The three women to be honoured this Sunday at the New Life Baptist Church: Mrs. Eugenie Donovan-Glasgow, Mrs. Belsadys Donovan and Reverend Edris O’Neal. Photo: Provided

The initiative was that of the Church’s Bishop John I. Cline as the church and the community’s expression of thanks to men, women and even boys and girls who had made significant contributions towards the development of the Territory. Photo: VINO/File

The ceremony to honour the women will happen as part of the regular scheduled church service but will feature special introductions of each honouree and a special song of tribute as well. The church will also honour one if its own members as a surprise. Photo: Facebook

“The Sunday Heroes Programme has honoured teachers, farmers, legislators, freedom fighters, historians among others and now the Sunday Heroes Programme has become a flagship event for New Life Baptist Church,” this news site was told.

According to Mr Kareem-Hull Nelson of the NLBC this is being done as part of their 2015 Service of Recognition in honour of Unsung Heroes of the Virgin Islands (VI).

He said the three women were chosen by a selection committee and approved by the church’s senior officials. “They will be honoured for their service to the Territory over many years within their individual fields of service: Reverend O’Neal for her years of service as a minister and as head of the British Virgin Islands Red Cross; Mrs. Eugenie Donovan-Glasgow for her years of service as a teacher, principal and librarian and Mrs. Belsadys Donovan for her years of service as a teacher and principal,” he said.

The ceremony to honour the women will happen as part of the regular scheduled church service but will feature special introductions of each honouree and a special song of tribute as well. “The church will also honour one if its own members as a surprise,” Hull noted.

“Bishop John Ivan Cline extends an invitation to the Territory especially to persons who may have interacted with, worked with, been served by or been taught by any of the honourees. Guests are invited to be seated by 9:45 a.m. to allow time for a prompt beginning for the grand procession,” he said.

Last years’ honourees were Mr. Robert A. Mathavious, Mr. Merrit Herbert and Mr. Terrance Chinnery. Past honourees include the late J.S. Archibald QC, the late J.R. O’Neal, the late Theodore Skeete, the late Mr. Reeial George, the late Joyce Samuel, the late Ishmael Fahie, the late Noel Lloyd, the Hon. Ralph T. O’Neal OBE (R9), Mr. Alexander O. Shirley, Ms. Cicely Malone, Mrs. Kirlin Lettsome and Mr. Marvin Blyden, Dr. Quincy Lettsome, Dr. Charles Wheatley, Mrs. Jennie Wheatley, Ms. Movene Fahie, Mr. Ulric Scatliffe, Mr. Vernon Pickering, Ms. Janet Stoutt, Mr. Gregory Smith and Mrs. Mariette Smith.

In 2005, the NLBC opened its doors to over 500 persons for the first service of thanksgiving for VI Unsung Heroes. Back then it was called Heroes Sunday.

The initiative was that of the Church’s Bishop John I. Cline as the church and the community’s expression of thanks to men, women and even boys and girls who had made significant contributions towards the development of the Territory.