The Clergy and other leadership of the Caribbean American Community in New York City has invited the press and community members to a “Candles & Roses” memorial service on Sunday, May 16, 2021 at the Bethesda Healing Center Church, 167 E 98th St, Brooklyn, NY 11212, at 6:00 PM EST, to commemorate Caribbean Americans and others who were lost to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The memorial sermon will be delivered by the Honorable Hakeem Jeffries, United States Congressman for the 8th Congressional District of New York and Chairman of the Democratic Caucus in the United States House of Representatives.
Tributes will be delivered by New York State Attorney General, Letitia James; Congresswoman Yvette Clarke; New York Senator Roxanne Persaud; New York Assembly Members Nick Perry and Diana Richardson; Justice of the New York State Appellate Court, Sylvia Hinds-Radix; US Ambassador to Guyana Sarah-Ann Lynch; Chairman of the West Indian Day Carnival Association, Michelle Gibbs, Chief Executive Officer of One Brooklyn Health System, Brooklyn District attorney, Hon. Eric Gonzalez, Ms. LaRay Brown, members of the Caribbean Clergy and others.
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, New York City Mayor Bill DeBlasio, as well as other federal, state and city elected officials have been invited to attend. The New York City Police Department, the Judiciary and members of the diplomatic corps are also expected to attend.
This commemoration will be in the form of a gospel concert punctuated by special tributes, prayers and Scripture. Organizers hope to inspire and help bring closure and healing to families who lost loved ones to the dreadful Covid-19 pandemic, but were unable to grant them last respects with traditional celebration of life ceremonies because of emergency restrictions.
The Committee has invited families who lost loved ones to attend, as well as to visit the “Candle Roses Memorial” Facebook Page and upload the names, birth and death dates, and a photograph of their loved ones for inclusion in a video tribute to the fallen heroes.
Artistes slated to perform include, gospel singer Carol Maraj, mother of superstar rapper, Nicki Minaj, singer RKHTY, Guyanese R&B singer, Anthony Baynes, US Army Veteran and winner of the McDonald Gospel Fest, Gerard Placide, gospel singer and school Brooklyn principal, Dr. Cherry-Ann Hislop, medical student, Denisha Mccurchin, gospel singers Odayne Rhoden and Eugenia Inyanobor, Bethesda Healing Center Dance Ministries and saxophonist, Noel Hale, among others.
For more information contact Rev. Gilford T. Monrose at (718) 755-3418 or of Rickford Burke at 917-635-4476 via email [email protected]. This event will be streamed live at: Facebook/Instagram: Bethesda Healing Center.
Covid-19 regulations will be enforced.
Intended attendees must RSVP by May 14, 2021 at: [email protected].
