PHILIPSBURG--The three organisations representing the island's churches are strongly against the planned 8:30am celebration parade to mark attainment of country status on 10-10-10.
They have advised the coordinating committee to schedule the parade at midday so it doesn't coincide with the usual Sunday morning services.
The church organisations – St. Maarten United Ministerial Foundation, Foundation of Seventh Day Adventist Churches and St. Maarten/St. Martin Christian Council - had been in contact with organisers since the time had been made public last week.
They followed up with a letter on October 5 to the coordinator Dennis Richardson with its concern and suggestion for a later start.
However, up to Wednesday afternoon no reply had been received. The groups have now issued a joint press release making the matter public.
The churches are not against the people celebrating the country status but "... since government have adhered to the churches' proposal to recognise God in the constitution, we believe the time of worship and fellowship must be safeguarded and respected."
The groups are committed to "invoking God's presence" in the St. Maarten flag-raising ceremony on Saturday, October 9 at 11:00pm and an ecumenical service in the New Testament Baptist Church on Sunday, October 10 at 6:00am.
"May we all be blessed to have attained separate status within the Dutch Kingdom and may the good Lord continue to bless St. Maarten and her leaders," the church groups said.
