Hundreds of children, mostly of primary school age, outfitted in their jeans and orange event t-shirts, participated in the parade with their adult instructors, as they moved from the church headquarters on Infirmary Road, ending at Independence Square where a concert was held.
Antioch’ s Pastor Lincoln Connor described the first week as a tremendous success, especially when they look at the results of their careful planning and the huge turn-out of children and parents. He said the positive attitudes and behaviour of the children, coupled with the overall atmosphere of cordiality and celebration, pleases him and his staff that their efforts have produced another outstanding and successful event.
Over 400 children were involved in the parade following which many took the opportunity to socialize, play games, get their faces painted and enjoy the complementary luncheon provided by the event planners.
This is the second year that the march did not make its way back to the church, which had been the tradition for many years. Pastor Connor explained that starting in 2011 they decided to host a concert and a fine-arts festival, as a spectacle of the vacation bible school. Therefore, this year, the planning committee also took the decision to produce a health festival, giving an added dimension, thereby introducing more creativity and more benefits for the community at large.
As part of the health fair, medical technicians were engaged in the conduct of health screenings for cholesterol, diabetes and blood pressure, at Independence Square; while dental screenings were scheduled for the Newtown Health Centre, not too far away.
The health committee has also conducted a number of seminars for doctors, EMS workers and nurses at the main hospital, JN France, in Basseterre. A 5k fitness run has also been scheduled for Saturday morning, (21st July), while a sports camp is also taking place later in the day.
A rally dedicated to the health workers has been planned for Sunday 22nd July, at 6:00pm, at Government House, in Springfield, Basseterre.
Connor said this year they have been supported by friends and fellow Baptist members from various churches and states in America. These include representatives from Illinois, Georgia, Texas, Florida; and on Saturday, 25 more will be arriving from Ohio.
He said they have developed partnerships with these churches over the years and they have been able to help the local church in meeting some of their needs; and this year happens to be one of the years when the support has been overwhelming with over 100 representatives flying in. They are mostly young people who are committed to giving their service to the cause of the church.
This is the 47th year of Vacation Bible School, which was pioneered by the late founder and former pastor of the church, Dr. William Connor.