The Tribune

YET ANOTHER Patronal Festival was celebrated in Long Island, as St Andrew’s Anglican Church parishioners came together to show their support for the church’s liturgical year.

Patronal Festivals are seen as the birthday of any particular church, and St Andrew’s church is known to celebrate its festival in the settlement of Whymms.

According to Father Chester Burton, Rector of St Peter’s Anglican Church, members of his church came together at St Andrew’s to praise the life and witness of the apostle Andrew.

“The Church was adorned with celebration flags on the exterior and the altar decorated in the Patronal festival colour of red, denoting the colour attributed to apostles who were martyred,” said Father Burton.

Father Burton told Tribune Religion, the festival made for an historic moment in the life of the church as he is anticipating the re-dedication of the edifice and parish hall in short order by the Diocesan Bishop Laish Boyd, early in the New Year.

In attendance at the festival’s church service was rector Father Andrew Toppin, assistant curate from St George’s Anglican Church in the Valley (Centerville). Father Toppin was Rector of the St Luke’s Parish where Father Burton served from Summer 2005 to Summer 2007 immediately after he left St Anne’s Parish, Fox Hill.

At the service, the congregation listened to a gospel reading for the Eucharistic celebration, taken from Matthew 4:18-22. In the chapter, Jesus is walking down the Sea of Galilee and comes into contact with Simon Peter and Andrew, who are brothers, as well as James and John, the sons of Zebedee.

Father Toppin in his sermon preached on the simple yet profound words of Jesus, when he told Andrew and his brother Simon Peter that he would make them fishers of men. Father Toppin reminisced on his early experiences while working with Father Burton as rector of St Luke’s Parish where he enjoyed the camaraderie they shared.

Father Burton said: “Toppin went on to say that he certainly could see some of the handiwork displayed in some of the Anglican Churches in North Long Island where I served as rector. He then in his sermon asked a poignant and rhetorical question to the congregation: Does anyone want to be a second fiddler or a back up singer?”

“Toppin tried to recapitulate and conjure up in the congregation’s mind that during the times when Andrew was mentioned, it was always in an advisory capacity. He helped the lad, who fed the five thousand people. He admonished the congregation that Jesus picked some of the most unlikely characters to assist him with spreading the gospel message and told the congregation they are no different than Andrew,” said Father Burton.

Father Burton said in the English language, “follow” is one of the most powerful words known to humanity. Going into depth in regards to his statement, he explained: “ The mere thought of these two brothers along with the sons of Zebedee leaving their father in the boat and following Jesus should sensitize each Christian of their duty and obligation to be a witness and fisherman for God and his son Jesus Christ, through the power of the holy spirit.”

Shortly after the Eucharistic celebration, members congregated to the rear of the church to the newly built parish hall, to share in table fellowship. They also took the time to meet and greet different members of the Anglican community in Long Island.

Father Burton mentioned that the church with its small membership has come a long way.