The Tribune

Plans are progressing steadily as the Anglican Church Men prepare for their 41st Annual Diocesan Conference which is set for April 30 – May 4 in West End, Grand Bahama.

Under the theme, “Building Character – Changing Lives”, the ACM will seek to expound on the timely topic of how to positively impact subsequent generations with a view to curbing a growing trend of anti-social behaviour which seems to have gripped today’s youth.

“Quite often, mentoring can be misconstrued, and can become more cloning, with persons wanting to recreate their own character and personality either through their children or the youth in their charge. But clearly, mentoring is more involved in elevating self esteem; motivating and encouraging persons to explore and then maximise their potential so that they can become all that they are capable of being with a balanced, holistic lifestyle,” the ACM said in a press release.

Bishop Laish Boyd, leader of the Anglican Diocese, said the theme is a fitting one.

“Character is built over time through formation, nurture, instruction and through experiences. Your character is who you are, and it can certainly be said that one’s life is ‘changed’ or ‘formed’ by the character built via our upbringing; in our training, and in our experiences,” he said.

“Character development is always important in every age, in every circumstance and in every period of a person’s life. The good thing about ongoing character-building is that it rectifies the flaws, inadequacies or deficiencies in one’s character up to that point. There is always room for growth and improvement in a person’s life, so once again, this is a timely theme. Seek to develop it during your conference’s agenda.”

Archdeacon for the Northern Bahamas Archdeaconry Harry J L Bain, who also serves as Rector of the Pro-Cathedral of Christ the King, said he is pleased that the ACM returned to the north and specifically chosen Grand Bahama as the site for their annual conference. For more than a decade, the organisation has been rotating the venue for the annual gathering and this is the third time that Grand Bahama will be serving as the venue since this practice began. Archdeacon Bain reiterated that the theme is a timely one, as the ACM seek to mould and impact the character of our youth, which is greatly needed nowadays.

“But character-building begins in the home, and perhaps the homes have failed, as once the social integration process begins and the child enters the education system, he is now being impacted by a number of external factors. But there is always hope,” said Archdeacon Bain.

“Our men need to now step up to the plate – stand in the gap so to speak – for those individuals who may not have had the right home environment where their character could have been positively impacted.” He further said that for older persons, “their character may very well be already shaped, so for those individuals it will be a matter of reforming and redirecting their lifestyle.”

“This will be a big challenge but the men should not be discouraged and should take on this situation one child at a time, utilising methods such as counselling, advising and instilling in the youth a strong sense of direction,” he said.

Grand Bahama last hosted the ACM conference in 2008, when the Church of the Ascension in Lucaya served as the venue.