Ministers of Religion from the Anglican, Methodist and Seventh-day Adventist Churches shared a common pulpit on Sunday, October 15, when they joined in a Thanksgiving Service for Chief Minister, Osbourne Fleming, at the Bethel Methodist Church at South Hill.

Government Officials and other at the service

The service followed the return to Anguilla of the Government leader from the United States via St. Croix on Monday, October 9, after a kidney transplant at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, Florida, and a long period of recuperation. It was the third public function marking Mr. Fleming’s return, the other functions being a welcome ceremony at Wallblake Airport on his arrival and a devotional session at the House of Assembly the following day when he returned to work.

Evalie Bradley and Ineke Williams (kidney donor) with inscribed vase

The religious leaders who participated in the service were Superintendent Minister of the Anguilla Methodist Circuit, Reverend Dr. H. Clifton Niles, who delivered the sermon, the Right Reverend Errol Brooks of the Anglican Church, who led the Intercessory Prayers, and the Seventh-day Adventist Minister, Danny Phillip, Mr. Fleming’s Pastor, who delivered the opening prayer.

L-R: Pastor Danny Phillip, Bishop Brooks and Rev. Dr. Niles

The service was moderated by Evalie Bradley, Principal Assistant Secretary in the Chief Minister’s Office, and the welcome was by Permanent Secretary, Foster Rogers. In his remarks Mr. Rogers said the service was to give thanks for “the successful surgical procedure that the Hon. Osbourne Fleming underwent about three months ago and to pray for his continued recovery.” It was also “to give thanks for the selfless gift of life and love given to him by God through his blessed servant [kidney donor] Miss Ineke Williams.”

Mrs. Bradley then presented a beautifully-designed jug to Miss Williams. The inscription read: “Presented on behalf of the Government and people of Anguilla. Thank you for your gift of love.”

Methodist Ministers and others

Replying, Miss Williams thanked God for giving her the courage and strength to donate one of her kidneys to the Chief Minister. She was happy that she was able to help her cousin and was grateful for the support of members of her St. Maarten family who were present at the service. She also expressed thanks to Rev. Niles for the spiritual leadership he had given her during his appointment in St. Maarten.

Rev. Niles, who described Miss Williams as a reserved person, said he was taken aback by her decision to donate a kidney to Mr. Fleming. “I complimented her and supported her,” he stated. He wished the Chief Minister continued good health. “You can count on our support and may you go from strength to strength,” he told him.

Ineke and her fiancee, aunts and uncles

The Methodist Superintendent based his sermon on the miracle story of the healing of the ten lepers by Jesus as recorded in St. Luke 17: 11-19 and the return of only one of them to give thanks. He spoke about the importance of demonstrating faith, gratitude and Godly living by all those who have had a life-changing experience, including the Chief Minister.

In one of the Intercessory Prayers by Bishop Brooks, he prayed: “O God…we bless your name that you have been pleased to deliver from his bodily sickness, your servant, Osbourne, who now desires to return thanks unto you in the presence of your people. Gracious are you, O Lord, and full of compassion to the children of men. May Osbourne’s heart be duly impressed with a sense of your merciful goodness and may he devote the rest of his days in humble, holy and obedient walking before you.”

Sections of the congregation

Just before the end of the service Chief Minister Fleming spoke of his ordeal and his commitment to spiritual living, and joined Mrs. Bradley in thanking all persons for attending the service and for their support and prayers.

Others who participated in the service were staff members of the Chief Minister’s Office, Susan Best-Richardson and Joan Hodge, who sang special selections.

Sections of the congregation

Among those at the service were Governor Andrew George, Ministers of Government and Members of the House of Assembly, High Court Judge Justice Janice George-Creque, Dame Bernice Lake QC, other lawyers, Sir Emile and Lady Gumbs and members of the Clergy.

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