Representatives of the various Anglican parishes on the island meet regularly to formulate the plans and agenda for the upcoming 41st Annual Diocesan Conference of the Anglican Church Men (ACM). Seated (L – R): Averell Mortimer, Regional Secretary; Antonio Moss, St. Jude’s Parish; Chris Culmer, St. Stephen’s Parish; Gifford Bonimy, Church of the Ascension; Ene’ Hanna, St. Mary Magdalene; Morton Wilchcombe, St. Mary Magdalene; Esmond Weekes, ACM Regional Vice President and Committee Chairman; Dwight Johnson, St. Stephen’s Parish; Andrew Been, Church of the Good Shepherd; Don Mitchell, Church of the Good Shepherd; and Oscar Campbell, representing the Pro-Cathedral of Christ the King. Missing are Franklyn McCoy, Wellington Edgecombe, and Samuel Rigby.

Freeport, Bahamas - Annual Diocesan Conference of the Anglican Church Men (ACM) which is set for April 30 – May 4, 2014. This is the first time that the conference will be returning to Grand Bahama since this island hosted the delegates back in 2008. This annual gathering creates an excellent opportunity for the men of the diocese to meet for deliberations, fellowship and charting the course of the organization for the next administrative period.

The Anglican Church Men was originally formed back in 1972 by the late Bishop Michael H. Eldon and the objectives of the organization are to enhance the lay ministry of its members while simultaneously fostering spiritual growth and providing assistance for the clergy. They existed initially in only the larger parishes in New Providence but very quickly spread to the other churches on the island and eventually throughout our Commonwealth and the Turks and Caicos Islands, which along with the islands of The Bahamas, form the diocese.

Through the years the ACM have remained a vibrant entity at both the parochial and diocesan levels while their ministry has grown tremendously and can no longer be viewed from a purely religious aspect as they have embarked on a number of community initiatives and have taken a stand on national issues. But they are not the first men’s organization to be formed within the Anglican diocese, as there was a forerunner which existed for a brief time during the episcopate of Bishop Bernard Markham.

The theme for this year’s conclave is: “ Building Character – Changing Lives” and to this end the men plan to focus on the current plight of our nation’s youth, primarily the young men, many of whom seem to be in a state of crisis in almost every aspect of their lives. They are faced with peer pressure in school and in the places where they go for recreation. As a result they feel the need to either take matters into their own hands or resort to joining gangs in order to have a sense of security and identity. It is no secret that this tendency has led to social degradation within our several communities and the downward spiral that this age group feel they are trapped in.

It is planned that the organization will launch a new initiative which will be focussing on the young men in the communities of West Grand Bahama, from Eight Mile Rock to West End and details of this new programme will be given in a subsequent press release. Attempts are also being made to maximize the involvement of as many men in this diocese which spans two countries and is archipelagic in nature through concessions which are being negotiated with air carriers and on-island accommodations and transportation.

But this will not be the only focus of the conference, as the planning committee has compiled an excellent slate of dynamic, informative and extremely knowledgeable speakers who will also address matters of national and regional importance. This will also be interspersed with times for devotion and worship, as the men will begin each day with a spiritual exercise and observe midday worship. Serving as hosts for this year’s conclave will be the parish of St. Mary Magdalene in the quaint settlement of West End, known as the “Home of Hospitality”. The conference will officially get underway with the opening service which is slated for the historic St. Stephen’s Anglican Church in Eight Mile Rock on the evening of Wednesday, April 30.