The Tribune

On the Sunday attributed to Mothering Sunday, women throughout the Anglican parish of St Peter’s came together in Simms, Long Island to give God thanks for their vibrant existence.

Father Chester Burton, rector of the church, set the proverbial wheels in motion to get the parish’s Anglican Church Women (ACW) up and running again.

The first lesson, at the service, was taken from Joshua 59-12, which was read by Theresa Miller. The Psalm was led by Catechist Mavis Knowles and the Epistle was read by Floret Adderley, secretary of the group. The gospel was taken from Luke 15:11-32.

The ACW choir sang a soul stirring rendition of “One day at a time sweet Jesus” that set the mood for the worship experience.

Father Burton told Tribune Religion: “The preacher was Rev Dr Carolyn Rolle, associate minister at Zion Baptist, East and Shirley Streets, who was visiting North Long Island for the first time. In Dr Rolle’s sermon, she expounded and focused on the concept of forgiveness and reconciliation as depicted in Jesus’ parable of the Prodigal Son. She told the women they are all witnesses wherever they are or whoever they may meet and greet. A witness to world that is watching them, and they should at all times be agents of forgiveness and reconciliation.”

He said Rev Rolle reminded the women in attendance that they have to be credible witnesses in season and out of season. She encouraged the women to realise they are always being watched and evaluated at all junctures in their life, so their walk must match their talk.

Father Burton said Rev Rolle also encouraged the women to embrace and espouse the tenets and precepts in the principles that govern Anglican Church Women throughout the Anglican Diocese in the Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Island. Remembering that as in the parable, the father always was looking and awaiting his son’s return.

“She admonished the ladies to seek those lost and indifferent members of their family and their community reaching out in love and forgiveness. Rev Rolle said the women should have a willing heart, mind and soul when they are called on to render any altruistic service. In essence when the angel Gabriel appeared to the Virgin Mary her words to his request was “Here I am, the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word,” said Father Burton.

The officers of the ACW include: President- Grace Deal, Vice President- Yvonne Ditmar, Secretary- Floret Adderley, Assistant Secretary- Joan Knowles, Treasurer – Esther Minnis, Assistant Treasurer- Deloris Miller and Chaplain- Muriel Baker.