Jamaicans and associates of Jamaica elevate their voices in tune, finally 12 months’s Jamaica Independence Thanksgiving Service.
WASHINGTON, DC – A grand celebration of sixty-three years of Jamaica’s Independence from Britain takes the highlight within the District of Columbia-Maryland-Virginia (DMV) area on Sunday, July 27, with Jamaicans and associates of Jamaica coming collectively to mark the August 6, 1962, milestone.
Thanksgiving Service
This 2025 Jamaica Independence Thanksgiving Service will even have fun the 187th anniversary of Emancipation from slavery on August 1, 1834. The upcoming occasion guarantees a vibrant show of cultural satisfaction and neighborhood spirit. It can additionally mark the third 12 months that DMV Jamaicans will likely be honoured with awards for sterling contributions.
The particular celebration will return to Sligo Seventh-day Adventist Church. It’s positioned at 7600 Carroll Avenue in Takoma Park, Maryland. The occasion begins at 10:45 a.m. The theme is “Be Proud, Be Daring: God Is Doing a New Factor.”
Tackle to the Jamaican Diaspora
His Excellency Main Common (ret’d) Antony Anderson, Jamaica’s recently appointed Ambassador to the USA of America, will give his first main deal with to the Jamaican diaspora within the DMV. Ambassador Anderson can be Everlasting Consultant to the Group of American States. Attendees will even hear messages from Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness.
Ambassador Anderson
Commenting as plans transfer into excessive gear, Ambassador Anderson stated, “this 12 months’s theme reminds us of the deep which means held throughout the colors of our nationwide flag – a strong every day expression of who we’re as a individuals: the black speaks to the energy and creativity which have sustained us by each triumphs and adversity; the inexperienced displays the hope and abundance our our lovely land; and the gold captures the heat of our sunshine and the richness of our spirit as a nation.”
Washington DC’s diplomatic corps will even be represented. As nicely, native, state, and Federal authorities officers will even be in attendance. Different particular visitors embody Dr. Weymouth Spence, President of Washington Adventist College and co-sponsor of the Service, and Rev. Kimrose Goodall, a counseling psychologist, together with a number of different Jamaicans.
Dr. Bertram L. Melbourne, a Jamaican-born professor of New Testomony research and a former affiliate and interim dean of Howard University School of Divinity, will preside over the service. He will likely be assisted by Canon Rev. Dr. Kortright Davis; Rev. Eron Henry, affiliate editor at Judson Press and former pastor of William Knibb Baptist Church in Falmouth, Jamaica; and Bishop Stanley Murray of Baltimore.
This 12 months’s sermon will likely be delivered by Rev. Sylvia McDonald Kaufman, affiliate minister at Covenant Baptist United Church of Christ in Washington, D.C. Music will likely be supplied by the Voices of Excellence, with Dr. Garnett Mowatt conducting.
DMV Jamaica Diaspora Awards
The DMV Jamaica Diaspora Awards will honor 4 neighborhood members. These awards acknowledge their nice contributions to Jamaica and the diaspora. That is the third 12 months for this particular a part of the Jamaica Independence Church Service.
Dr. Franklyn W. Knight, a professor emeritus at Johns Hopkins College, will obtain the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Ms. Esther Sanderson from Richmond, Virginia, will get the Particular person Award.
Ms. Marguerite Chinn from Negril Eatery will obtain the Establishment/Group Award.
Ms. Elda Devarie from EMD Gross sales will likely be honored with the Good friend of Jamaica Award.
“That is the third 12 months the Committee is conferring these awards on DMV people, whose have made sterling contribution in direction of conserving Jamaica’s flag flying excessive,” remarked Ian Edwards, who chaired the awards subcommittee for the 2025 version of the awards launched in 2023. “This 12 months’s honourees are well-deserving. We labored very onerous to slender the listing all the way down to 4 chosen.”
This 12 months’s collected donations will likely be given to help the Hanover Infirmary positioned in Jamaica.
All through the years, quite a few diaspora teams and Jamaican spiritual leaders within the DMV area have collaborated with the Jamaican Embassy in Washington to rearrange this vital occasion.
