Hundreds turned out to fill the Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity a special diocesan Pentecost service yesterday morning to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Anglican Church of Bermuda. Pentecost commemorates the Holy Spirit descending on the Apostles with tongues of fire, and was signified by the red robes ? chasubles ? worn by the diocesan clergy. The services started with a parade of youngsters from the churches marching behind parish banners from the Cathedral Hall into the Cathedral.

They were followed by clergy of the Diocese from licensed Eucharistic ministers and parish workers to the Bishop of Bermuda, the Rt. Rev. Ewen Ratteray, and the guest preacher, the Rt. Rev. Christopher Luxmoore, former Bishop of Bermuda.

Many lay people took part in the service, with scripture readings by Ms Ann Hines of Holy Trinity, Hamilton Parish, Ms Allison Maiden of St. Anne?s, Southampton, and Mr. Michael Minors of Christ Church, Devonshire.

The Archdeacon, the Rev. Andrew Doughty, read the Gospel. Between the first and second reading the Shine On Liturgical Dance troupe interpreted a special act of worship in performing to a song by Cece Winans ? ?Holy Spirit come fill this place?. Members of the troupe are Melody Parris, Dance Leader; Shirley Christopher; Gaynette Hayward; Ilys Herbert; Claudette DeRosa; Michelle DeSilva; Nicole Lewis; Una Lewis; Peggy Mello; Cecily Smith and Gloria Williams.

Intercessions during the service were given by youthful members of the churches including Amber White of St. Monica?s, Pembroke, Melissa Marshal of St. Anne?s, Southampton, Lorenzo Whitehurst of Christ Church, Devonshire, Thomas Alexander of St. James the Greater, Sandys, Ffion Davis of St. Paul?s, Paget and Lawrence Doughty of St. Mary?s Warwick.

In his sermon, Bishop Luxmoore said the Anglican Church was in Bermuda from the beginning. Parson Richard Bucke was one of the passengers on the and recited prayers of thankfulness when the crew and passengers arrived safely on shore.

Speaking about the history of the church in Bermuda, Bishop Luxmoore moved on to the independence of the church and its renaming as the Anglican Church of Bermuda 30 years ago.

Then, nine years ago, the Rev. Ewen Ratteray was named the first Bermudian Bishop and the first black Bishop.

?Anglicans in Bermuda have much to be thankful for,? he said.

The hundreds of worshipers left their pews to come to the clergy to receive Holy Communion and ended the service with the singing of ?We have a Gospel to proclaim? followed by a recessional parade out of the church.