Published 12 August 2019
Buckie Got It, St. Kitts and Nevis News Source
Nurture children to grow up in service to God, PM Harris implores parents
BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, August 12, 2019 (PLP PR Media Inc.) — Eleven-month old Ivan Connor Jr was the centre of attention on Sunday August 11 when his parents and godparents presented him to Rev Adelyn Mgonela for baptism during the morning worship service at the Estridge Moravian Church in Mansion.
While he might be too young to comprehend why he was centre of attention, the church leadership and membership did not miss its significance as Prime Minister of the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis, Dr the Hon Timothy Harris, was one of the godparents putting forward the youngest church member up for baptism.
“In Scriptures children are described in very positive ways,” said Prime Minister Harris at the end of the solemn service. “Indeed invariably they are described as blessings of the womb and part of the obligation of parents and significant adults really is to help nurture them so that they could grow up in knowledge, in love, and in service to God.”
The proud parents, Mr Ivan Connor and Ms Jeniece Prentice, were supported by their son’s godparents, Prime Minister Harris, Mr Bruce Penny, Mr Cheston Moore, Mr Denville Francis, and Ms Venetta Frederick. Also present were the child’s grandmother, Ms Merlene Connor, and other family members and friends.
“I took it as a special honour and a privilege today, that I had the opportunity to be a godfather to one of my constituents and to wish the parents all the very best and to play a constructive role in the development of young children,” said Prime Minister Harris, who also the Area Parliamentary Representative for St. Christopher Seven.
Before the baptism, Rev Adelyn Mgonela explained the rationale of the church’s baptism of children stating that in the Old Testament male children would be circumcised as it was the sign of the covenant with God. However, in the New Testament the covenant of grace is the sign of the covenant in the baptism, stressing that the child is blessed because of the parents’ faith.
The Honourable Prime Minister also concurred saying that baptism is an important exercise, as it is one way in which people signal the importance of God in the lives of the young people, “and of course for Him to be their anchor as they go through the many changes and evolutions and transformations throughout their own stint on earth.”
Prime Minister Harris, who is also the National Political Leader of the Peoples Labour Party, one of the three parties in the ruling Team Unity Administration, was accompanied by members of Constituency Number Seven Group that also included PLP’s National Women’s Representative Mrs Sonia Henry. Also present were members of PLP Constituency Number Five Executive Branch, Vice Chairperson Ms Marsha Lewis, and Women’s Representative Ms Janice Lewis.
ENDS
Pix captions:
1: Pastor at the Estridge Moravian Church Rev Adelyn Mgonela leads in prayer in preparation for the baptism of Baby Ivan Connor Jr, who is being held by his father.
2: Ms Jeniece Prentice showing off the baptismal candidate to one of his godfathers, Prime Minister Dr the Hon Timothy Harris.
3: Prime Minister Harris, holding Baby Ivan, poses for a group picture with the baby’s parents, godparents and its grandmother.
4: Members of Constituency Number Seven Group who accompanied the Prime Minister to church pose for a picture with parents and godparents of Baby Ivan.
