By Petulia Clarke, Staff ReporterTHE ENTIRE community of Payne Land, South West St. Andrew, spent New Year's Eve under heavy police guard as the community remained under curfew.
Those that opted for church had to undergo police searches and those that entered were greeted with a search by a polite policeman who were quick with season's greetings. The streets were, however, alight with firecrackers, food, and music as both policemen and residents celebrated.
Thousands more Jamaicans spent the night gazing at the skies for 15 minutes of the national fireworks at the Waterfront, Kingston Harbour.
"Mi wish mi did bring mi camera," a young girl told her equally mesmerized friend. "It pretty eeh, a hope dem nuh disturb God."
The need for spiritual awakening was high on church agendas on New Year's Eve, as congregations were warned to make 2003 a spiritually productive year.
From Portmore to downtown Kingston and into St. Andrew, hundreds of people turned up at churches heard the message that of much needed changes for the New Year.
Though fewer persons seemed to have opted for church this year, the sprit was the same as in years past, and many spent the night watching and praying for a good new year.
They went by bus, taxis, some walked and even a truckload of church women and children was spotted in downtown Kingston. Jeans, mini skirts, spandex and shorts were worn and as the New Year's countdown began, some opted for testimony, others for prayer and still others buried their noses in the Word.
The testimonies featured at the Faith Temple New Testament Church of God in Portmore.
A baptism was held at the church after midnight.
Praises were higher and the mood was lighter at the nearby Emmanuel Apostolic, where at 10:30 p.m, exuberant red, blue, purple and yellow flag bearing women weaved through the pews chanting songs of praise.
"It's all about glorifying God in every way," a dancing church brother said, explaining the meaning of the flags.
The St. Andrew Parish Church was subdued, with only an organist playing for the handful of worshippers present after 11 o'clock.
Fellowship Tabernacle on Half-Way-Tree Road was crammed and Webster's Memorial had what looked like its regular Sunday congregation. Tradition also continued at the Wildman Street Pentecostal in Kingston, where cars were parked for blocks, as worshippers enjoyed the service.
