Antiguans and Barbudans living in New York will kick off their celebrations for the country’s 42nd Independence Day anniversary on Sunday with a Thanksgiving Service at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in the Bronx.

This service is one of two major events organized by the Antigua and Barbuda Consulate General in New York to celebrate the country’s significant milestone. The other event is the Independence Gala and Awards, which will take place on Saturday, November 18th, at the Glen Island Harbour Club in New Rochelle.

The service is expected to bring together a large gathering of people from the tri-state area, including St. Andrew’s parishioners and numerous Antiguans and Barbudans, to give thanks and praise on the occasion of the country’s Independence Day anniversary.

Rev. Dr. Dave Allen of the Bethel Tabernacle AME Church will officiate the service, and Dr. Cheryl White Lewis of Christ Life Bible Church – Worship and Deliverance Centre will deliver the sermon.

The Very Rev. Belgrave Pelle of the St. Mary’s Anglican Church, Bronx, will serve as organist and choral director, and the City South Steel Orchestra & The Antigua & Barbuda International Chorale will provide melodious music.

During the service, Prime Minister the Hon. Gaston Browne will deliver the Independence Day message to the congregation through Antigua and Barbuda’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Walton Aubrey Webson.

Antiguans and Barbudans are encouraged to wear their national colours and bring their flags to wave in celebration of the country’s 42nd Independence Day anniversary.

This year’s Gala will focus on the youth in alignment with the 2023 theme of the celebrations – Embracing the Legacy, Shaping the Future.

The event will honour and celebrate the Antigua and Barbuda Students Association’s work, whose members have devoted their time and energies to ensuring that students benefit from a seamless transition into their studies while miles away from home.

Proceeds from the Gala, which will feature the Original Burning Flames, will go towards supporting the Antigua and Barbuda Students Association in preparing the future leaders of the country for their roles as stewards.

The awards segment of the program will recognize young people who have shown considerable promise in their academic development and as professionals.