October 23rd, 2015 -- The Sandy Point Community Centre was transformed on Saturday, 17th October, 2015 when the Sandy Point Community Churches held its first ever, Seniors Appreciation Luncheon from 11a.m – 2p.m. The columns of the room as well as the walls and tables were adorned with fuchsia pink, royal blue and white decorations and flowers, and the waiting and kitchen areas were set out in a professional display of the various delicacies that would comprise the three -course meal that the seniors enjoyed.
The Seniors who were registered by relatives, friends or church congregation, were collected from their homes by buses from the Apostolic Faith, the Evangelistic Faith, and the Sacred Heart Catholic Churches and transported to the Sandy Point Community Centre. There, an ecumenical team of male and female helpers assisted them in entering the community centre. It was clearly expressions of delight as Seniors entered, saw the beautifully decorated hall as well as their peers who some had not seen or interacted with for a while, and then were presented with a programme, a song sheet, and creatively designed name tag. Quickly, there was a buzz of conversation with the exchange of hugs and kisses among the seniors as they converged around numbered tables.
A programme of appreciatory items was organized. The programme started with the singing of the National Anthem, the Opening Prayer done by Rev. Bagnall of the St. Anne’s Anglican Church, the Welcome and Opening Remarks by Pastor Prisca Hyligar of the Evangelistic Faith Church and Chair of the Sandy Point Community Churches Group. Thereafter, the gathering lustily sang ‘What a friend we have in Jesus’ and ‘Amazing Grace’ and then collectively read the Scripture reading which came from Isaiah 46:4. The Gathering was stirred to laughter and applauds when Ms. Glenda Bassue Williams delivered an energetic and dramatic monologue that reminded of the wisdom, prudence, and profound historical, genealogical and medical knowledge of seniors of the community. This was followed by the solo performance of ‘The Old Rugged Cross’ by Browlia Bergan, and then the Blessing of the Meal by Fr. Jegan of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
The sumptuous lunch consisted of the serving of cream of pumpkin soup with dinner roll, followed by a balanced helping of baked chicken and creole fish, one of two rice options, scalloped potato, a serving of steamed vegetable and a garden salad. Local drinks and water were available. The meal was completed with dessert consisting of watermelon or ice-cream or a combination. The servers and table- helpers were from the various churches of Sandy Point and they were assisted by Hon. Shawn Richards, Deputy Prime Minister and Parliamentary Representative for Sandy Point and Fig Tree.
The appreciatory items resumed during the serving of dessert and these included a soothing solo rendition of ‘Just because you are’ by Tanika Gumbs, and a Poem – why we should appreciate our elders- by Kerinda Warner. Senior, Mr. Milton Richardson, affectionately known as Brother Richie, rendered a beautiful instrumental piece on the harmonica, before other Seniors took the microphone to express words of gratitude to God and the organisers of the Seniors’ Appreciation Luncheon. Ms. Ann Wigley, Deputy Director in the Ministry of Social Services & Community Development offered words of commendations to the Sandy Point Community Churches for this exemplary event and challenged all present to continue to appreciate the seniors not just for the month of October.
Another feature of the Seniors’ Appreciation Luncheon was the presentation of gift bags with tokens of personal effects to the Seniors. In the vote of Thanks, Pastor Hyligar thanked all who worked assiduously to make the event the wonderfully successful event that it was. Special mention was made of the Red Cross for the presence of officers, the Ministry of Social Services and Community Development, Mr. Addison Warner and Mrs. Elsa Revan for coordinating the meal preparation, and for all persons, churches and organisations that made donations of time and resources. Pastor Clive Saunders of the Unique Touch Christian Centre offered up the Closing Prayer and a Blessing on the Seniors before they all joined in singing the Closing Song. All involved expressed satisfaction with the rewarding experience that making the Seniors Appreciation Luncheon a beautiful reality.
As the happy Seniors were transported back to their homes, many commended on how enjoyable and special a time they had and continued to echo gratitude to the organisers. Those seniors who were registered but were unable to make it to the community centre on the day had their meals and tokens delivered to them.
The group - The Sandy Point Community Churches- functions under the motto “Putting aside differences to help and heal our community” and comprises of all the Christian churches that operate within the town of Sandy Point.
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