BISHOP Goodwin C. Smith and his wife Lady Ruby O.S. Smith were roundly applauded by 200 guests as they made a grand entrance at the gala dinner on Saturday night at the Fairmont Southampton Princess Hotel held in their honour.

The event was the social highlight of a long weekend of activities celebrating the 31st anniversary of his holding the office of bishop.

In case there are any Bermudians who are not familiar with the name of Rt. Rev. Dr. Goodwin Smith, he is the Administrative Bishop of the New Testament Churches of God in Bermuda, and also, if we may be so bold as to say, the builder of the impressive, state-of-the-art Heritage Worship Centre. It is situated on the corner of Union and Dr. E.F. Gordon Squares in Dundonald Street, Hamilton.

The pastors and congregations of the various churches were joined by other religious, civic and political leaders in paying tribute to Dr. and Mrs. Smith.

The celebrations got into high gear last Friday with a Thanksgiving Service at Heritage Centre, followed on the Sunday by a Thanksgiving Service, and concluded with "fellowship" or a repast in the Goodwin C. Smith Hall.

There were no formal speeches at the gala banquet. Deputy Premier Ewart Brown brought greetings and congratulations from the Government. The centrepiece of the evening was a skit by Minister Rudolph Ebbin, literally roasting Bishop Smith over aspects and antics of his evolution as a boy, man and bishop.

Dr. Smith was born on June 28, 1936, the first son of the late Wilfred and Ursula Smith. His siblings, two elder sisters and one younger brother, made up the family of six who lived in Hamilton Parish. He and his wife Ruby were married 46 years ago.

From this union in 1958, they have been blessed with a daughter, Gayna Cathy. They have one son-in-law, Michael Joynes, and four grandchildren, Olivia, Tiffani, Michael, Jr. and Micah. Olivia, who is studying in London, and the bishop's sister Lavender, who is in Philadelphia, were the only members of the family unable to attend the gala. However, they sent audio visual salutations.

In his salad or secular days, "Goodie" Smith, as he was popularly known, participated in sports at an early age. A cricketer with both the Hamilton Parish Workman's Club and the Warwick Workman's Club, he is also a past member of the Bermuda Referees Association.

BEFORE his conversion he was the manager of Gosling Brothers Bonded Warehouse. He enjoys playing golf in his spare time. Dr. Smith gave his life over to the Lord in 1963. He has taught Sunday school and, was also the Dean of the NTCOG Bible School of some 25 persons, who, upon completion of their studies travelled to the US for their graduation ceremony.

Dr. Smith has received wide recognition for his innovative and inspiring leadership roles, both in the church and community, in Bermuda and abroad. He was awarded the MBE in the Queen's Honours List.

He has served on numerous Government boards and committees. He served as chairman of the Human Rights Commission, member of the Defence Exemption Tribunal, the Defence Board, Special Courts Panel, and serves on the Arbitration's Tribunal. Since January 2004 he has been a member of the Essential Industries Disputes Settlement Board, the Board of Immigration, the Permanent Arbitration Tribunal and the Bermuda Housing Corporation.

Our pictures show Bishop and Lady Smith with their daughter Gayna and her husband Michael Joynes and grandchildren Mikie and Micha Joynes (top) and on arrival.