new branch and its executives to the rector, Rev Father Bernard Been, for induction and installation. Father Been received the members and installed the officers encouraging each in their respective positions to carry out their duties to the best of their ability. Installed were president Eugene Burns; vice-president Wayne Garland; secretary Allan Robinson; assistant secretary Alvin Garland; treasurer Avi Adams; assistant treasurer Manfsred Smith; Chaplin Chester Delancy, and special adviser Tony Garland. In his homily Father Been encouraged the men to follow the pattern of manhood set by Christ. "Remember that this is an historical moment in the life of this wonderful congregation as this helps to mark our 150th celebration. Remember that Christ Himself is depending on each of you to live out your objective and in so doing impact your homes, your church, your community and your world," said Father Been. The new executives were welcomed by President Ryan, who encouraged them to grow from strength to strength. He directed them to strive to raise the spiritual awareness of members and actively respond to the needs of the parish and community at large. The focus of the new Anglican Church Men (ACM) branch will be a Big Brother/Little Brother Programme. The aim of the programme is to show young boys the way of manhood, within the church and in the wider community. President of the ACM Eugene Burns reminisced on how the organisation came about. He said back in 2008, he, with five other men from the parish, began to meet twice a month for the purpose of fellowship, prayer, and study, and to discuss ways to assist the church. "It was in 2010 after Father Been was instituted as rector and priest in charge of the Church of St. Monica, that he issued a challenge to the Men's Fellowship to take it to higher heights and to become a branch of the ACM," said Mr Burns. The men accepted the challenge and were very excited about it. Mr Burns said within several months the numbers grew in Men's Fellowship. The fellowship evolved, and is now governed by the constitution of the ACM. President Burns said the Big Brother Programme is something they are eagerly anticipating. "The Programme will have a positive impact on the lives of the young men, in particular the troubled young men and the communities in which they reside in this country and in the Bahamas," he said.