Dear Sir, Before the Rev. Thacker came to Bermuda to be the rector of St. Mark's church, he had heard of its reputation as being conservative, stiff and unloving. He felt that there were a lot of strikes against him coming, but he always believed God had a plan for the congregation of St. Mark's, and that God was in control, as He always is. He believed that we were brought together against the odds, and over the past nine years, God had used us to heal each other.

During Rev. Thacker's farewell sermon he shared the following thoughts with us.

He said that in the coming months we would be choosing a new rector. He said that God has a purpose for us, and God's will, will be done.

He foresaw that the search for a new rector would be a time of anxiety and confusion and there would be a lot of political infighting involved. He asked us to remember the process that brought him and the congregation of St. Mark's together, and to always remember that God is in control. God has a plan for all of us and God has set us on a path. Because God is calling someone else to the Ministry of St. Mark's, does not mean that we should step from this path.

Rev. Thacker said the single thing which stood head and shoulders above everything else that was accomplished during his nine years at St. Mark's Church, was the development of the mission statement which is: "Our mission is to be a community in which all people may know the healing love and joy of our Lord Jesus; grow in faith; and express it through personal witness and community service.'' During his last sermon Rev. Thacker said the mission may change when a new rector comes, but we should remember that through our church we are bound together by our fellowship, and are committed to God and one another.

He said that if anyone decided to stay away from church to lay back to wait and see what happens, the rest of the congregation needs to go after that person to bring them back, because we need them.

Rev. Thacker said this was not a time to draw our wagons in a circle and protect ourselves. This would be a time to keep our hearts open. He said we must continue to pray together. Our faith must always be present, with or without a priest, and whether we like the new priest or not. Our mission is to put our faith into action. He said we must not let Satan tempt us to step back, and remember that Jesus went to the cross for us. This is not a time to think of, or take care of ourselves. It is a time when we should think how we can take care of others. Remember the mission of St. Mark's Church, and never forget that God is in control.

During his sermon, Rev. Thacker told us to stay the course, and remember that where we are now, is where we have been led. When the new rector for St.

Mark's Church comes, don't be afraid to change. He reminded us that God had brought us together to change things, and we did.

His advice was that when the new rector comes, be prepared to give the new relationship time to grow before deciding whether we like him or not. He said we should not stop coming to church, or go to another church for at least one year. Some won't like the new rector, and may not be able to adjust to their new style. He advised us not to make trouble, and not to start agitating. He said nothing is more disgusting than people who sniff around and make trouble.

If after a year it becomes obvious that the unhappy members of the congregation can't influence change in a loving manner, then they should quietly and graciously find another church, rather than staying and becoming a trouble maker. No-one should leave in a big and dramatic huff. We should always remember that God is in control and if we feel we don't fit in any more, maybe it's because God has plans for us to minister in another way, in another community.

We should all remain faithful, pray. We should trust each other, cooperate with each other, and disagree in love. We need to forgive each other even more than before, and continue our work in love, and enjoy one another.

Rev. Thacker's closing comments were: Remember that this is God's Church, and God has a plan. The congregation of St. Mark's church and the new rector must be prepared to submit to God's will.

REMAINING FAITHFUL Smith's Parish A sad state of affairs February 17 It would appear that you have been asked to be very careful when reporting on the St. Mark's Church problem. And it is a problem. There are no members of the choir anymore -- not one, and we had the most beautiful choir in the whole of Bermuda even to the point that it gave concerts during the year. This is sad. The children in the Sunday School do not want to go over to Church to listen to "that man'' -- he speaks to them of death and other topics which could give little ones nightmares, he should speak on Bible stories such as the walking on the water, the loaves and fishes or other stories which will stay in their minds for ever -- they did me.

I think it should be pointed out that last Sunday there were under 40 people who stood up when the Bishop asked all of the St. Mark's parishioners to stand and acknowledge their new Rector. That is very sad. If you take the Vestry and their spouses who should have been present -- that would make say 20 (give or take a few), about 6 members of the Hayward family who live in Smiths, the Governor's ADC who was an active member of St. Mark's and had to be present with the Governor; and I know Stanley Woolridge and his family went to "look'' so it does not make many of the regular St. Mark's family there.

Someone even likened the installation to a Woolridge funeral by the turn out.

Gary Burgess refused to sing when asked. A great many of the regular members have already indicated that they no longer plan to pledge to St. Mark's Church and many have even gone to the Methodist Church and the AME.

So we are all being spread out and this is upsetting for us all.

CONCERNED MEMBER OF ST. MARK'S FAMILY What would Jesus do? February 25, 2000 Dear Sir, As the weeks have passed I have read in your paper about the hypocrites that no longer attend St. Marks Anglican Church because of a priest who they say is not qualified. I have also read a couple of letters to the editor from some ex parishioners of St. Marks and all I can say is that they should be ashamed for even doing so. They have no reason to attack the Rev. William Hayward.

I'm not Anglican, I'm Roman Catholic and also still a teen. Even though I'm young I have the common sense to never leave my church because of a priest. We are a family and once we leave our church because of a priest, not only did you hurt the priest but you also abandoned your worship family. I know what they want, they want the best but guess what? Everyone wants the best. The people who no longer attend St. Marks should ask themselves one question. What Would Jesus Do? I know that he would never act the way they did.

The message is return into your family. Do not let is fall apart because if it does it's the fault of the attendees who refuse to come and that's a big sin.

For you will break a house of God and a shame it would be. That's what's wrong with so much people. Where is the appreciation for this man to giving his life to God. He could have been a big business man but instead he offered his life to preach the gospel of God to people like you and I. The hypocrites want the best, but guess what you're not close to being the best follower of God especially leaving your Christian Family. So, please I don't want to offend you but just ask yourself one question and that is, "WHAT WOULD JESUS DO?'' IN JESUS NAME Devonshire So easy to blame others February 23, 2000 Dear Sir, The comments expressed by Environment Minister Arthur Hodgson in today's article "Hodgson worries about the danger of foreigners'' are not only frightening (to say the least), but are insulting and potentially very detrimental to Bermudians themselves.

It is certainly not a new idea to blame outsiders during times of economic uncertainty (just look at Germany -- indeed a sense of history is important , as Mr Hodgson himself states). This type of hate-mongering, however, is a very dangerous path to start down. Blaming others for a society's own troubles is counter-productive. Through blame, one neglects one's own role in both: the problems and the solutions. It is akin to the parent of a delinquent child forever blaming his behaviour on friends or those around him but never taking responsibity for the child or the problem. The easiest thing in the world is to lay blame -- the most difficult thing is to take an honest look at oneself (warts and all!).

While immigration policy does create a unique set of circumstances for Bermuda (which has been discussed extensively), let's be honest and ask the question: Could not Bermuda's own greed also be a key factor in the many problems it is facing? Mr. Hodgson says that people have to work two or three jobs to make enough money. Why? Because there is no affordable housing. Certainly, the influx of foreigners have made it possible to charge outrageous rents but who is charging these rents? And why? Could it be the greed of your fellow Bermudians that's forcing you to work two or three jobs? Or is that too ugly to think about? Let's look at Mr Hodgson's views on the drug problem. He blames Bermuda's drug problem on the influx of foreigners, which makes Bermudians feel alienated (so that they don't want to participate). Now, just looking at the papers for the past few weeks, I see that: two customs officers and three airport workers have been arrested for their alleged involvement in the supply of drugs.

Customs and airport workers accused of supplying drugs!! (And not just a small quantity -- more than a half million dollars worth combined!) Not to mention a Police officer accused of smoking drugs while on duty! Yes, perhaps it is foreigners that made this happen (it's certainly easier just to think that).

Let's not forget, though, these people -- who have been accused, but remain innocent until proven guilty -- not only had jobs, but good jobs.

Another example from recent news: police officers involved in pyramid schemes.

Immigration policy.. .or greed? Now, I do agree with Mr. Hodgson that Bermuda needs more tourists. However, having said that, the Environment Minister goes on to blame Americans for (in his opinion), Bermuda's disappearing culture by saying, "we talk like Americans because of tourists and visitors from America''. Yes, Bermuda needs to keep its culture alive (and let's not forget the foreign companies that sponsor the Bermuda Festival and others like it geared to Bermuda's culture), but the answer is not to get rid of expats and tourists. (However, the animosity that comments like Mr. Hodgson's invite will inevitably take care of the problem of repeat tourists on its own). Keep your culture alive by taking charge, and finding solutions instead of finger-pointing (and taking down the ugly satellite dishes that bring American culture into your homes day and night might be a good starting point).

I'm hoping that Bermuda's youth does not buy into this way of thinking.

Complacency and blame, although easy, is no solution. Bermuda's people deserve better. Instead of Government worrying about bigger cars (greed?), let's find some real solutions. In order to move forward, hate and blame has no place in the solution -- give Bermudians more credit. Bermudians demand quality education, demand affordable housing. Tolerance is necessary in this global economy. Be proud. Embrace your culture and then you are free to love and respect others no matter what colour, no matter what culture. Always remember the importance of: forward thinking, hard work, taking charge and taking pride in yourself, and most importantly, in...one love.

HOPEFUL Southampton Heed Wiesenthal's words February 24, 2000 Dear Sir, Any worldly Bermudian reading the interview in yesterday's RG with Mr. Hodgson should be having sleepless nights for as long as we are served up these xenophobic excuses for this insular society's failure to come to terms with an apparent congenital absence of personal responsibility.

There is absolutely nothing new, unique, or even remotely laudable in the Environment Minister's focus on foreigners to excuse antisocial behaviour and educationally dysfunctional Bermudians. Hitler pioneered this logic of mass delusion, which has been copied repeatedly by anti-immigration parties representing the far right: the likes of Le Penn in France, Milosovic in Serbia, the Vlamms Blok in Belgium and most recently Haider's Freedom party in Austria.

The root cause of our Bermudian society's failures lies fairly and squarely with lack of self worth -- absence of self-esteem if you prefer -- the seeds of which can only be sewn at a very early age within the dysfunctional family.

An honest review of exactly who is in trouble, unemployed -- or more to the point unemployable -- abusing themselves with drugs, abusing other members of society including spouses, live-in friends and children; reveals an unpalatable tale of non-parenting, teenagers having babies like trophies for boy-friends, and street kids rearing themselves. These truths are not to be laid at the door of, and blamed on, the unsuspecting foreigner who comes to these shores at our invitation, and in the majority of cases brings with them a well adjusted work ethic, productivity and general fresh air, which is the life-raft of Bermuda's economy.

Simon Wiesenthal's comment to a popular Austrian newsmagazine: Profil during an interview exploring his attitude to the right wing upsurge and the conservative party's such lust for power leading them to a Faustian pact with the Freedom Party, is worth translating. He simply said (and he was referring to the mainstay of the Austrian economy: tourism) that many other countries have for sale what Austria has to offer. He also said of their new government: government is not the place to prove something (meaning it is a place to govern not to use the machinery of government to put across political ideology or make a point.) Authur Hodgson should heed the words of a wise statesman, patriot and one who has suffered at the hands of ethnic-nationalist ideology put into practice.

The truth: do away with the foreigner, Mr. Hodgson and this society really will break down.

ISOLATED City of Hamilton