METHODIST CHURCH OF ANTIGUA LAUNCHES AN HISTORICAL EXHIBITION AT THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Wednesday 15th December 2010
Daisy Massiah; church member and contributor of many items displayed in the exhibition and Beverly Samuel; circuit steward cut the ribbon at the official opening.
(13th December 2010, St. John’s, Antigua) In celebration of 250th year of Methodist mission and service in the Caribbean and the Americas which started here in Antigua in 1760, the Methodist Church Antigua Circuit today launched an exhibition at the National Archives chronicling the history of the Methodist Church in the Caribbean with particular emphasis on Antigua.
The historical display was unveiled in the presence of Her Excellency The Governor General, Dame Louise Lake-Tack, President of the Methodist Church in the Caribbean and the Americas, Reverend Dr. George Mulrain, Superintendent Minister for the Antigua Circuit, Reverend Dr. Novelle Josiah, Executive Chairman of the World Methodist Council, Reverend Dr. John Barrett and as well as other ministerial staff, Clergy and members of the church.
Governor General Dame Louise Lake-Tack views the exhibition with Rev. Dr. John Barrett.
The exhibition includes photographs, booklets, historical data and artifacts portraying the rich history of Methodism in Antigua & Barbuda.
Superintendent Minister Reverend Dr. Novelle Josiah said “This exhibition forms part of a series of commemorative events held throughout the Antigua Circuit energizing our members to tell Our Methodist Story. We are pleased to share our legacy of contribution to Antigua & Barbuda and I take this opportunity to invite everyone to visit the National Archives for their personal viewing.”
The theme of the year long celebration is ‘A People Faithful, Thankful and Purposeful. By faith we come, in hope we plan, in joy we celebrate.’ The exhibition will run for three months at the National Archives and the year long celebration will conclude with a joint Circuit Christmas morning service at the Ebenezer Methodist Church, St. Mary’s Street at 5am. This service will commemorate the providential landing of Dr Thomas Coke, a Wesleyan missionary, on 25th December, 1786 and hereby officially establishing Methodism in Antigua and the Caribbean as a whole.