Hundreds of Vincentians on Sunday 23rd October crammed the pews of The Church of St. Mark, Episcopal (Anglican) in the Crown Heights section of Brooklyn for an Ecumenical Service of Thanksgiving, as St. Vincent and the Grenadines celebrates its 37th Anniversary of Independence.
The church service marked the beginning of week-long independence activities in the Big Apple, organized by COSAGO, culminating on Sunday, Oct. 30, with a gala Luncheon and Awards Ceremony at Grand Prospect Hall in Brooklyn.
Several Vincentian clergy officiated and participated in the Service of Thanksgiving, reading the Scriptures and offering myriad prayers, among other things.
The Service was graced by the presence of United States Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke, the daughter of Jamaican immigrants, who represents the 9th Congressional District in Brooklyn.
United Nations Ambassador I. Rhonda King, New York Consul General Howie Prince and COSAGO president Laverne McDowald-Thompson delivered brief independence remarks were delivered by. O’Brien Simmons, COSAGO’s treasurer, appealed to congregants to assist the organization’s disaster relief fund.
Consul General Howie Prince, said, while he was yet to receive Prime Minister Dr. Ralph E. Gonsalves’ Independence Message, the Vincentian leader had asked him to convey that St. Vincent and the Grenadines is still beautiful.
In addition, Prince said the prime minister asked that nationals to humble themselves and pray for the multi-island state.
Adopted from Caribbean Life Story and photo by Nelson King
