It was a good turnout for members of the Point Fortin Baptist community yesterday as they held their 9th annual Shouters Baptist Liberation Day celebrations. Many gathered in front of Market Square under the hot sun to the songs of praise and worship. The contingency was made up of worshippers from Point Fortin, Arima, Morvant, Laventille, San Fernando and other parts of the country.
Accompanied by police officers, the worshippers engaged themselves in a procession through the streets. There was also a rhythm section following the procession. The parade climaxed at Festival Square in Mahaica were they met other members for an afternoon of prayer and worship in a thanksgiving style. Members of the officiating church, St Michael's, performed a welcome ritual which included the mixture of milk, oil, rice and honey.
Co-ordinator of the proceedings, teacher Ann Cave, told the gathering to remember that their fathers and forefathers were forbidden to praise God. "They had to hide in bushes and go way back into the forest to clap and sing," she said. The afternoon held entertainment such as gospel singing and a play from the Cap-de-ville Folk Performers.
