Cayman Islands MLAs Gather for Annual Prayer

·        Annual Parliamentary Prayer Breakfast is held for 23^rd time.

·        HE the Governor leads the roster of invited guests.

·        Pastor Alson Ebanks is the guest speaker.

Grand Cayman (GIS) – Cayman Islands’ legislators joined community members in giving praise and thanks to God in song, prayer and scripture readings at the 23^rd annual Parliamentary Prayer Breakfast, held at the Ritz-Carlton today (Wednesday, 6 February 2019).

Greeting the annual event’s audience for the first time, His Excellency the Governor, Martyn Roper emphasised Cayman Islands’ healthy democracy and its role model characteristics in many areas, in the region and beyond.

            The Speaker, Dr. the Hon. McKeeva Bush, in welcoming the gathering, noted that the parliamentary breakfast tradition was started by prominent Caymanian Dr. Edlin Merren at a time when the Legislative Assembly was a divided House in need of prayer and camaraderie. He added that this year’s attendance was the best so far.

            Councillor and MLA, Mr. Austin Harris, served as master of ceremonies.  Meanwhile, Councillor and MLA, Ms Barbara Conolly, on behalf of the Premier, Hon. Alden McLaughlin; Acting Chief Justice Hon. Richard Williams and MLA, Mr. Kenneth Bryan gave scripture readings.

            Leading the audience in prayer were Ms Carmen Conolly from East End (corporate prayer); CI Baptist Church Pastor, Dr. Randall Von Kanel (thanksgiving), St. George’s Anglican Church’s Rev. Mary Graham (for families), United Church Moderator Rev. Christopher Mason (for national leaders) and Journey Ministries Cayman Senior Leader, Pastor Felix Manzanares (for young people).

            Guest speaker, Pastor Alson Ebanks of Church of God (Chapel), was introduced by MLA, Mr. Christopher Saunders.

            Applying lessons from the Bible, notably from the life of Jesus Christ, to all practitioners, Pastor Ebanks underscored that with greater power comes greater responsibility and accountability, rather than greater privileges.

Following the vote of thanks by Chief Officer in the Portfolio of Civil Service, Mrs. Gloria McField-Nixon, Pastor James R. Arch gave the benediction.

            Musical items included the National Anthem by Ms Anika Connolly, National Song by Ms Diana DeMacardo, a solo by Rev. Ambassador Sylvia Wilks and hymns and songs by the gathering, led by Mr. Bush who was accompanied by organist Ms Katherine Jackson.

Photo captions Photos by Bina Mani, GIS

His Excellency the Governor, Martyn Roper addresses the group.

Speaker Dr. the Hon. McKeeva Bush leads the gathering in song.

Ministerial Councillor Ms Barbara Conolly reads from the scripture.

Guest speaker Pastor Alson Ebanks speaks.

Rev. Mason leads the prayer for national leaders.

Rev. Ambassador Sylvia Wilks performs a solo.

For the official Cayman Islands Government web portal, www.gov.ky:

Web title: Legislators Meet for Prayers

Web blurb: MLAs pray together with community members at annual Parliamentary Prayer Breakfast.