"IT has been a long journey," said Bishop Vinton Randolph Anderson in reminiscing about the path from the altar at St. Paul's AME Church in Hamilton, 60 years ago, that led to his becoming the first Bermudian and 92nd Consecrated Bishop of the AME Church, and then among other significant things, on to the top of the world for seven years as the President of the World Council of Churches and back to the point from whence it began.

He was speaking after Bishop Richard F. Norris had presented him to be the preacher at the closing and commissioning service of the 120th Session of the Bermuda Annual Conference.

"We are delighted to have this native son who has provided 32 years of Episcopal service. Though retired, he continues to provide wisdom and great direction. He comes fully accredited, no short cuts; he comes well seasoned."

He served in the international realms of ecumenicity and had given outstanding, excellent leadership on that stage, Bishop Norris added.

Bishop Anderson is a prolific writer, has authored several books and is a wonderfully gifted preacher with power from on High. "He has come today not looking for accolades, only to bring the Word."

Bishop Anderson's theme was "Facing the Unknown". His text was from the biblical chapter of faith, Paul's letter to the Hebrews, chapter 11, and verse eight, detailing Abraham's unyielding faith in God.

He vividly recalled that closing session of the Bermuda Annual Conference 60 years ago, when he received his call to preach.

At the close of that conference they were singing the diadem, All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name. He answered 'Yes'. It was a call to go, and God set his feet on a path of an unknown journey. He was finishing his five-year carpenter's apprenticeship in the British Naval Dockyard.

The presiding prelate at that conference was Bishop R.R. Wright, the 57th bishop in succession to Richard Allen. He persuaded him to pursue higher ground. Proceeding on the nurturing he had received at Sandys Secondary School and Allen Temple Church in Somerset, and with $700 in his pockets, "I went out not knowing where I was going."

Upon graduation from Wilberforce University in Ohio, he was assigned by another bishop to a church in Topeka, Kansas. He found himself an alien in a strange land. He went out not knowing where he was going.

"I am retired now and enjoying every moment of it."

The retirement party the Bermuda Conference had given him was a wonderful, wonderful one, and so was the appreciation gift, in an envelope he immediately turned over to his wife of 54 years.