Found at: http://www.anguillaguide.com/article/articleprint/5437/-1/140/
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Co-Pastors With 40 Years Of Ministry Honoured By Church
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Many invited guests from across Anguilla joined the congregation of the Christian Fellowship Church on Sunday, November 18, at a Thanksgiving Service in celebration of the 40th Pastoral Anniversary of Rev. Drs. Ambrose and Kathleen Richardson.
The service was moderated by Rev. Carl Richardson, the couple’s second son who pastors a Church in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands, where he also serves as a legal practitioner.
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The Christian Fellowship Church Choir
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mong those at the Thanksgiving Service were Chief Minister, Osbourne Fleming, Speaker of the House of Assembly, David Carty, Minister of Finance Victor Banks, Parliamentary Secretary, Albert Hughes, Elected Member for Road South, Hubert Hughes and Revolution Leader Ronald Webster and Mrs. Webster. Also in attendance were Pastors from various on the Churches on the island. The Police Community Band assisted in the musical presentations.
Speaking on behalf of the Chief Minister, who was late in returning to the island from St. Croix, Mr. Banks said in part: “I know that Pastor Ambrose and his lovely wife have made a difference in Anguilla. Their 40 years of ministry has been important for Anguilla’s development. Development cannot come successfully without the support of the Lord through his Ministers in this and every congregation throughout Anguilla. We are glad to know that we still live in a country where God is Lord and that we continue to hold His teachings dear to our hearts.
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The Rev. Drs. Ambrose and Kathleen Richardson
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“We are grateful to Pastors Ambrose and Kathleen for the work they have done. We could not have made it this far without them, and others like them, so it is important for us to give thanks and show them our appreciation.”
The Chief Minister, who later arrived in the Church, said the husband and wife team had been faithful in carrying out their pastoral work on the island. Noting that the theme of the Thanksgiving Service was “40 years and moving into new horizons,” Mr. Fleming stated that there was a lot of evangelistic work still to be done and he urged them to continue their service with even greater fervour.
He spoke about his personal friendship with Pastor Ambrose, his admiration for his spiritual commitment and the success of his ministry over the years and offered his best wishes to him and his wife.
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Mother of Pastor Ambrose with flowers
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It was a well-planned service by the Board and members of the Church showing their appreciation and love for Pastor Ambrose and his wife who left a better standard of living and opportunities in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands, in 1967, and came to Anguilla to establish what was then a very small Church. It was their dedication and hard work which saw the steady growth of the congregation and over the years the erection and further expansion of new church buildings. As a result of Pastor and Mrs. Richardson’s leadership, and the involvement of the members, there are a number of leaders and many young people in the Church who are not only grateful for the spiritual direction they have received from the ministerial couple, but who are able to ensure that the work is carried on.
Their hope, however, is that the Rev. Drs. Ambrose and Kathleen Richardson have many more years in the ministry and they are giving them their unstinting support. It was in this vein, and with a sense of appreciation, that a number of members paid glowing tribute to the husband and wife team of pastors in word, song and dance.
Among the tribute bearers were the couple’s four sons, Clyde, Carl, Curtis and Clinton, who praised them for their parental role and leadership and expressed their delight with the Church and the support of its membership. Vida Richardson, Clyde’s wife, also delivered a tribute. Carl, who is a lawyer in St. Thomas, is the Pastor of a Church there. He came to Anguilla to serve as the Moderator for the Thanksgiving Service.
The sermon was preached by the Rev. Dr. Aimraj Maharaj of Diego Martin, Trinidad, where he pastors the West End Christian Fellowship Church. “I extend my congratulations to you, Drs. Ambrose and Kathleen Richardson, on the 40th Anniversary of your pastoral service to your Church and Anguilla,” he told them in his introductory remarks. “No journey of success is without commitment to serve, to surrender and to sacrifice, and any man or woman who have achieved a level of success will get the stars [that they have earned] during the journey and the struggle they encountered.”
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Mr & Mrs. Webster, Government Officials and church members
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He went: “I salute you sir and your dear wife for a leg of the journey well-run. The fact that there is a gathering of people here representing a cross-section of this nation, and even other nations, is an indication of the integrity, commitment and the purpose with which you have served.”
In his response, Pastor Ambrose was grateful to all who “who shared this moment with us” and for their kind words as well as the Board and members of the Church who organised the service.
“I am very pleased with the performance of this Assembly that I have led for 40 years. I would not give anything to be the pastor of another congregation. You are the greatest,” he declared, as applause sounded all over the church hall. Among those who applauded was his 84-year-old mother, Yvonne Daniel, who was earlier presented with a bouquet of flowers by a member of the Church.