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We need unity and positive thoughts to progress,? says
Reverend Haynes Hubbard. Photo: Supplied |
REVEREND HAYNES
Hubbard arrived in the Algarve on the weekend of May 5 with a
mission to help heal the rift in the Anglican Church in the Algarve.
No one could have expected that his first role would be to help a
community in crisis deal with the disappearance of Madeleine McCann.
With the eyes of
the international media firmly placed on the small town of Praia da
Luz, the church has become a focal point and a centre for the
community to come together and particularly for Gerry and Kate
McCann to remain positive that their daughter will be returned
safely.
Reaching out
The disappearance
of Madeleine has highlighted that there are more important things
than the current division in the Algarve Anglican community. The
church has been a place to eradicate any exhaustion and despair the
community has been feeling since May 3.
?The services we
have held since Madeleines disappearance have been powerful and
uplifting. I gain strength from seeing the McCanns? smiling in the
front row and by coming together we uphold a determined hope,? said
Mr Hubbard.
Mr Hubbard's new
official position is the senior chaplain for the whole of the
Algarve, incorporating the three congregations at Praia da Luz,
Almancil and Santa B?bara de Nexe (St. Vincent's).
After a year long
period without a full time chaplain, Mr Hubbard has arrived with a
clear mandate: to make people let go of the past and change the
language being exchanged among the Algarve congregations.
He is beginning
his work in tragic circumstances but believes that it has created an
opportunity for unity among the congregation and hopes that it can
reach out and support the whole community. ?It is also an
opportunity to share and deepen our relationship with the Catholic
Church,? he said.
?We need unity
and positive thoughts to progress. The church is a place to worship
and grow. We are starting a new chapter and we must show that we are
progressive. Through effort, hard work, prayer and humility, things
can be improved,? he said.
Challenging times
Mr Hubbard is
looking forward to the challenge ahead with regards to uniting the
Anglican Church in the Algarve and feels he has been extremely
welcomed by the community. He affirmed that he will be on hand to
offer support to the McCanns and the community throughout this
difficult time.
?Everyone is
frightened but this is a divine moment that God has called us all
to. It is times of crisis when God can help us the most,? he said.
The Bishop of
Gibraltar in Europe, Dr Geoff Rowell will be at the Institution and
Induction of St. Vincent's new chaplain, Reverend Haynes Hubbard
tomorrow (May 19), at Nossa Senhora de Fatima Church in Almancil. |