By Grace Through Faith: Perseverance, Resilience, Strength is the theme for this year’s National Independence Thanksgiving Service, to be held on Sunday, November 27, at the Garfield Sobers Sports Complex, from 10:00 a.m.
As Barbados prepares to celebrate its 56th year of Independence and mark its first anniversary as a Parliamentary Republic, the theme chosen by the Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Third Sector sums up the true spirit of Barbadians, as they continue to surmount the various challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic.
The multi-faith service, which is expected to last for 90 minutes, will be attended by President of Barbados Her Excellency The Most Honourable, Dame Sandra Mason. Barbadians here and in the diaspora will be able to follow the service on the online platform.
Addressing last week’s press conference, Archdeacon, The Venerable Eric Lynch, explained that the service was a collaborative arrangement between the faith community and its partners in Government. He said it seeks “to bring before Barbadians an opportunity of praise and thanksgiving for God’s riches blessings to us in our nation”.
Encouraging all Barbadians to come out to the event, Archdeacon Lynch said: “I hope that all of you would want to be present for [it]. Now that we have gotten a relaxation in the protocols with respect to COVID-19, we want you to be present with us at the Gymnasium in that wonderful complex and let us give thanks and praise to Almighty God.”
Meanwhile, Chair of the Communications Committee, Senator Pat Parris, noting the service also aims to cater to persons in the international world, said: “We know we have a Barbadian everywhere and I am sure they will want to be a part of the service, so we will share the link so persons can join.
“When we held the service [last year] we had limited numbers; on this occasion we want to pack the Gymnasium, so Barbadians come out! It is as though you are worshipping on a Sunday…. So, please come on out and be part of this service. It’s our 56th Anniversary of Independence; so, having gone through so much within the last two/three years, …we have lots to celebrate.”
Additionally, patrons can expect a musical medley by the Band of The Barbados Police Service, and the recital of the National Pledge by a student of Irving Wilson School.
Press conference on the National Independence Thanksgiving Service. (PMO)
While Archdeacon Lynch will be the officiant, Chairman of the Barbados Christian Council, Reverend Dr. Cicely Athill-Horsford, will undertake the duties of preacher at the service.
Participation by others in the faith community will include the Invocation by the Orisha Faith; the Barbados Muslim Association’s reading from the Holy Qur’an, and a pray from the Baha’i Faith. However, other faith leaders have been assured that their participation may come via virtual greetings to the National Independence Thanksgiving Service.
The event will also see the presentation of the National Flag of Barbados by the Seventh-day Adventist Pathfinders; a liturgical presentation by the Barbados Dance Theatre Company’s Junior Corps, as well as prayers by the Girl Guides Association of Barbados; the Barbados Alzheimer’s Association and the Barbados YouthADVANCE Corps.
Barbadians desiring bus transportation to the national event, at the Wildey Gymnasium, will be accommodated by the Transport Board. A bus service will be provided from the Princess Alice Terminal at 9:00 a.m.; it will then travel on to The Granville Williams Bus Terminal (formerly the Fairchild Street Bus Terminal) where patrons can also board. Additionally, there will be a service from the Oistins’ sub-terminal, beginning at 8:30 a.m., and another from the Speightstown terminal, at 8:15 a.m.
All services will leave on demand and there will be no change in the fee structure. The Transport Board will also be returning churchgoers to their respective terminals at the end of the service.
The National Independence Thanksgiving Service is among the main events held to celebrate Barbados’ Independence. Other activities include the National Independence Festival of Creative Arts (NIFCA), which is a month-long event, and the Independence Parade at Kensington Oval on November 30.
