The Tribune

AS the Commonwealth of the Bahamas celebrates 40 years of Independence and nationhood, the Methodist family will observe the twentieth anniversary of the birth of the Bahamas Conference of the Methodist Church through the passage of the Methodist Act in the House of Parliament. The Act passed on July 3, 1993 gave the Bahamian Methodist Church the right to govern its own affairs, without reference to any external entity. Its passage turned a new page in the history of Bahamian Methodism as it was then known.

In reflecting on this important milestone, Rev Christopher Neely, the President of the BCMC Conference said: “Under the theme of Methodists...Moving Forward in Christ and a subtheme of Repentance, Forgiveness and Reconciliation a number of events have been planned to celebrate the Conference’s milestone.” He took the opportunity to highlight the immediate Twentieth Annual Conference.

Delegates from the Methodist churches throughout the Bahamas will gather for the Twentieth Annual Conference at St Michael’s Methodist Church, Boyd Sub Division beginning May 22, with a one day representative business session. The highlight of the day will be the opening worship service that will be held later that night. An invitation is extended to the general public to attend and be inspired by the teaching of Rev David Hooker, the keynote speaker for the conference. He will teach on Repentance, Forgiveness, and Reconciliation.

Thursday and Friday sessions will feature workshops by Rev Hooker when he will deals with the theme in greater detail. Rev James Neilly will also lead workshops sessions on Friday on Church Growth Empowerment. Additionally, Thursday and Friday sessions will also have opportunities for Bible Study, worship, small group sessions and fellowship time.

Then on Saturday the conference will assemble at Queen’s College for its FamFest: a day of fun and games, healthy sports competition which includes a pastors’ race, and a Junkanoo rush out. The Royal Bahamas Police Force Band will be in attendance and native food from around the family islands will be on sale throughout the day. Rev Neely says that all branches of the Methodist family have been invited to participate in the FamFest activity. He expects that teams will come from as far away as North, Central and South Eleuthera, Abaco, Inagua and Cat Island. Each team expects to put their best foot forward to claim their bragging rights. However, Rev Neely said that the purpose of the day is to bring the Methodist family together.

The Spiritual Growth Conference closes on Sunday, May 26, 2013 with a procession of witnesses and a worship service at Global Village Methodist Church, located in the Queen’s College Geoffrey Brown Auditorium. The service begins at 10am. The charge will be given by the President of the Conference.
Rev Neely said that the plans of other events that will commemorate the Twentieth Anniversary of the Bahamas Conference of the Methodist Church such as the opening of Zion Children’s Home on Current Island, a banquet and an exhibition, will be announced at a later day.
In closing, Rev Neely said he was very excited about the prospects for the Methodist Church in the Bahamas.

“We are sensitive to the needs of the people of the Bahamas and we also know the opportunities that exist for mission and service. Coming together will reenergise us to go into the world, as we have been sent by Jesus, to make disciples of all people,” the President said.