Sunday morning, March 25, 2007. Portia Simpson Miller joins the congregation at Webster Memorial United Church in St Andrew to celebrate her first year in office as Jamaica’s prime minister, in a service held under the theme ‘Celebrating and remembering’.

“I personally wanted to join you as I remember my elevation to the position of prime minister for this country,” Simpson Miller said in a brief greeting to the congregation.

“We are here celebrating the future of our country.”

This Friday will mark exactly one year since Simpson Miller became prime minister, after People’s National Party delegates elected her to lead the ruling party on the retirement of P J Patterson.

“I thank God for being my captain throughout the year,” Simpson Miller said yesterday. “I’ve faced many challenges, many triumphs and many opportunities throughout the year, and I thank God for leading the way.”

Yesterday also marked the 200th year since the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade. The anniversary was repeatedly highlighted during the service. For her part, Simpson Miller commended the endurance of our ancestors, by quoting Marcus Garvey.

“They had a patience not yet known to man,” she said. “As we honour their memory, we are to cherish this freedom, because slavery was a crime against humanity and a crime against the law of God.”

Several government ministers, including National Security Minister Dr Peter Phillips, who ran against Simpson Miller in the PNP presidential race last year, attended the service.

Simpson Miller also asked the congregation to seek God’s guidance for her Government. “I ask that you will continue to pray for me,” she said. “I ask that you will continue to pray for my Government that God will continue to direct our path, that the decisions…we take will be guided by Him.”

The prime minister and her husband, Errald Miller, also celebrated their wedding anniversary yesterday.