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REVEREND CLAIRE ROBINSON OF BAHAMAS TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS

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August 28, 2025

 

For the first time in its 213-year history, the Methodist Church of the Caribbean and the Americas (MCCA) will induct a female president/bishop for The Bahamas Turks and Caicos Islands Conference.

Reverend Claire Robinson of Bahamas Turks and Caicos Islands (BTCI) will be installed as the conference’s spiritual leader on Sunday, September 7, during a service at Wesley Methodist Church, Malcolm Road, New Providence.

Robinson’s induction service will be led by Reverend Ron Juan Simson, connectional president, who is stationed at MCCA headquarters in Antigua and Barbuda, the first island where Methodism commenced in the Caribbean.

The induction service will also see the installation of Esther Joy Sargent as vice president, and reverends Kelli Jolly as conference secretary, Emily Demeritte as assistant secretary and Jerry Rolle as conference treasurer.

Robinson was elected to the position during the recent annual session of the BTCI which was held at Rhodes Memorial Church, New Providence.

Robinson assumes the office following previous leadership which included the Reverends R. P. Dyer, W.T. Makepeace, Charles C. Curry, Edwin Taylor, J. Emmet Weir, Raymond Neilly and Theophilus Rolle.

Robinson serves as an itinerant presbyter in the MCCA and held the distinction of being the first female itinerant presbyter and first woman superintendent minister for both North and South Turks and Caicos Islands circuits.

Coming under Robinson will be The Bahamas Conference of the Methodist Church, which has 37 churches, throughout the country.

The Methodist Church of The Bahamas was formed in July 1993 by an act of The Bahamas Parliament.

According to BCMC history, since 1800, the church was a part of the British Methodist Mission. In 1968, one year later than the rest of the Caribbean districts, The BCMC joined the Methodist church in the Caribbean and the Americas (MCCA). In 1967 the Methodist churches in the Caribbean and some countries in Central America had been granted autonomy by the British Methodist Conference. And in 1990, The Bahamas District of the Methodist Church passed a resolution in its January district synod to move for self-governance and autonomy.

According to MCCA history, it is generally accepted that Methodism came to the Caribbean in 1760 through a planter from Antigua, named Nathaniel Gilbert. And that it was sometime in 1755, that Gilbert read a treatise of John Wesley, “An Appeal to Men of Reason and Religion” and that he was never the same man after reading the pamphlet.

As a result of reading the pamphlet, Gilbert traveled to England with three of his slaves. A drawing room meeting was arranged in Wandsworth on January 15, 1759, with Wesley as the preacher. Gilbert and two of his slaves – one of whom was called Bessie, were converted. He returned to the West Indies in 1759. With his return, Gilbert began to preach to his slaves in Antigua.

Upon his death in 1774 the work was continued for a year by his brother, Francis Gilbert, who later had to return to England owing to ill health. At that time, the history shows there were approximately 200 Methodists in Antigua. The work was carried on by a “negress and a mulatto” — Sophia Campbell and Mary Alley who kept the “flock together” by continuing with class meetings and prayer meetings, as best they could.

John Baxter, a Methodist preacher from Chatham, England, arrived in Antigua on April 2, 1778, after hearing about the works of the Gilberts, and of the “flock” that awaiting a “new shepherd.” Within a year, church history said the Methodist community had grown to 2,000 people and by 1783, the first Methodist chapel was built in St. John’s, Antigua, with Baxter as the local preacher.

Reverend Dr. Thomas Coke arrived in Antigua on December 25, 1786, by chance. He had been traveling to Nova Scotia, but his ship was blown off course. Coke was made superintendent of the church in America by Wesley in 1784. It was in 1786 that the missionary endeavor to the Caribbean was officially recognized by the conference in England.

Between 1786 and 1794, Joseph Paul, who was of African descent, came to Abaco from North America. He later moved to New Providence, and gathered a class of five to begin the work of Methodism in The Bahamas.

In 1884, an attempt was made at autonomy with the formation of two West Indian Conferences. By 1903, the history shows the venture had failed. And that it was not until the 1960s that another attempt was made at autonomy.

The second attempt resulted in the formation of the MCCA in May 1967.

MCCA has eight districts – Bahamas/Turks and Caicos Islands; Belize/Honduras; Guyana; Haiti; Jamaica; Leeward Islands; Panama/Costa Rica; and South Caribbean.

Since its early beginnings, the Methodist church has made significant civic, social and educational contributions in The Bahamas – significantly, Queen’s College opened in 1890 to educate Bahamians and other students.

Robinson serves as an itinerant presbyter in the MCCA and held the distinction of being the first female itinerant presbyter and first woman superintendent minister for both North and South Turks and Caicos Islands circuits.

Robinson’s induction service will broadcast on ZNS on Sunday, September 7 at 10 a.m.

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Bahamas News

Monument Beverage Co. Caribbean Wines & Spirits Uniquely Bahamian Newest Product

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NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines & Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wines and spirits distributor is proud to announce the launch of Monument Beverage Co., its newest 100% locally produced ready-to-drink alcoholic cocktail.

Monument, “Made to Celebrate”, perfectly encapsulates everything the brand represents. Created and distributed by CWS, Monument is inspired by culture, crafted with excellence and bursting with innovation.

This unique beverage celebrates island living with three bold flavors, Ginger Lime, Peach Passion and Melon Fizz. All of which can be enjoyed at an ABV of five-point-two percent.

The brand’s creativity really shines through each can’s packaging. Bold colored stripes, cherished native flora and fauna and of course, national monuments can all be found on each can.

The beverage’s two year plus development is a testament to CWS’ dedication to quality and innovation. Countless hours of tastings, reformulations, focus groups and package design reviews all paid off with the creation of Monument.

Karla Wells-Lisgaris, Chief Commercial Officer of Caribbean Wines & Spirits and Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Coca-Cola and Dasani products, shared what this authentically Bahamian made product launch means for the company.

“When we were conceptualizing Monument, we wanted to create a product that not only tasted like The Bahamas but would be an ode to the nation as well. With those two thoughts in mind, I, along with a team of experts, created three incredible flavors we believe really connect with and celebrate the essence of island living,” she said.

“Additionally, being that Monument is the first product to be 100% manufactured by Caribbean Wines & Spirits, we really wanted to ensure that both the flavors and packaging honored our rich heritage. On each of the cans, you can find various monuments such as the Nassau Public Library in New Providence, the Garden of the Grove in Grand Bahama and the Hatchet Bay Silos in Eleuthera; all of which pay homage to our diverse Bahamian heritage.” Wells-Lisgaris concluded.”

The historic monuments found throughout our islands are more than places we pass every day; they are reminders of who we are, where we’ve come from and the stories that connect us as Bahamians.

Monument is perfectly formulated with quality ingredients, and each can celebrates a collection of these cultural icons from across The Bahamas.

Whether chilling solo beachside, gathered around a family table or backyard a grill with friends, make Monument your sip of choice.  Monument is made to celebrate, visit  www.cwsbahamas.com today for more details.

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Lady Kayla Crowned Goombay Punch Cup Sailing Champion of 2025/2026

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L–R: Joss Knowles, Kianno Hutchinson, Jazmin Darling, Assistant Marketing Manager at Caribbean Bottling Company and Dallas Knowles receiving a donation on behalf of the Exuma Sailing Club at the Long Island Regatta awards ceremony.

NASSAU, Bahamas —– Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Coca-Cola and Dasani products, is proud to crown Lady Kayla of Exuma as this year’s annual Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup winner.

CBC created the Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup to further the advancement of sailing and Bahamian culture through monetary and social support. The competition judges the skipper’s performance across three regattas, The Best of the Best, the National Family Island and Long Island Regattas.

The winning sloop led by Kianno Hutchinson and Joss Knowles showcased their skillmanship in the E-Class category across each round of competition. In addition to winning the trophy, the skippers were awarded a $5,000 donation, an $8,000 stipend to the junior sailing club of their island and a limited-edition Lady Kayla Bahamas Goombay Punch commemorative can, which will be released soon.

Jonathan Thronebury, Marketing Director of CBC shared the significance behind The Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup.

“The Bahamas Goombay Punch is more than a beloved local brand; it’s a vibrant part of our cultural fabric. Just like sailing, our national sport, it carries a rich legacy that spans generations. Recognizing this shared history, we’re proud to support initiatives that celebrate and advance Bahamian culture,” he said.

Hutchinson and Knowles shared what this win meant for them.

“I felt super proud when I realized we won. I am grateful and thankful to God, for good coaches and Joss. It was really an honor winning the Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup,” Hutchinson expressed.

“I am very honored to have been able to compete in the Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup, I think it is a great concept and idea for a competition and really adds a new motive throughout the regattas. The whole championship was super competitive, and every single race was a fight. Alvington McKenzie was extremely competitive and had us until the Long Island regatta, which made it a very fun and tough competition. Very excited to have been the winner of a super close championship,” Knowles revealed.

Lady Kayla’s owner, Dallas Knowles, shared the team’s winning strategy.

“In sailing consistency is key and our guys in Lady Kayla are some of the best in the business at staying near the top.  In the end, that was enough to secure their first Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup win. We are so proud of Joss and Kianno for what they have done in Lady Kayla.  Thank you to Caribbean Bottling Company for such an amazing and forward-thinking initiative,” Knowles shared.

The Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup is proud to continue its impact on sailing and community building through clean and fair competition.

For more updates on the Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup and Caribbean Bottling Company visit the website www.cbcbahamas.com today.

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Caribbean Bottling Supports the 27th Basketball Smiles Week  

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NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Coca-Cola and Dasani products, is proud to once again support Basketball Smiles for their 27th year.

Upholding its corporate pillar of community outreach, CBC proudly donated $2,000, over 75 cases of Dasani, Powerade and Sprite, reusable Powerade water bottles and numerous marketing materials.

The annual sporting summer camp offers free basketball and life skills training to Junior and High School students.

Basketball Smiles’ mission of developing leadership qualities while fostering children’s academic achievement and self-esteem aligns perfectly with CBC’s commitment to supporting and empowering youth.

Jazmin Darling, Assistant Marketing Manager for Caribbean Bottling Company shared why the company continues to support this program each year.

“At CBC, we believe investing in our youth is one of the greatest ways to strengthen our communities. We’re proud to support Basketball Smiles each year because it goes beyond the game. This program champions healthy lifestyles, positive values and brighter futures. It’s a privilege to play a role in helping these young athletes reach their full potential each year,” she shared.

Sam Nicholls, Basketball Smiles Camp President and Founder expressed.

“Caribbean Bottling Company is an incredible partner. We are truly grateful for their generous support, which will go a long way in making a positive impact on the lives of our campers,” Nicholls expressed.

CBC is always ready to lend its support toward initiatives and programs that uplift young Bahamians. The impact Basketball Smiles makes on the community is undeniable and is why CBC remains a historic sponsor.

For more information on sponsorship, events and new products, visit www.cbcbahamas.com today.

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