Fully regaled members of the Somerset and Hamilton Districts of the Independent Order of Manchester Unity Oddfellows turned out in impressive numbers Sunday for their 91st Annual Thanksgiving Service at St. James Anglican Church, Somerset.

The second Sunday in October is observed universally for MU Oddfellows to join in a Thanksgiving Service. And for many decades, lodges in the two districts have alternated hosting the service. It was the turn this time of Somerset and its Loyal Irresistible Lodge No. 6587. Its officers and members did so in tandem with the Young At Heart seniors auxiliary of St. James Church, headed by Mrs. Dorothy Morrissey and assistant chairlady Mrs. Ruth Riley. Some of the Odd Fellows also belong to the auxiliary.

Guest preacher at the service was the Rev. Danette Ming of the New Testament of God, Miracle Temple. She spoke of her deep respect for Seniors. The theme of her sermon was "Don't Worry, Be Happy", based on Matthew 6: 25-34. St. James, she said, had every right to celebrate Seniors, with so much turmoil on the island including gang violence, increasing death rate of young black males and the increase in crime.

In this 21st Century, seniors had much more going for them than some of our youth who were behaving like "rum rats", declared Rev. Ming, noting they were born in the latter part of the 20th Century. Seniors born in the 1920s and '30s could attest to outhouses and dipping water. "Few of our young folk would survive beyond a few days if they had to relate to such things."

Some dread the words "old age" while others regard them with a sense of joy. To some seniors, the words mean free time, retirement and a stress-free life; and because of life's experiences the ability to share much wisdom to persons of all age. Rev.Ming's exhortation to the seniors thus was "Be Happy, Don't Worry", for all of the reasons detailed in Matthew 6: 25-34."