Published 9th May 2011, 10:54am

At the 19th annual Parliamentary Prayer Breakfast at the Westin today (Monday, 9 May), blessings were invoked for the Islands' leaders and people.

Representatives of the executive, civil service and the judiciary as well as invited guests attended the breakfast that is customarily held before a new legislature session begins (now on Tuesday, 17 May for the Throne Speech and Budget presentations.)

In her welcome, the Speaker the Hon. Mary Lawrence, MBE, JP, stressed the need for all to put aside bitterness and division, and instead remain grateful for Cayman's many blessings.

His Excellency the Acting Governor, Mr. Donovan Ebanks, MBE, JP; Opposition Leader the Hon. Alden McLaughlin, MBE, JP and Grand Court Judge, the Hon. Mr. Justice Charles Quin, read Bible texts.

Leading the gathering in prayer were the Deputy Premier the Hon. Juliana O'Connor-Connolly, Rev. Robert Thompson, Pastor Winston Rose and Pastor Wilton McDonald.

East End MLA, Mr. Arden McLean, JP made presentations to Mr. Rudy Myles and Mrs. Katherine Jackson. Cert. Hon., who joined Ms Melissa Smith and Mr. Samuel Rose in providing musical offerings.

Mr. McLean also made presentations to Assistant Clerk of the Assembly, Ms. Nana Bothwell, who coordinates the event annually and to Ms Susan Merren for her parents Mrs. Helen and Dr. Edlin Merren, who is an organiser of the event since inception.

In addition, Mr. McLean presented gifts to Mrs. Dionne Anglin and Director of Sports Collin Anglin (who was introduced by Minister of Health, Environment, Youth, Sports and Culture, the Hon. Mark Scotland, JP.)

As keynote speaker, Mr. Anglin received a standing ovation for his talk highlighting the benefits of having a personal relationship with God.

Sharing about a setback he received when he was 12, Mr. Anglin reiterated that personality is moulded by the company one keeps during childhood, the strong foundation a church-based upbringing provides and the need for forgiving others as well as oneself.

Minister of Community Affairs, Gender and Housing the Hon. Michael Adam, MBE, JP, gave the vote of thanks.