Churchgoers are not the only ones who make New Year's resolutions. Several local churches have a few wishes they would like to see realised in 1997.

The Rev. Trevor Woolridge, of Mt. Zion AME Church in Southampton said he hoped that during the new year "the word of God would continue to be spread and bring salvation to this community to help stamp out all the behaviour that is so unlike Bermuda''.

And Mr. Woolridge added that he hoped Santa would surprise them with some major donations so that the church could retire their mortgage.

The Rev. Michael Davis of St. Anne's Church, in Southampton, told The Royal Gazette that St. Anne's aim was to be "a lantern of Jesus for all to see and find faith''.

"Since we are called to be `the light of the world', we must not put the light in a valley where it cannot be seen, but on a hill,'' Mr. Davis said.

"That's our main thrust at St. Anne's.'' Down in St. George's, Rev. Carolyn Macleod of Ebenezer Methodist Churchsaid she wished there would be peace throughout the world and that everyone would be able to live without prejudice.

Major Wilson Noble of the Salvation Army said: " For 1997, we plan to continue following the mission and mandate of the Salvation Army by meeting today's needs today.'' And Seventh Day Adventist President Carlyle Simmons said he hoped that people would look to the Lord in 1997.

"I hope that Bermudians would turn to the Lord in 1997 and spend more time reading the Bible and reflecting on the Lord,'' Pastor Simmons said. "And I hope that they will spend more time in prayer and try to model the life of Jesus in their relationships with others.'' LANTERN OF JESUS -- The Rev. Michael Davis at St. Anne's southampton CHANGE IN BEHAVIOUR -- The Rev. Trevor Woolridge MP