It was indeed a wonderful blessing and an inspiring display of thanksgiving and rejoicing when the oldest church in the Virgin Islands, the Road Town Methodist Church, held its Harvest Thanksgiving yesterday, October 21, 2012. Photo: VINO

The Youth Choir doing a song entitled "Give Thanks" at the Road Town Methodist Church's Thanksgiving Harvest. Photo: VINO

Such was the bounty and evidence of their blessing that persons would have completely forgot that the VI is coming off a long dry spell and that Agriculture is not considered as one of the economic pillars of the Territory.

Long lines of persons made their way to the altar to gleefully contribute to the harvest with their laden baskets of fruits, trays of cakes and pastries. Even the children got into the act and could be seen struggling along with a large coconut, a bunch of mangoes, a juicy looking soursop or seemingly well polished avocados or sugar canes.

The programme itself was a well organised one that saw a mixture of talent from the young and old and included singing, dancing, poetry, and even drumming.

Most heartening to see was the church’s involvement of the little children who bravely did their presentations with innocent exuberance and pride, which brought much delight to the congregation.

Persons were also blessed with sweet music by the church’s Youth Choir, Old Timers, which featured the older men in the congregation, United Gospellers, Women’s League, Men’s Fellowship and the Senior Choir, which included Representative for the Fifth District Hon. Delores Christopher. The Senior Choir, decked out in colourful apparel and directed by Dr. Allison Flax-Archer, did the anthems All Things Bright and Beautiful and Every Day is a Day of Thanksgiving which were most suitable for the bountiful harvest.

It was the first harvest witnessed at the Road Town Methodist Church by the new Superintendant of the Church, Reverend Charles A. Seaton, who said it was one of the best harvests he has ever seen.

Reverend Seaton encouraged the congregation to continue to give thanks for the blessings received and to remember to share with others who may not have been so blessed.

The harvest was then put on sale and persons wasted no time in getting their lovely fresh fruits and vegetables as well as cakes and pastries.