Liberia: SAECM Holds First Retreat

The Saint Augustine Episcopal Church Men (SAECM) have held its first retreat in Robertsport, Grand Cape Mount Count.

The Church, located in Bardnersville, held its retreat under the theme: “Accepting and working together for the growth of the Church,” was held at the Saint John Irving Memorial Church on Saturday, March 16, 2013.

In his address, the President of the Episcopal Church Men of Liberia (ECML) Wilson Garpeh said the process of working together requires different views but must be in the interest of the Church.

He said differences should not break the foundation of the Episcopal Church, adding “we must disagree to agree.”

He observed that respect for each other helps one to understand the workings of the Church.

“Differences of opinions must be respected. We are better glue together if we respect each other,” Garpeh told St. Augustine Episcopal Men.

The Episcopal Church Men President stressed that reconciliation and working as a unit would enhance the growth of the Church because, according to him, “the Church is our common denominator, so we must accept each other. We must mitigate hard feelings.”

For his part, the President of the St. Augustine Episcopal Church Men, Mr. Prince Bolden told the gathering that he was glad to hold a successful retreat of the men’s of St. Augustine Church.

He assured that the men will continue to be supportive of every project that will ensure the growth of the Church. Mr. Bolden provided briefings on the operations of SAECM including the current conflict within the Church.

He warned members of the Church against branding the men as trouble makers, adding “we only want to see the right things done in accordance with the canon (Constitution) of the Episcopal Church of Liberia.”

The retreat was attended by the men of the St. Augustine Episcopal Church in Kakata, St. John Irving Memorial Episcopal Church and other prominent members of the Episcopal Diocese of Liberia.