Vincentians in New York on Sunday started their 44th anniversary of political independence from Nice Britain with an Ecumenical Service of Thanksgiving at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church (SMUMC) on the nook of Beverly Street and Ocean Avenue in Flatbush, Brooklyn. The nation attained its independence on Oct. 27, 1979.
A number of members of the Vincentian clergy officiated within the close to three-hour-long service that was organized by the Brooklyn-based Vincentian umbrella group, Council of St. Vincent and the Grenadines Organizations, Inc. (COSAGO), together with the Manhattan-based Consulate Basic of St. Vincent and the Grenadines to the US.
The service was punctuated with lofty singing, preaching, praying and studying of the scriptures.
The Rev. Ronald Baily, pastor of Ample Life Ministries in East Flatbush, Brooklyn, served as liturgist, with Apostle the Rev. Dr. Lemuel Samuel, pastor of Chebar Evangelical Meeting, Inc., on Park Place in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, bringing the Phrase.
The Rev. Derwin Grant, pastor of Trinity Methodist Church in Crown Heights, prayed for the federal government and other people of the US; Pastor Louis Straker, Jr., of Reflections Church in East Flatbush, prayed for the youth and younger adults; Bishop Robert Yearwood, of Elim Non secular Baptist, prayed for Vincentian organizations; and Pastor Dorage Stephens, of Victory Seventh Day Adventist Church, prayed for the “Faithfully Departed.”
“We thanks, expensive Father, so you’ve gotten introduced us by many obstacles,” Pastor Stephens prayed. “We’re grateful, expensive Father, that you’ve given us power.
“Lord, we pray that the Holy Spirit of God might be developed on this land,” he added. “Lord, you’re the one who will struggle for us. Convey us again collectively.”
In his message, “The that means of Independence Day,” Apostle Samuel, used, as his textual content, Exodus 12:26: “And it shall come to go when your kids shall say unto you, what imply ye by this service”.
He preached that Moses had “the monumental process: to characterize God to the folks (religious chief); to characterize the folks earlier than God (political chief); to suppress private curiosity for nationwide good (servant chief); and to bear and share the message (sentinel).
“Moses challenged the folks to take what is known as ‘a retrospective look,’” he mentioned. “After 430 years in slavery, look again on the time, when there have been loads of happiness. They have been additionally challenged to look again on the difficulties they skilled.
“Can we glance again to Chatoyer (Vincentian nationwide hero) to struggle for justice and peace? Dr. Samuel requested. “For us to grasp Independence Day, there should be a retrospective look.”
However he added that Moses had challenged the folks to do “an introspection look into themselves.
“The query is requested of us: Are you able to do an introspection for the sacrifices others have made?” Apostle Samuel requested. “Will we love our nation as we frequently say? Do we actually love our nation? Loving our nation means we should put our nation above self.
“We, as Vincentians, are known as to do an introspection,” he continued. “Moses challenged the folks to do and take a potential look; it means to look to the longer term. The place is St. Vincent and the Grenadines heading? The place is the ethical material in our society? The place are our values?
“We should have a look at the refrain (within the Vincentian nationwide anthem): ‘What ere the longer term brings, our religion will see us by…’” Apostle Samuel mentioned. “As Vincentians and as Christians, we will solely have that nice reunion when God comes. It’s my prayer that we’ll proceed to consider God for larger issues for St. Vincent and the Grenadines.”
Erlene Williams-King, a member of SMUMC’s Chancel Choir and COSAGO, introduced greetings on behalf of the church earlier than rendering operatically “He has the Entire World in His Palms.”
“Forty-four years of independence are an exquisite factor; it’s an amazing celebration,” she mentioned.
Williams-King’s daughter, Abena Amory, a musical artiste, had earlier led the nationwide anthem of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. SMUMC’s Chancel Choir additionally augmented the service in music.
Picture by Nelson A. King
Amb. I. Rhonda King, St. Vincent and the Grenadines Everlasting Consultant to the United Nations, gave a take a snapshot of the instruments Vincentians have at their disposal to place themselves within the worldwide group,
Crispin Friday, the newly-elected president of COSAGO and chair of the Church Service Committee, informed congregants that “with out God, we won’t be right here.
“I wish to invite you to concentrate to the problems that have an effect on St. Vincent and the Grenadines and play a significant function to the infrastructure of St. Vincent and the Grenadines,” he mentioned.
“We’re a small nation floating on the worldwide stage,” he added. “So, with our help, we’ll assist to alleviate the state of affairs in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.”
Friday’s predecessor, Laverne McDowald-Thompson, at the moment serving as vp, mentioned that Vincentians, on their 44th independence anniversary, “come collectively in grateful fingers by the grace and love of Jesus Christ.”
