By Francis Quamina Farrier
AFTER two years of not getting together to celebrate Guyana’s Independence due to the COVID-19 pandemic, quite a number of Maryland-based Guyanese were in attendance at the St. John’s Episcopal/Anglican Church last Sunday. It was a mini-renaissance of sorts. Some of those who attended the event did not wear masks, while there were those who did.

The information which I received is that there are many, especially the elderly, who are not ready to resume pre-COVID-19 activities and so did not attend the Independence event. For them, it is better to be over-cautious rather than take a risky chance, not knowing what might occur in terms of contracting the disease. However, the church was almost packed with those who felt comfortable and confident to venture out. The majority of them wore masks to protect themselves from any likely contraction of the COVID-19 virus.

The Guyanese who reside in Maryland, as well as those who are scattered nationwide in the United States, remember the Independence of their native Guyana and most celebrate it one way or another. This religious service at the St. John’s Anglican/Episcopal church has been one way in which the Independence of Guyana is celebrated in Maryland.

In her homily, American pastor, The Right Reverend Dr. Mariann Edgar-Budde, made reference to the recent financial oil and gas fortunes of the country. Even though she has, so far, not visited Guyana, it was evident that she is well informed of much of the make-up and current lifestyle and economic well-being of the country. She expressed the view that Guyana is a country which has a bright future, given its many natural resources, especially the recent discovery of lucrative oil and gas finds under the waters just beyond the country’s shores.

On that Seventh Sunday of Easter in this year 2022, the Gospel which was read was about unity; “As you, Father, are in me and I in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” being an extract. The call for better unity in Guyana is ongoing. Guyana is internationally known as a nation which has freedom of worship, and the three major religions – Christianity, Hinduism and Islam – are all given equal acceptance and respect. The usual reception, which is held after the service at the St. John’s church in Mount Rainier, Maryland, was suspended again this year. However, those who attended received an attractive takeaway package.