SVG Ottawa Association holds activities to commemorate 32nd Independence anniversary

Members of the St.Vincent and the Grenadines Ottawa Association commenced a series of activities on Sunday, October 16, to commemorate this country’s 32nd Independence anniversary.{{more}}

Vincentians residing in Ottawa, Canada, assembled at the Ottawa Church of God on Sunday to reflect on the achievements made since Independence and to pray for the nation’s leaders.

President of the Association Dahlia DaSilva delivered the scripture reading and Hawkins Nanton gave a prayer, in which he thanked God for his faithfulness and goodness to the people of St.Vincent and the Grenadines. He also expressed thanks to God for 32 years of growth and success, in spite of the challenges that the country has faced. This was followed by the national anthem of St.Vincent and the Grenadines.

Bishop Jean Bruno, Senior Pastor of the Ottawa Church of God, delivered an emotional sermon which focused on the fifth Chapter of the book of James. His exhortation centered on three stages of life: suffering, being cheerful, and sick. The moving sermon was presented one week after the funeral service of his 31-year-old sister.

Cipriano Burke, treasurer of the Association, said the turnout to the service was good. Burke, who has been residing in Ottawa for quite a while, said this is the 12th year that the members of the St.Vincent and the Grenadines Ottawa Association have been gathering at the Ottawa Church of God to mark this nation’s Independence anniversary.

The service also offered an opportunity for the Vincentian grouping to intermingle with persons they had not seen in a while.

The next major event will be an Independence Banquet on November 5, 2011, at Villa Marconi, under the patronage of Steve Phillips, Consul General of St.Vincent and the Grenadines in Canada. Ambassador Camillo Gonsalves of the Permanent Mission of St.Vincent and the Grenadines to the United Nations is slated to deliver the keynote address.