The women of St. James Church, setting the bar high as the result of their extremely successful Woman?s Day Service on Sunday, January 18, left the men literally scratching their collective heads, knowing that their day was fast approaching.

The Rev. Emily Gail Dill, Associate Pastor at nearby Vernon AME Church in Southampton, raised the roof of a packed church as she addressed women?s issues based on the teachings of the Bible. The service followed an equally successful breakfast held the day before at the Willowbank retreat when Frances Spring, a member of St James? Pastoral staff spoke. A special Women?s Day choir was formed by church organist Jan Hollis, wife of the Archdeacon, which only added to the many highlights of this eventful weekend. Bouquets of congratulations were (rightfully) heaped on Ms. Marie Simons, Chairperson and Ms. Barbara Lewis Mills, committee member who assisted in putting it altogether. A very strong challenge was thrown out to the Men.

Feeling they had covered all bases, Men?s? chairman Lennie Edwards was forced to call his committee together to come up with more ideas, realising Sunday, February 15 was staring them in the face. Having already invited Home Affairs Minister Randolph Horton to be guest speaker, Robert Edwards, music master at Sandys Secondary School was drafted out of his sick bed to hurriedly put together a men?s choir. A special invitation was sent out to well-known tenor Kenneth Todd of Southampton to assist. On Sunday February 15 (Men?s Day), the ever popular Somerset Brigade Band marched the members of the Somerset Cricket Club from their clubhouse to St. James for the 10.30 a.m. service. The cricket club, celebrating its 102nd anniversary chose St. James as their worship place to give thanks. Colin Smith, club president, was in attendance and with Charles (Batson) Swan, Jr. of St. James, read the morning lessons.

The Men?s? Day theme was indeed a timely and appropriate one, simply entitled, ?In Celebration and Recognition of the life of the late, The Honourable C. Eugene Cox. CBE, JP, MP. Minister of Finance.?

Amongst the many parishioners in attendance were Alinda Cox, her daughter Finance Minister Paula Cox-Nkeulu and son Robert Cox. She was supported by Mary Daniels and family, sister of the late Minister.

The church was packed to capacity to hear Mr. Horton deliver a soul searching address for men, based on the biblical books of Ephesians and 1st Peter.

With Minister Horton sounding more like a Baptist preacher than that of a politician, he left no stone unturned as he spoke for just short of an hour on issues surrounding many of our young men today. Setting his late colleague as a perfect example of a man of vision and destiny, he made very poignant references to the life and service given by Mr. C.Eugene Cox.

To quote many of those in attendance: ?Randy delivered the goods today, just as he always did for the Somerset Cricket Club both in cricket and coccer. He spoke about himself as an aggressive youth, never letting victory out of his sight.

?Having been introduced by his good friend Reggie Tucker (church warden), he told several sporting stories about their exploits on the field of play, later bringing laughter to the magnificent edifice of St. James when needing a glass of water, Reggie Tucker quickly delivered it saying, ?Here comes the water boy,? an obvious reference to their cricketing days.

Minister Horton was well supported by his family, inclusive of his mother Dorothea (Peggy) Horton, his brother and Permanent Secretary Robert Horton and many more Horton/Simmons clan including senior aunts, 94-year-old Christabelle Cann, Enith Simons and Geraldine Bassett.

The Men of St. James sang two Anthems, ?Heaven came down? and the famed Negro national anthem, ?Lift every voice and sing?. Kenneth Todd rendered a solo in tribute to the Cox family, entitled, ?My Tribute? by Andre Crouch. Robert Edwards was organist, pianist and choir master for the service.

Frederick Bean, assisted by St. Clair Lightbourn, conducted the service as worship leader with The Rev. William (Bill) Hayward as celebrant for the day, standing in for Archdeacon (Emeritus) Arnold Hollis who is in the US receiving medical treatment.

The family of St. James are very grateful for the community of Sandys Parish and Bermuda at large in making these two special events and the recently Home coming service the success they were.

The light and friendly banter between the Women and Men of St. James can only be seen as good, as we strive to serve this beautiful community of Sandys Parish through God. With renewed vigour, we remain committed to this challenge.

Note: A quote from our Finance Minister at the end of Men?s Day, speaking with the Men?s? chairman: ?A little competition (from women) is good.?