Reverend Telford Matthew (left) and Hilary Undenhout (right) conducting the service.
ST. EUSTATIUS--A service of thanksgiving was held at Bethel Chapel in St. Eustatius on December 1, when parishioners of various denominations came together to celebrate the end of the hurricane season. The service was conducted by Hillary Undenhout and Reverend Telford Matthew.
A special rendition was carried out by Valley of Blessings.
Marcella Marsdin also assisted the service on the organ.
Acting Island Governor Sharon Hassell addressed the attendees on behalf of the government.
In preparation for the anticipated hurricane season, the Disaster Management Organisation utilized social media platforms and radio programmes to inform the public about hurricane preparedness, raising awareness of the necessary precautions and hazards. In addition, the Ministry of Defence conducted its annual hurricane preparedness exercise in St. Eustatius.
This year, the Acting Island Governor said, global temperatures rose to approximately 1.55 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, temporarily exceeding the Paris Agreement’s target of 1.5 degrees.
With this temperature threshold now being exceeded, the warming global climate is contributing to the development of more frequent, more intense and more destructive hurricanes across the Atlantic, she said.
“Yet despite this global reality, we here on St. Eustatius were blessed and spared from direct devastation this hurricane season,” Hassell said. “However, while we give thanks for this protection, our hearts and prayers go out to those across the Caribbean who suffered greatly this season and we especially wish to express our deepest sympathies to the people of Haiti and Jamaica, who were severely impacted by Hurricane Melissa.”
Hassell also remarked on current tension between the United States and Venezuela.
“We are aware of the public’s uneasiness regarding the growing tensions between Venezuela and the United States, and the possible impact these developments may have on St. Eustatius and the wider Kingdom of the Netherlands,” she said. “I want to reassure the community that the government is actively making arrangements and engaging in the appropriate diplomatic and security discussions. The public should remain calm, and there is no cause for alarm at this time.”
