By Derrick Scott , Gleaner WriterATLANTA,Georgia:
MORE THAN 400 Jamaicans and friends of Jamaica filled the pews of the Hillside Presbyterian Church in Decatur, Georgia for the service of Praise and Thanksgiving to mark Jamaica's 42nd Anniversary of Independence last Sunday.
In delivering the Independence Message, the Rev. J. Oliver Daley, Pastor of Ridgemount United Church in Mandeville, Jamaica, said "there was an urgent need for Jamaicans living abroad to have solidarity and a common cause with the Rock". Rev. Daley said "there was a need for Jamaicans living on the Rock to come to that place where we have a value for life and the sacredness of life becomes a priority for all Jamaicans". "We have lost that sense of sacredness of life and ....the sacredness of people," he said. Rev. Daley was speaking on the theme 'Look to the Rock for Which you Were Hewn'. He said that we needed solidarity to bring back Jamaica to the stage when we cared for our brothers and sisters and we showed each other love and respect. He also pointed out that we needed solidarity in prayers and love to bring back those days.
PRECARIOUSLY PLACED
Rev. Daley said that as a country we are precariously placed when it comes to justice, adding that "Justice demands that the fruits of the country be equitably shared". He urged the audience to continue to support their schools and various communities back home in Jamaica, adding that acts of benevolence will not overcome the difficulties we have in the system, but things would be worse without their assistance.
Rev. Daley said that as we celebrated our Independence it is a moment to celebrate God's liberating, empowering, enabling and sustaining grace to our people over the years.
The Prime Minister's Message was read by Dr. Karen Russell, President of St. Hugh's Alumni Association, while the First Lesson was read by Ms. Annette Stewart, representing the Atlanta Jamaican Association. The Second Lesson was read by Gabrielle Tamara Scott, representing the younger generation of Jamaicans living in Atlanta.
The week of activities climaxes with a Family Funday this Sunday at Columbia Middle School grounds in Decatur, Georgia.
