Storm damage cancels watch night services

WESTERN BUREAU:

Reverend Godfrey Watson, chairman of the St Elizabeth Ministers’ Fraternal, says many churches across the parish will forgo their traditional watch night services to welcome the New Year as they continue to grapple with the effects of Hurricane Melissa, particularly widespread damage to electrical infrastructure.

“It is very, very hard because congregations right across denominational barriers have been destroyed, completely or partially,” said Watson, noting that the extent of the damage makes late-night services impractical.

Based on his own experience and observations throughout the parish, Watson said churches are simply not in a position to host watch night services safely.

Watson, who oversees two congregations under the Association of Independent Baptist Churches, said both were affected by the hurricane.

“One roof went off completely and the other partially. We have had to put tarpaulins in place, and we have started having [daylight] services under those conditions,” he explained.

TEMPORARY SOLUTION

At Spice Grove Baptist Church near Parottee, services recommenced under temporary covering from early November. However, at Providence Baptist Church in Hodges Land, the roof was completely destroyed.

“We have been having services since the first Sunday in November,” Watson said, referring to his Spice Grove AIBC congregation. “But it has not been easy.”

He added that the destruction has affected nearly every major Christian denomination in St Elizabeth.

“I have seen the Holiness churches, the Methodists, the Anglicans, the Catholics, the Seventh-day Adventists, the Jehovah’s Witnesses, the AME Zion, right across the board. Many of them have completely lost their roofs. Some of them have not been able to meet at all,” he said.

With many communities still without electricity and debris yet to be fully cleared in some areas, Watson said travelling at night remained unsafe for pastors and congregants.

“Honestly, I am not going out for watch night service. I have to travel very far and without any form of lighting. It would not be safe,” he said.

While some members have suggested candles or flashlights, Watson said most churches would instead turn their focus to daytime worship.

“Most people will concentrate on New Year’s Day service,” he said. “With the help of God, we will get through this, but it is going to be a long haul for some of our churches to really come back together.”

albert.ferguson@gleanerjm.com