The Tribune

By ALESHA CADET

Features Reporter

acadet@tribunemedia.net

Scores of young church-goers from as far as Orange Creek in the north to Port Howe in South Cat Island gathered at the entrance of Old Bight Primary School in celebration of Mothering Sunday on March 14.

Led by the St Saviour’s parish, the group of youngsters marched and afterwards took part in a church service at St Mary the Virgin in Old Bight, Cat Island.

This was the third consecutive year the Anglican Church rolled out the red carpet to other denominations on the island to join them in celebrating this occasion. Due to population dynamics, Father Chester Burton, the Anglican Church rector, thought it was the right thing to do to invite the whole church community.

“The young people marched briskly in their church paraphernalia to the pulsating sounds of the bass drums of the all male students from the Arthur’s Town High School, namely Kayla Seymour, Derrick Cox, Jurrique Russell, Chavez Saunders and Lamarrrgio Newbold. Their stride and stamina ensured that no one who marched felt the two-mile trek,” Father Burton said.

“At the completion of the march just before entering the edifice, the Royal Bahamas Police Force Cadets, under their squad leader Officer Armstrong, executed an adept drill routine which amazed the onlookers.”

The service was held under the theme “Anointing the King in Our Young Men”, and hosted by Cedric Wilson and lay reader Camellar Seymour. The celebration began with a prayer, after which the gathering was led in the singing of the National Anthem by Father Burton.

“Senior Acolyte Donald Newbold, Jr, read the scripture and the recently established Christian Youth Movement group from St Mark and St Andrew’s sang lustily their items and the song choice was very timely. These selections were followed by the first home run batter, Pastor Prince Willard Dean, who is also the principal of the Arthur’s Town High School where I serve as part-time religious knowledge teacher,” said Father Burton.

But it was Edison Pinder “who brought the church to realisation that everyone’s talent is hidden until it is released like a butterfly from its cocoon”, he added.

“Shortly after, the Mount Sinai Baptist Youth group gave a soul-inspiring rendition of the Lord’s is my shepherd.”

“Pastor Fitzgerald François from the Seventh Day Adventists in Cat Island applied the teaching that David. The youth then rose for the children’s song, “Father Abraham”. Evangelist Bradley Russell from the Highway Church of God came to the podium to dissect how the scripture touched him as he prepared for the sermon, and finally Inspector Tony Taylor placed the icing on the Mothering Sunday cake with some stern advice to parents and students present.”

The people’s warden of the parish, Olga Wilson, gave the vote of thanks and Father Burton gave closing remarks and the benediction. He said all in attendance left with glad hearts and anticipating next year’s Mothering Sunday march.