The South District Methodist Church is one of the six churches in the Bethel Circuit. The Church was established in 1919 is situated at South District, St. George. 
Email: southdistrictstewards@gmail.com
Telephone Number: 437-4835
Organist: Bro Robert Forde
Minister: Rev. Dr. Marcelle Brathwaite

**Hours of Worship**
The Church meets for worship every Sunday morning at 8:00. a.m. 
**Congregational Stewards**
The Congregational Stewards of the South District Methodist Church for the Church year 2020-2021 are Bro. Tariq Holder, Sisters Heather Lovell and Jacqueline Smith.
**Church Organisations**
The organizations of the Church are the Bible Study and Prayer Group, Women’s League, the Youth Ministry. and two classes where the membership fellowship outside of worship Services.
- Bible Study and Prayer Meeting – Monday 6:00p.m 
- Women’s League – First Tuesday (every month)  - 6:00pm

### History
The South District Methodist Church is one of the six churches in the Bethel Circuit and the only Methodist Church in St. George.  South District was born through an outreach effort by the Belmont Church.  
In 1912, two members of the Belmont Methodist Church, Bros. Adams and Yearwood were seen preaching in the South District area, meetings were held in a rented building.  
In 1915, administrative action was taken, resulting in the construction of a chapel on the present site.
In 1919, the cornerstone of this building was laid by Mrs. Pile, whom we presume to be the wife of Mr. Laurie Pile, who owned several estates in St. George.
A helper in the laying of this cornerstone was Mrs. Valeria Forde, who was known to mix mortar to build the foundation.
Some of the early stalwarts from the area included: Mrs W. M. Alleyne, Mr. H. A. Tudor, Mr and Mrs Whittaker, Mr. Herbert Whittaker, Bros. Julian Eastmond, Julian St. Hill, Ms Winifred Forde.  From the Dalkeith Methodist Church congregation were Sisters Elma Bryan and Cora Alleyne-Hewitt.
In 1985, plans were approved for a washroom to be added to the building. These plans were later replaced by more extensive plans.
In 1987, Town and Country Planning duly approved the plans.
In 1993, Rev. Saunders (then Superintendent Minister of the Bethel Circuit) led a construction revival which finally saw the work to its completion.
Those whose dedication saw the annex become a reality are: Bros Basil Forbes, Stephen Lindo, Ivan Wilson, Bruce Padmore, Henderson Greenidge, Revs. Leonard Rock and Philip Saunders.


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### South District Women’s League
#### A Brief History
The South District Women’s League began in October 1981.
During that time Members from sister leagues namely Providence Methodist Church and Belmont Methodist visited and inspired and assisted them in the beginning.
The League started with six members and by the time of their first enrollment the membership had increased to twelve members who were enrolled by Rev. Colton Bennett on 22nd August 1982.
The first anniversary service was held on October 19, 1982 – The theme was 
**“We are one in Christ” **

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The installation of officers took place in August 1984 . The officers were as follows:
- President  - Sis. Jeanie Davis
- Treasurer  -Sis. Constance Green
- Secretary -  Sis. Gloria Smith

Sis. Nesta Greenidge served as Secretary from 1981 to 1983 but she could not continue in this role and as a result Sis. Gloria Smith was elected as Secretary.
Over the years the Women’s League would have made their contributions toward the up-keep of the church by keeping fund raising events, and the proceeds were given to the church.
May God continue to guide and enlighten them as they continue His work.


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#### South District Women’s League - 2021
My name is Cesney Phillips.
I became the President of the South District Women's League on the August 6, 2019.
We meet the first Tuesday of every month.
The League has adopted a child, who we provide with school supplies. 
Every Christmas we give out hampers and visit the Gentle Folkes Nursing Home.  We provide hampers to the home and fellowship with the seniors there.

### CHILDREN AND YOUTH

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South District Young people from the Christmas Skit December 2020 – “The Year 2020”

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Bro. Nathan Forbes receiving his token of Appreciation from Rev. Dr. Marcelle Brathwaite

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Bro. Levi Rowe receiving his token of Appreciation from Rev. Dr. Marcelle Brathwaite


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Bro. Khalil Roberts singing and playing his guitar on Youth Sunday


### Stories from South District
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#### Property Steward
**Sis Sandra Moore**
My name is Sandra Moore and I'm a teacher by profession, now retired. I have been a confirmed member of South District Methodist Church since 2000 and when I think back have always been actively involved in the life of the church from that time on. My first assignment was that of church school teacher at the 6-8 age level, which I loved. I continued to do that until 2 years ago when church school numbers dropped to such an extent that we had no young children in attendance.

I have served on various committees but O and E of which I am presently chairperson has been my longest commitment.  I spent six years (2009 - 2015) as congregational steward and I'm presently one of the property stewards. I'm also an assistant class leader.
As a small church many of the roles overlap and as such I make up one half of a cleaning group, I'm a member of the choir, part of the sales team at fundraising events, I help decorate the church at Christmas and harvest time and make myself available when necessary as many others do.
We're a small and very tight knit group. 

#### Barbados Women’s League – President
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**TESTIMONY AS A METHODIST**
by Sister Nola E. McClean (nee Millington)
(Island Women’s League President and 2nd Vice President, Bethel Circuit Women’s Commission)

> Proverbs 3: 5 & 6
> Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding, in all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy paths.

The Methodist Church has always been the foundation of my life as I often accompanied my maternal grandmother to meetings of the Band of Hope and the weekly morning and evening Sunday worship services at the Paynes Bay Methodist Church.
I attended Sunday School in the evenings, participated in the Harvest and Christmas Cantatas by singing in the children’s choir, recited poems and took part in several plays.  While in my early teens, I was asked to teach the tiny tots in the Sunday School, which then led to me taking over leadership of the Junior Guild after the death of the Leader Miss Clarice Hackett.
At the age of 15, I attended an Open-Air meeting on the beach front opposite Jordans Supermarket in Fitts Village, where during the altar call by the late Local Preacher Mr. Frank Moore, I was moved to go forward and answer the call to serve Jesus Christ and was then later “Received” at a Reception Service.
I became fully engrossed in the work of the Church, becoming active in the Wesley Guild, and the Junior Guild as previously mentioned, taking up the reins of Secretary of the Congregational Council, becoming an active member of the Women’s League, singing in the Children and Adult Choirs, and later becoming a founding member and Secretary of the Wesley Singers.  I was also able to attend the 1974 DYLTS in St. Lucia under the Leadership of the late Rev. Allan Kirton as a staff member, which gave me a new anointing of the Holy Spirit.
In my early 20’s, I married the late Sylvester McClean, then a Local Preacher in the Methodist Church, birthed two daughters, relocated to Chancery Lane, Christ Church, and there, I received the Right Hand of Fellowship at the Providence Methodist Church, where I quickly became active as a Choir Member, Assistant Class Leader, Member of the Women’s League and then took on the Presidency for three years whilst still carrying out duties as a Poor Fund, now Care Fund Steward.
As I searched for a place of worship when I relocated to St. George, although currently residing about ten minutes from the Ebenezer Church, I decided to maintain my fellowship in the Bethel Circuit, as I knew members and felt at home at the South District Church, where I had previously supported them by singing in the Choir every year at their Harvest.  I was also grateful, as their congregation took up a collection to assist me after my house was partially destroyed by a fire in 1994.
I am truly enjoying my fellowship here at South District, and will continue to praise God daily as the Hymn No. 428 MHB reads “I’ll praise my maker while I’ve breath….”
> Philippians 4: 13
> I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.


#### Sonia Rowe – Local Preacher
I was baptized at Bethel Methodist, by Rev. Cross.  I was always a member of the Methodist Church.  After getting married I attended St. Barnabas Anglican Church, from 1982 – 1987 because of its close proximity to my home.
From a child I attended South District Methodist and was always very involved.  My grandmother took me to church every Sunday.  Several persons from the community attended church so we all went together.  Sunday School was a must.  Reading lessons and reciting in church was an integral part of my involvement.  
I was one of the founder members of the Wesley Singers.  Ms Cora Alleyne, invited me.  Mr. Sydney Harris was one of the organizers of the Wesley Singers at that time.
On my return to Barbados, in 1993, I was asked by Bro. Basil Forbes to take up the task of Church School Superintendent and so I did.  
In 2003 – 2004 – I became a Circuit Steward.
In 2005 - I was accredited as a Local Preacher. 
I performed the duties as Circuit Auditor.
I was Congregational Steward for several years at South District.
In 2005 – 2013, I was Secretary to the Barbados Preachers Association and the Bethel Circuit Preachers Association, 2006 – 2013.
I am basically a reserved person.  I was referred to Local Preaching by Bro. Forbes.  I strongly believe that it was a calling from God.  And I know that I am lead by the Holy Spirit.  I believe that every assignment given is from God and not the Superintendent Minister.  It bothers me when I am unavailable for an appointment.  Preaching has increased my faith and brought me into a closer relationship with God.  I can see his hand in my life and trust him to show me the way. 
In this pandemic, God has been in my life in ways that I cannot even imagine.  When the pandemic struck God jut provided for us.  You can see his hand at work in our lives.  
I enjoy serving, however, one of my concerns is that I would love to see more persons getting involved in the life of the church.  More persons need to take up positions of Secretary and Chairperson in the Circuit. 
