Rev. Carl Williams: Shannon Was A Bright Light

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T&T Anglican Diocese
in

Rev: Shannon was a bright light

Republic Bank remembers slain employee during service…

Published on Jan 13, 2017, 9:58 pm AST

By Michelle Loubon, Trinidad Express Newspaper
michelle.loubon@trinidadexpress.com

 

lights of the world: Interim rector Rev Carl Williams, left, and Nigel Baptiste, managing director, Republic Bank, light a candle during the bank’s interfaith service yesterday, at the Holy Trinity Cathedral, Port of Spain. Looking on is Anna-Maria Garcia Brooks, general manager, Group Human Resources. —Photo: ISHMAEL SALANDY
lights of the world: Interim rector Rev Carl Williams, left, and Nigel Baptiste, managing director, Republic Bank, light a candle during the bank’s interfaith service yesterday, at the Holy Trinity Cathedral, Port of Spain. Looking on is Anna-Maria Garcia Brooks, general manager, Group Human Resources. —Photo: ISHMAEL SALANDY

It is important to remember Shannon Banfield and others who have died as we go forward in 2017 and consider them with love and peace.
These were the words of Rev Carl Willi­ams, interim rector of the Holy Trinity Cathedral, at the symbolic lighting of the candles at yesterday’s Republic Bank interfaith service at the church, on Abercromby Street, Port of Spain. Everyone sported blue ribbons to mark the sacred occasion.
Banfield, 20, a clerk at Republic Bank, was murdered in December last year at an IAM & Co store on Charlotte Street, Port of Spain.
Among those attending the service were the bank’s general manager, Group Human Resour­ces, Anna-Maria Garcia
Brooks; managing direc­tor Nigel Baptiste; exe­cutive director Roop­na­rine Oumadi-Singh; and general manager Corporate Investment, Karen Yip Chuck.
They were joined by Alicia Baptiste, who read from the book of Matthew, and Anneisha Skerritt-Wells and Lyndsey Hay, who sang “Go Light Your World”.
Prayers were said by Republic Bank employ­ees Alison St Hilaire, Madon Maccoon, Rhonda Joseph-Walters, Hayden Joseph and Shazard Mohammed. Religious elders Imam Abzal Mohammed, Hansraj Persad and Rev Daniel also recited prayers.
Serve with gentleness

On December 8, Banfield’s body was found in a warehouse at the Charlotte Street store after three days of being reported missing.
Her grieving mother, Sherry-Ann Lopez, had said Banfield, a devout Christian and member of the Seventh-day Adven­tist Church, would never have run away and had instead fallen victim to crime.
Trinidad and Tobago citizens expressed outrage when her body was found.
During his meditation, Williams said: “The candles represent the light of the world. As we light these candles, remember Shannon Ban­-
field and remember those who have died as we go forward in 2017. Let there be peace and love in our hearts. Consider them with love and peace.
“Banfield was a bright light around us. It is sad when we lose any citizen, including our bright, beautiful and productive young people to crime.”
Moving to “servant­hood”, Williams said: “Whatever you do, do it unto the Lord. Love your neighbour as yourself. You can’t serve the customers with a sad face. We can’t serve others with hostility. Serve with gentleness.
“Republic Bank has a lot to thank God for. I am sure you are going to continue to do a good job. Have peace and love in your hearts as you go forward in your future operations.”
During his reflection, Baptiste urged everyone to exercise courage, patience and respect. He said it was important to seek God’s guidance and thank God for the opportunity to make a positive difference in peoples’ lives. He said it was mandatory to remain a “unified family”.
Garcia-Brooks read Psalm 100. Holding hands, the congregation
sang “Let There Be Peace” and “Stand Together For What You Believe”.

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