The annual Diocesan Service of the Anglican Church in Barbados will take place on Sunday in Independence Square, Bridgetown, beginning at 3:30 p.m.
One thousand chairs will be provided for seating but people can bring along folding chairs, stools or other chairs. There will be no procession so there is no need to wear robes.
This year’s service, which has as its theme Heralds Of The Good News, will call on Anglicans to focus on evangelism during 2012. The service will be conducted by Rev. Michael Maxwell and will feature special music and testimonies.
The preacher will be the distinguished and noted bishop of Central Pennsylvania, United States, the Right Rev. Dr Nathan Baxter.
Bishop Baxter served 12 years as dean of the National Cathedral in Washington, DC. During his ministry there he led many national worship events including President George W. Bush’s first Presidential Inauguration Service.
At the request of?President William J. Clinton, he delivered the White House Millennium Prayer that was encapsulated for the next millennium celebration. Â
Most notably, at the request of President Bush, he led the internationally televised National Day Of Prayer And Remembrance Service at the cathedral following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
Baxter has been selected as preacher for the funerals of many prominent Americans, including Thurgood Marshall, and the United States memorial service for Princess Diana.
He also directed the planning for the funeral of former President Ronald Reagan.
An associate of the Monastic Order of the Holy Cross, Baxter was made a chaplain of the Most Venerable Order of St?John of Jerusalem by order of the Queen.
A life member of the?Union of Black Episcopalians and the National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People, he is also an army veteran and recipient of the Vietnam Cross Of Gallantry With Palm and the Combat Medic’s Badge.
He is also the recipient of eight honorary doctorates.
He is married to Mary Ellen Walker-Baxter, an educator and musician with degrees from Hampton and Harvard Universities. The Baxters have two adult children, two foster children and nine grandchildren.