President & General Superintendent
Bishop Charles A. Seaton
13A Solberg
P.O. Box 1045, Charlotte Amalie
St. Thomas, USVI 00804

3rd September 2019

Dear Brothers and Sisters

As we begin this new church year, 2019 – 2020, I greet you in the name of our risen Lord. Indeed, with the hymn writer, “we praise Him for all that is past, and trust Him for all that is to come.”

The theme for this triennium, “Grounded in Christ: Loving – Serving – Rejoicing,” serves to remind us that our relationship in Christ and the necessary outflow of such relationships are characterized by love, and joy as we seek to serve each other because of Him.

We enter this year with the reminder of the challenges we continue to face. Several of our Circuits are still struggling to rebuild after the devastating hurricanes of 2017 at a time when we are already being threatened by an already active hurricane season. In addition, we are bombarded by the continuing issues of crime, economies that are failing, moral decline and for many, a future that seems uncertain.

Speaking of hurricanes, our lives here in the St. Thomas/ St. John Circuit were disrupted by the unpredictably Dorian who not only changed course on us at last minute but developed into a hurricane right at our doorstep. Thank God that we did not suffer any serious damages, apart from some measure of disruption and inconvenience, hence my letter a week later.

Unfortunately, we cannot say the same for our brothers and sisters in the Bahamas, particularly in Abaco and Grand Bahama, as they have been overpowered by the terrifying Dorian.

We need to begin to prepare to make a response to our sister District. I await words from the District President, Bishop Rolle and would inform you through your superintendents. Kindly allow God to guide your hearts in this regard. In addition, we hold in prayer those who lie in its path as it continues its rampage. Let us not be careless in our own preparation as we are at the height of the season. May God be gracious to us!

In all of this though, we share the hymn writer’s assurance, “sometimes a light surprises the Christian while he sings. It is the Lord who rises with healing in his wings.” We are being urged not to despair, for out of brokenness and gloom, there are many signs of hope and renewal.

This year, the call is for us all, to deepen our relationship with Christ, and be bold in proclaiming that grace in our relationships, service and work in our homes, church and communities.

I therefore wish for you, your families and church, a year of confidence in our grounding in Christ and all that it means for us as the people of God.

Yours because of Christ,

Bishop Charles A. Seaton
District President