Religion of Wednesday, 26 December 2007

Source: GNA

Methodist Church supports its aged members

Cape Coast, Dec 26, GNA- It was a sight to watch, as members of the Wesley Methodist Church in Cape Coast, on Boxing Day took the floor and danced to choral music, as they were feted by the Church. The elderly, most of them women and aged 70 years and above, with most of them barely able to walk, trudged to the open space near the pulpit and danced to the admiration of the younger members. They were also given soft drinks and cake and ice cream, and presented with unspecified amounts of money and parcels, bread, cake, matches and soap, all worth A212.78 million cedis.

The Church, to honour its aged members, holds the event annually. Preaching the sermon, the Very Reverend John Atsenka Crentsil, former Diocesan Administrator of the Church, said the birth of Christ symbolized humility, since God selected the humble and not the high people in society to break the news of the birth of His Son. He said there was the need for humankind to live in harmony with one another, as the birth of Christ brought unity.

Rev Crentril bemoaned that some Christians have become habitual litigants, walking the corridors of the law courts and engaging in other anti-Christian behaviour.

He urged the older members of the Church to advise and guide the youth to enable them lead morally upright and worthy lives so that they could become responsible citizens. The Very Rev. Theophilus Anderson, Superintendent Minister of the Cape Coast Circuit of the Church, said there was the need for humankind to constantly express gratitude to God, for His grace and mercy. He said the Church would continue to support its aged members and that next year, free medical care would be organized for them in addition to the regular party and merry making. The Church, he said would also hold seminars for its members who are on the verge of retirement, to enable them prepare effectively towards that period.

Rev Isaac Boateng, Minister in charge of the Wesley Methodist Church in Cape Coast charge, urged relatives of the aged and needy members to take good care of them. Members of the Lions Club, had earlier presented four crates of soft drinks and cake for the aged and 100 Ghana cedis to the Church, to support its work, while the Susanna Wesley Mission Auxillary, a benevolent society, also presented soap, packets of matches and ice cream to the Church.