Jamaica 50 Thanksgiving Service at Holy Trinity Cathedral July 29
July 26, 2012The Full Story
A National Thanksgiving Ecumenical Church Service in celebration of Jamaica’s 50th Anniversary of Independence will take place at the Holy Trinity Cathedral, 1-3 George Headley Drive, North Street, on Sunday, July 29, beginning at 11:00 a.m.
The event, to be held under the theme: ‘A Nation on a Mission’, will include greetings from the Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen; Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller; Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Andrew Holness and the Minister of Youth and Culture, Hon. Lisa Hanna.
Guest preacher is Rev. Jonathan Hemmings, who is Minister of the Ocho Rios Baptist Church in Ocho Rios, St. Ann.
General Secretary of the Jamaica Council of Churches and Chairman of the Committee for the Planning of National Religious Services, Rev. Gary Harriot, told JIS News that the service will be a “celebratory one, “noting that the 50th year of Independence is a significant milestone for Jamaica.
“It’s a time to give thanks to God for journeying with us over these 50 years and committing ourselves to the next step or stages of the journey,” he said.
In recognition of Jamaica’s 50th year of Independence, Rev. Harriot said the service will bring together 50 members of the clergy from the various umbrella groups of churches to participate in a procession. They will also form a Guard of Honour, along with members of the combined uniform groups, on both sides of the streets from the intersection of George Headley Drive and North Street to the entrance door at the cathedral to welcome the Leaders of State and dignitaries attending the function.
He said the procession will include children who will be carrying symbols of Jamaica’s cultural and religious heritage. They will be led by a group of dancers displaying choreographed dance movements.
According to Rev. Harriot, the service will also include performances from the 2012 gospel winners, Levy’s Heritage, the Combined Children’s Choir, the Jamaica Youth Chorale and the Jamaica Folk Singers.
“It is going to be a time of celebration and we want to extend an invitation to as many Jamaicans as possible to come and join us for this occasion,” he added.
The event is being planned by the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), in collaboration with the Committee for the Planning of National Religious Services.