WASHINGTON, DC – Jamaicans residing in Washington, D.C., and Baltimore, Maryland have moved into celebration mode, with a number of events scheduled to mark the 51st anniversary of the country’s independence starting this weekend.
On August 3 – 11, the Embassy of Jamaica in Washington D.C. under the leadership of Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States, His Excellency Ambassador Stephen Vasciannie, will be engaged in a number of activities supported by leading Jamaican organisations.
The activities will commence with the Jamaica Association of Maryland (JAM) annual independence ball which will be held at the Martins West Conference Centre, Baltimore and is expected to attract about 400 Jamaicans and friends of Jamaica. Ambassador Vasciannie will deliver the keynote address.
Ambassador Vasciannie
This year, JAM will present the Marcus Garvey UNIA Award to Dr. Maxine Clarke, while the distinguished community service award will go to Dr. Hyacinth Dunston-Hunter.
Among those to bring greetings at the event are Maryland’s Lieutenant Governor, Anthony Brown who is of Jamaican parentage, US Congressman, Elijah Cummins and Baltimore’s Mayor, Stephanie Rollins Blake
The Dumbarton Chapel at Howard University’s School of Law is the venue for the annual Service of Thanksgiving on Sunday, August 4th, starting at 11 AM. Roman Catholic Archbishop of Kingston, the Most Reverend Charles Henry Dufour will deliver the sermon. Ambassador Vasciannie will give the official welcome and deliver Prime Minister The Most Hon.Portia Simpson Miller Independence Message.
Members of the diplomatic corps, members and representatives of the U.S. Congress and Senate along with other officials will also attend the service.
The first lesson will be read by Mrs. Julia Hyatt, Jamaica’s Alternate Representative to the Organization of American States (OAS), while Dean of the School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Dr. Albert Reece will read the second lesson. The service will be moderated by Dr. Bertram Melborne and Reverend Sylvia McDonald Kaufman of Howard University School of Divinity along with the Reverend Dr. Cortright Davis, Pastor of the Holy Comforter Episcopal Church.
Musical selections will be performed by The Performing Artists Under the Lord (PAUL) choir, under the direction of Linda Edge Gatling.
Three charities in Jamaica – Harmon Valley Basic School in Claremont, St. Ann, Heroes Circle Basic School in Kingston and The Good Shepherd Foundation have been selected to receive this year’s offering.
On Monday, August 5th, Ambassador and Mrs. Vasciannie will host a reception and independence art exhibition at the Embassy of Jamaica, commencing at 6:30PM. The exhibition will feature the works of Jamaican artists Webster and Charlene Ferguson-Campbell who will display over 50 pieces of their art.
On Sunday, August 11th, the activities will come to a close when Jamaica Association of Maryland (JAM) will hold its annual Independence Thanksgiving Service at the Baltimore Central New Testament Church of God, commencing at 5 p.m. The guest preacher will be Bishop Stanley Murray.
