A crowded Bethel Methodist Church at South Hill, with persons in attendance from Anguilla and various regional islands, paid special tribute to Rev. Dr. Serchal Wilfred Hodge, and Mrs. Jean Hodge, who celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary on Wednesday, July 14.

Rev. & Mrs. Hodge

The officiating Ministers were Reverends Joseph Lloyd, Cecil Weekes, John A. Gumbs and Dr. H. Clifton Niles. The homily was delivered by Rev. Gumbs who spoke about the challenges which faced Mrs. Hodge, then 19 years, who married a Methodist Minister in the person of Rev. Hodge and began a difficult ministry with him in Dominica, leaving behind her family and friends in Jamaica.

Ministers Joseph Lloyd, Cecil Weekes, Clifton Niles and John A. Gumbs

He also spoke about the work of Rev. Hodge who was responsible for five or six churches in Dominica, worked for a small salary, and travelled dangerous roads in the performance of his duties. He noted that a comforting fact was that Ministers knew their spouses and were encouraged that they never complained. He stated that Rev and Mrs. Hodge’s 50th Wedding Anniversary was proof that the sacred institution of marriage was working.
Rev. Dr. Niles gave greetings to the couple on behalf of the Circuit and the number of persons who came to Anguilla from the various islands for the ceremony. “Heartiest, sincerest congratulations from all of us,” he said to Rev. and Mrs. Hodge. “We offer you our best wishes, God’s blessing and guidance for good health, continued prosperity and long life.”

Section of the congregation

Earlier, two of Rev. Hodge’s sisters, Mrs. Hubertine Franklin, and Ms Yolande Hodge, read separate profiles of the couple. Rev. Hodge obtained his early education in Anguilla and went on a scholarship to the St. Kitts-Nevis Grammar School, where he continued his education. He taught at the Road School and at age 23 was accepted as a candidate for the Methodist Ministry at the United Theological Seminary in Jamaica. He graduated summa cum laude after four years. He married on July 9, 1960, served first in Dominica and then in almost every Circuit in the Leeward Islands District.

Other sections of the congregation

In 1968 he did postgraduate studies at London University and completed his doctoral studies in Washington, DC, in 1979. He held a number of positions in the Methodist Conference. These included General Secretary of the Finance and Property Committee (for over 20 years) and Methodist Super Warden at the United Theological College for six years until his retirement. He spent his last three years in active ministry in Holland before returning to Anguilla as a Supernumerary.

His wife, Jean, who was teaching in New York, joined him in Anguilla in 2002. She obtained her early education in Jamaica, where she was also a church worker. She holds a double Bachelor of Science Degree in Education from the University of the Virgin Islands (in St. Croix) and from the University of Miami. She later began doctoral studies in New York, but decided not to complete the degree and instead concentrate on her classroom work as a teacher. Among other pursuits, Mrs. Hodge has been a music teacher for a number of years.

Rev. & Mrs. Hodge

Towards the end of the service, both Rev. and Mrs. Hodge acknowledged the various tributes paid to them and expressed their thanks and appreciation to all for attending the ceremony. The anniversary service was followed by a reception at the Anguilla Great House.

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