Independence thanksgiving service to be a ‘grand celebration’

WASHINGTON, DC:

A grand celebration of 63 years of Jamaica’s Independence from Britain takes the spotlight in the District of Columbia-Maryland-Virginia (DMV) region on Sunday, July 27, with Jamaicans and friends of Jamaica coming together to mark the August 6, 1962 milestone.

This 2025 Jamaica Independence Thanksgiving Service will also celebrate the 187th anniversary of Emancipation from slavery on August 1, 1834. The upcoming event promises a vibrant display of cultural pride and community spirit. It will also mark the third year that DMV Jamaicans will be honoured with awards for sterling contributions.

Set to return to Sligo Seventh-day Adventist Church, 7600 Carroll Avenue in Takoma Park, Maryland, the special celebration begins at 10:45 a.m., under the theme, Be Proud, Be Bold: God Is Doing a New Thing.

Major General (ret’d) Antony Anderson, Jamaica’s recently appointed ambassador to the United States of America, will give his first major address to the Jamaican diaspora in the DMV. Ambassador Anderson is also permanent representative to the Organization of American States. Attendees will also hear messages from Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness.

Commenting as plans move into high gear, Ambassador Anderson said this year’s theme reminds us of “the deep meaning held within the colours of our national flag – a powerful daily expression of who we are as a people: the black speaks to the strength and creativity that have sustained us through both triumphs and adversity; the green reflects the hope and abundance of our beautiful land; and the gold captures the warmth of our sunshine and the richness of our spirit as a nation.”

DIASPORA AWARDS

Washington DC’s diplomatic corps will also be represented. Local, state, and federal government officials will also be in attendance. Other special guests include Dr Weymouth Spence, president of Washington Adventist University and co-sponsor of the service, and Rev. Kimrose Goodall, a counselling psychologist, along with a host of other Jamaicans.

Dr Bertram L. Melbourne, a Jamaica-born professor of New Testament studies and a former associate and interim dean of Howard University School of Divinity, will preside over the service. He will be assisted by Canon Rev Dr Kortright Davis; Rev Eron Henry, associate editor at Judson Press and former pastor of William Knibb Baptist Church in Falmouth, Jamaica; and Bishop Stanley Murray of Baltimore New Testament of God Church.

DMV Jamaica Diaspora Awards will be given to four community members, recognising remarkable contributions to the cause of Jamaica and the diaspora – the third year for this special feature of the Jamaica Independence Church Service. Johns Hopkins University Professor Emeritus Dr Franklyn W. Knight will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award; Esther Sanderson of Richmond, Virginia, the Individual Award; Marguerite Chinn/Negril Eatery, the Institution/Organisation Award; and Elda Devarie/EMD Sales, the Friend of Jamaica Award.

“This is the third year the committee is conferring these awards on DMV individuals, who have made sterling contribution towards keeping Jamaica’s flag flying high,” remarked Ian Edwards, who chaired the awards subcommittee for the 2025 edition of the awards introduced in 2023. “This year’s honourees are well-deserving. We worked very hard to narrow the list down to the four selected.”

Meanwhile, the offerings collected this year will be donated to support the Hanover Infirmary in Jamaica. Over the years, various diaspora organisations and Jamaican clergy in the DMV area have partnered with the Jamaican Embassy in Washington to organise this grand celebration.