GRENADA
Grenadians gathered February 4 in a spirit of unity and faith for a special interreligious Service to commemorate the nation’s 50th anniversary of independence. The event, which took place at the Gateway Assembly Hall, Point Saline, St George, brought together varied religious leaders including Christians, Rastafarians, and members of the Islamic faith.
Bishop Clyde Harvey, Chairman of the Conference of Churches in Grenada, opened with reflections on the significance of reaching this milestone as a nation. He emphasised the need for gratitude and introspection during the celebratory period.
“While there’s an air of festivity all around us, it’s easy for us to get caught up in that and miss what is really happening in our own souls,” said Bishop Harvey.
The celebration, he opined, will be “much less rich” if Grenadians do not bring to it their own sense of gratitude for this land and for all that it means to them.
Acknowledging the diversity of faiths in Grenada, Bishop Harvey called all in attendance to collectively take another step “on the road to identifying our faith perspective more deeply”.
He highlighted nations do not merely grow old but become wiser, more experienced, and better equipped to face challenges.
Reflecting on Grenada’s identity and future, Bishop Harvey quoted Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell who underscored that the fundamental question is not just about economic prosperity, but about who Grenadians are becoming.
“As we face 50 and a 100, who are we becoming as Grenadians? What does it mean to be a Grenadian, and what will it mean for us as the future unfolds?” questioned Bishop Harvey.
He said the Conference of Churches was “extremely pleased” to be able to associate in this moment with its brothers and sisters of evangelical churches.
“It has taken awhile but we are now able to say yes, we can come together to acknowledge one God regardless of our different perceptions of that God and to place Grenada in the hands of God as we best believe God to be.”
Anything else, Bishop Harvey underscored, is a recipe for division and all kinds of tensions in communities.
“And we thank God that we’re able to do that today. For the rest, we look forward to deepening of our relationships…based on truth, based on the willingness to confront the truth whenever it comes before us, based on the willingness to hear the words of those who lead us,” Bishop Harvey said.
He commented “thanks be to God” that Grenadians have had that kind of leadership over the years which challenged them to look and look again on who they are becoming.
He concluded by inviting attendees to go beyond the superficial experience of praying and enjoying a church Service. Rather, the Bishop encouraged them to let the spirit of the living God move deeply in their hearts, so they not only have a sense of self-satisfaction from participating in the Service, but they hear the Word of the Lord echoing deep in their hearts.
“And in those depths, we begin to discover ever more clearly, that there is a Grenadian being born in each of us and that Grenada we claim today, thankful for 50 years, but looking forward in hope and confidence to another 50,” Bishop Harvey said.
The First Reading (Nehemiah 2:11–18) was proclaimed by Keith Mitchell, leader of the Opposition and the Second Reading (1 Corinthians 3:6–10), by Prime Minister Mitchell.
