Anglican Diocese hosts Flotilla Parade and Rally

The Anglican Diocese hosted a Flotilla Parade and Rally on Saturday, demonstrating to Barbadians that the church is very much alive and well, even as it recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The churches in the St Michael Deanery of the Anglican Diocese of Barbados collaborated to present the Seven Sacraments of the Christian Church in the float parade and rally entitled: The Church is Sacramental and Safe.

The colourful parade commenced at the St Barnabas Church, Chapel Gap, St Barnabas, and traversed along a 10-kilometre route through most of the districts of the churches in the St Michael Deanery, before it culminated at the St Paul Conference Complex, St Paul’s Avenue, St Michael.

During the spectacular activity, which also formed part of the celebration of St Paul’s Patronal Festival, stops were made at specific points in historic Bridgetown where some of the young people from across the diocese performed liturgical dances, while other expressions of ministry were offered.

Bishop Michael Maxwell, told members of the media that he was pleased to see the St Michael Deanery active as it relates to the parade in an effort to demonstrate that the church is alive and ready to once again be revived from the ashes of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

“And that indeed we will continue to spread the message of the gospel, particularly of the sacraments that are going to be on display this morning, which particularly shares about the fact of God’s involvement in important stages in our lives.

“I am happy to see a youngster being portrayed as a Bishop, which again of course demonstrates the fact that we do recognise that of course that this call to the Bishop is not just for older folks but hopefully even for younger folks like the gentleman that is there seated on the truck.

“He is one that is involved in the St Michael’s Deanery and I am very happy that he has assumed such a positive attitude. I wish only that he could sit in the office and to help me with this mandate,” Bishop Maxwell said.

The event concluded with a short rally at the St Paul’s complex where patrons witnessed a dramatic presentation of the seven Sacraments and were uplifted with musical renditions including a live steel band. There was also a prayer station with the St Paul church to accommodate persons in need of prayer. (AH)