The Tribune

INDEPENDENCE celebrations continue in Florida for Bahamians, with weekend Junkanoo fish frys, chruch servies and a gala ball part of a month-long programme of events.

On Sunday, south Florida Bahamians gathered at the historic St Agnes Church in Miami for an ecumenical service marking the country’s 41st anniversary of Independence organised by a core group of leaders in the community.

Bahamian dignitaries included the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Fred Mitchell, Bahamas Consul General to Florida, Ricardo Treco and Deputy Consul General, Sandra Carey. Congresswoman Frederika Wilson, Mayor of Stuart, Troy McDonald and Franz Hall, the Jamaican Consul General were also present.

Preceded by a month of weekend Junkanoo Fish Fry’s in June, the Independence celebrations officially began on July 5 with an Independence picnic. A Gala Scholarship fundraising Ball, by the National Association of the Bahamas, takes place on Saturday at the Hilton Omni in Downtown Miami.

Sunday’s service, highlighted by a sermon presented by Father DeAngelo N Bowe, of St Peter’s and St Anne’s Parish, North Abaco, was followed by a reception in St Agnes Church hall, at which Mr Mitchell joined Mr and Mrs Treco for the cutting of the anniversary cake.

St Agnes Episcopal Church is one of Miami’s oldest and largest churches. Currently pastored by Father Denrick Rolle, the church received its name in the late 1800s because the majority of the founding members had been members of the well-known St Agnes Church, in Nassau.