Bahamians, descendants and friends of The Bahamas, on Sunday gathered at the historic St. Agnes Church, Miami Florida for an Ecumenical Service marking the country’s 41st Anniversary of Independence. The well-attended Ecumenical Service was a continuation of month long Bahamas Independence celebrations, organized by a core group of leaders in the community.

Preceded by a month of weekend Junkanoo Fish Fry’s in June, the Independence celebrations officially began July 5th with an Independence Picnic. This past Sunday’s key event, will be followed by a Gala Scholarship Fundraising Ball, by the National Association of The Bahamas, that will take place on Saturday, July 19th, at the Hilton Omni, Downtown Miami.

Bahamian dignitaries at Sunday’s Ecumenical Service included The Bahamas, Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Honorable Fred Mitchell; Bahamas Consul General to Florida, H. Ricardo Treco and Deputy Consul General, Sandra Carey. Other dignitaries and members of the South Florida diplomatic corps in attendance included, the Member of Congress for the 26th District of Florida, Fredericka Wilson; Mayor of Stuart, Florida, Troy McDonald and the Hon Franz Hall, Jamaican Consul General.

The Ecumenical Service, highlighted by a sermon presented by Father DeAngelo N. Bowe, St. Peter’s and St. Anne’s Parish, North Abaco, Bahamas, was followed by a Reception in St. Agnes church’s hall. During the reception, The Bahamas Minister of Foreign Affairs joined Consul General Treco and Mrs. Treco in the annual cake cutting of the Anniversary cake.

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

More information on Bahamas Independence celebrations in South Florida is available at, http://www.nabmiami.org.