One of Anguilla’s most successful and respected couples, the Reverend Dr. H. Clifton Niles and Mrs. Ruth Niles, celebrated 40 years of Marriage and 40 years of Ministry on August 8, 2008, with a well-attended Service of Thanksgiving at the Bethel Methodist Chapel, where they were married on August 8, 1968.

Reverend Doctor Niles and Family

The couple, who linked hands in a heart-shaped anniversary photograph printed on the inside cover of the programme brochure, featured the theme of the event “The two have become one to the glory of God."
The Order of the Service included the Call to Worship, Prayers and the Welcome and Greetings by Reverend Joseph Lloyd, Forty Years: An Overview by Reverend Dr. S. W. Hodge; the Homily by Reverend Dr. Wycherley Gumbs and Prayer by Reverend Cecil Weekes and a solo by Andrew Niles, one of the couple’s five children. There were also Special Music by the Choir, some of the most appropriate congregational hymns and Scripture Reading by church leader Damien Hughes and Mrs. Evona Rolle, wife of the Reverend Theophilus Rolle.

Reverend and Mrs. Niles

In his overview, the Reverend Dr. Hodge traced the interesting life and accomplishmentsof the Reverend Dr. Niles who was the fourth child of Hubert and Maude Niles of South Hill and Mrs. Niles, the last of five children born to Thomas and Olive Richardson of Sandy Ground. They both attended the Road Primary School and both became Teachers. Rev. Niles taught for eight years before entering the Methodist Ministry in 1964 and Mrs. Niles has been teaching in early childhood education all her life and following her husband at his various postings and making worthwhile contributions to society and family life.
Following Rev. Niles’ graduation from the United Theological Seminary and the new campus, the United Theological College, and their marriage, he and his wife took up their first appointment in St. Elizabeth, Jamaica for four years He served for six years as Training and Organising Secretary of the Boys Brigade in the Eastern Caribbean, stationed in Antigua and for two years he was Sub-Regional Coordinator for the Caribbean Council of Churches.

Members Of The Congregation

After study leave in the United States, he was awarded the MA and MTH degrees and began his doctoral studies at Emory University which he completed in 1981 when he was appointed Tutor/Warden at the United Theological College where he lectured in Biblical Studies. He served the Jamaica-based college for eleven years as Deputy President. He then became Secretary of the Methodist Church in the Caribbean and the Americas with head office in Antigua and served in that capacity for six years. Before then (just after his study leave), he served for 18 months in St. Eustatius and St. Thomas.
In 1997 he was appointed President of the Leeward Islands District Conference for one term. Since then he has been Superintendent of the St. Thomas/St. John and St. Maarten Circuit. It was from St.Maarten that he eventually returned to Anguilla to serve as Superintendent of the Circuit here which comprises six Methodist Churches/Chapels.
Rev. Dr. Hodge noted that Rev. Dr. Niles has been known over the years not only for his academic achievements, but for his administrative skills and well-organised and forcefully-delivered sermons. He took the opportunity to congratulate the couple “on reaching this significant moment along life’s journey both in marriage and ministry” and wished them “many more fruitful, pleasant and enjoyable years together.”
The Thanksgiving Service was followed by a Reception Ceremony, chaired by Reverend Jefferson Niles (Rev. Niles’ nephew). Reverend Rolle, visiting from the Bahamas, gave the opening remarks and blessed the meal. There were congratulatory remarks by Andrew Niles on behalf of the couple’s children, Damien Hughes, on behalf of the Church and Cecil Niles (Rev. Niles’ brother), on behalf of the relatives and the closing prayer was by visiting Anguillian Minister, Reverend Dunston Richardson.
The Reverend Dr. Niles told The Anguillian that he thought “it was a very meaningful and inspiring ceremony and a show of tremendous love and appreciation by the people and we appreciated it very much.”

| Printer-friendly page | Send this article to a friend |

World News