Once a year, Christians come together to pray for their unity. With more than 100 years of history, this annual observance called the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, lasts eight days and is celebrated internationally.
Every year, a particular region prepares resources for this. This year it has been prepared by the churches of the Middle East, the history of which was, and still is, characterised by conflict and strife.
Churches Together in Britain & Ireland are encouraging Christians to pray for the church unity, interfaith understanding in the Middle East & Holy Land, and good relations between Jews, Christians, and Muslims in the UK.
In Luton, a special service of prayer for Christian Unity was held at Holy Trinity Church, Biscot on Sunday 23rd January 2022. The service was jointly led by Revd Jairo Nyaongo of Vicar of St. Augustine Church with Holy Trinity Luton and Bishop's Adviser for Minority Ethnic Concerns, Father Richard Brown SSC of Holy Cross Church Mars Farm Luton & Father David Kesterton of All Saints Church with St Peter Luton & Area Dean of Luton.
Fr David preached an encouraging message about the importance of working together with Christians of other denominations. He highlighted the fact that at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, one of Christianity's holiest sites, the space is shared by numerous ancient Christian denominations and the key to the church has been held by the generations of a Muslim family.
Also, Luton Ecumenical Deans’ Group organised an event for Christians in Luton Reflecting on the Church post-Covid on Sat 22nd Jan’22.
The esteemed guest speaker Rt Rev David J Oakley, Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Northampton, focused on Christian Unity and how must we move forward in the post-Covid context.
He said “Our communion may not be perfect but it is real. Our common witness and collaboration in the post Covid context must include us all talking together about the spiritual, social and ecological problems of our world. Our faith cannot be hived-in separately from our concern for the well-being of the whole world.”
He added, “We are pilgrim people of God. We are not there yet, but we are on the journey. We have come a long way already. It’s only a matter of time when we get there. In the meantime, let’s not give up on one another”
Reminding Jesus called us all to be ‘child-like’ and not ‘child-ish’, Bishop encouraged all to pray together for God’s grace and mercy and encouraged all to share our building and resources together in the service and care of those in need in our town.
He expressed concerns that in our post-Covid world, there are many exploring the meaning of life; many fear death, many are afflicted by poverty, mental health and isolation. Our communities need our pastoral care.
He said the pandemic has forced us from inward-looking to be outward-looking.
Luton Ecumenical Deans described Bishop David Oakley’s deliberations as thought-provoking, challenging, intriguing and enlightening.
May the spirit of tolerance and compassion, listening and learning, guide our thoughts and actions and may we all be driven to establish peace and goodwill in our world. AMEN.
Rt Rev David J Oakley, Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Northampton, focused on Christian Unity and how must we move forward in the post Covid context in a Week of Prayer for Christian Unity event held in Luton on 22nd Jan’22 at Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Luton.
Luton Ecumenical (Methodist & Anglican) Deans described Bishop David Oaley’s deliberations thought-provoking, challenging, intriguing and enlightening.
L to R:
Rev Patrick Gbanie Kandeh, the newly arrived South Bedfordshire Methodist Circuit Superintendent Minister with pastoral responsibility for Farley Hill, High Town & Strathmore Avenue Methodist Churches
Rt Rev David J Oakley, Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Northampton
Revd David Kesterton, Vicar Parish of All Saints with St Peter, Luton & C of E Area Dean of Luton
L to R : Father David Kesterton of All Saints Church with St Peter & Area Dean of Luton, Revd Jairo Nyaongo of St. Augustine Church with Holy Trinity and Bishop's Adviser for Minority Ethnic Concerns & Father Richard Brown SSC of Holy Cross Church Mars Farm Luton jointly leading a special service of prayer for Christian Unity at Holy Trinity Church, Biscot on Sunday 23rd January 2022