HYATTSVILLE, MD…September 9th, 2012 : As St. Kitts-Nevis prepares for the observance of its 29th anniversary of Independence on September 19, nationals of the Federation living in the Washington DC/Maryland/Virginia area, congregated at the National Wesleyan Church in Hyattsville, Maryland, for a service of celebration and thanksgiving.
The large turnout of nationals was supported by the staff of the Embassy of St. Kitts and Nevis, in hosting a well attended church service and luncheon. Some nationals drove from as far away as three and a half hours, just to show their support of the event.
Members of the Diplomatic Corps were in attendance, in a show of support to Ambassador Jacinth Henry-Martin of St. Kitts-Nevis. Among the countries represented by their respective Ambassadors, were : Antigua and Barbuda, the Commonwealth of Dominica, Jamaica, St. Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Other nationalities present included people from Haiti, Guyana, Nigeria, Ghana, the United States of America.
The opening prayer was delivered by Anthony Martin (from The Village, St. Kitts), and he was followed by Jasmine Daniel, President of the Nevis DC Nationals Association), who led in the reading of the Scripture from 2 Corinthians, 4: 7 – 12.
Following the Pastoral Welcome and church announcements, Lorraine Grey (of Basseterre, St. Kitts) delivered two very powerful poems, in which she raised the issue of the youth and the pressure they face in present times.
St. Kitts-Nevis Ambassador Jacinth Henry-Martin delivered a brief message on behalf of Prime Minister Denzil L. Douglas, and the both acknowledged the efforts of the newly formed St. Kitts and Nevis Nationals Association – DC, to promote the island.
During the address of Ambassador Henry-Martin, persons in attendance were able to see on the overhead projectors in the church, pictures of the map of St. Kitts-Nevis, important historical facts, information on the population and the make-up of the Federation, and also a map of the entire Eastern Caribbean, so people could put in proper perspective, the exact location of St. Kitts-Nevis, relative to surrounding islands. The vulnerability of the island to hurricanes was also highlighted on the screen.
Then the moment that had anxiously been awaited came up : the singing of the National Anthem. All the nationals in the congregation stepped up to the pulpit to sing the two verses of the National Anthem. They were led by the beautiful piano accompaniment from Dr. Taresa Lawrence (of Bird Rock, St. Kitts), which added quality to the musical presentation. Most persons who sang the National Anthem were able to do without having to look at the words on paper.
The sermon of the day, "Don't Let the Devil Steal Your Joy," was for a feast that had many persons stretching their arms, before leaving the venue. The mix of Caribbean Cuisine and drink had some persons very happy. Some people either ate some of the food for the first time, or were tasting some of the local drinks for the first time (mauby, sorrel, tamarind apresented by Dr. Vince Liburd (of Market Street, Basseterre) after which the congregation moved to a nearby location for lunch, hosted by the St. Kitts and Nevis Nationals Association-DC, along with Ambassador Henry-Martin and the Embassy Staff.
Close to two hundred persons crowded into the nicely decorated banquet hall nd ginger beer).
On a final note, on September 22, 2012, the Nevis Nationals Association in Washington DC, will be hosting an Awards Banquet at the Bethesda Marriott Hotel. It is expected that the event will also be well supported by residents and friends of the Federation.
SKNNA-DC has a Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/StKitts-and-Nevis-Nationals-Association/439896486023448) and nationals of St. Kitts-Nevis who are interested in joining the association can send an email to : sknnadc@gmail.com.
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