Ja Independence, Emancipation anniversaries in the spotlight in Washington DC

WASHINGTON, DC:

Sunday, July 28 will be a red-letter day for Jamaicans in Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia, who are gearing up for a momentous celebration of the island’s 62nd anniversary of Independence from the United Kingdom.

Also on the cards for the special service of thanksgiving is a celebration of the 186th anniversary of Emancipation from slavery. The event promises to be a vibrant display of cultural pride and community spirit. It will also mark the second year that Jamaicans in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia (DMV) will be honoured with awards for sterling contributions.

Heads of various diaspora organisations and Jamaican clergy in the DMV area have partnered with the Jamaican Embassy in Washington to organise this grand celebration.

Set to return to the Sligo Seventh-day Adventist Church in Takoma Park, Maryland, just outside Washington, DC, the event will begin at 10:45 a.m.

The service will feature a sermon by Pastor Everette Brown, president of the Jamaica Union of Seventh-day Adventists. It will be moderated by Rev Dr Bertram Melbourne, professor and former interim dean of the Howard University School of Divinity, assisted by Rev Eron Henry, communications and media manager for Lott Carey Foreign Mission Convention, and Bishop Stanley Murray, pastor of the Baltimore United Church of God. Attendees will also hear the prime minister’s message delivered by deputy chief at the embassy of Jamaica Mission, Lishann Salmon.

Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States, Audrey Marks, will extend her greetings and deliver welcome remarks that further underscore the importance of this occasion. The service will be enriched by special musical selections from artistes including Yasmin McCoy, Lady Da Flame, and Tamara Simpson. Performing Artists Under the Lord (P.A.U.L.), the combined choir conducted by Linda Gatling, returns this year in a special performance.

CELEBRATION OF FREEDOM

In recognition of outstanding contribution to the Jamaican community, three individuals will be honoured with the Jamaica Diaspora 2024 DMV Award. The recipients are Carmen Edwards, Doreen Thompson, and Larry Sindass. Additionally, the Friends of Jamaica Award will be presented to Performing Artists Under the Lord (P.A.U.L.) for their dedication and performances at the annual church service for over 30 years.

“Ït is so good that people who have served community and homeland, with such focused devotion and selflessness, be recognised,” observed Ian Edwards, who chaired the awards subcommittee for the 2024 edition of the awards introduced in 2023.

This year’s service of thanksgiving not only celebrates Jamaica’s rich history and cultural heritage and contribution to the world but also aims to support the broader community. Proceeds from the collection will be donated to the Black River Infirmary, which suffered severe damage from Hurricane Beryl, a gesture that exemplifies the enduring spirit of solidarity and generosity within the Jamaican diaspora, a release notes.

As the community gathers to honour these milestones, the atmosphere will be one of reflection, gratitude, and anticipation for the future. The event symbolises the resilience and unity of Jamaicans, both at home and abroad, and serves as a reminder of the enduring strength of their cultural and historical bonds Ambassador Marks said.

The Emancipation and Independence Thanksgiving Service ‘is more than a commemoration; it is a celebration of freedom, heritage, and the progress achieved since gaining Independence’, Ambassador Marks noted. “The event is expected to bring together a diverse group of attendees, fostering a sense of community and shared purpose among those who hold Jamaica dear to their hearts.

With the contributions of distinguished speakers, captivating performances, and heartfelt recognitions, the service is poised to be a memorable occasion. It will not only highlight the achievements and contributions of Jamaicans in the DMV area but also reinforce the importance of giving back to the community and supporting those in need,” Ambassador Marks added.