Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Service

Clergy from various church denominations in North West Rochdale met on Thursday 12 January to discuss the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Service to be held at 6pm at Spotland Methodist Church on 22 January.

The Churches in Ireland have chosen this year’s theme of the Unity Service as "Where two or three are gathered in my name’. Ireland has a deep and painful history. Political and religious aims and aspirations have torn communities apart and have caused real hurt on all sides.  But people working and praying together has brought much healing to many of the physical and psychological wounds that have been inflicted. In small gatherings of two or three and in great gatherings of many hundreds, people have experienced great comfort and found a way forward to working together in peace despite their differences.

The North West Rochdale clergy meet monthly to plan and to share ideas at each others’ homes or at a local restaurant or pub.  At a recent meeting of the Laity and Clergy Churches Together, the Lay Chairman Roger Whitford, from Cutgate Baptist Church, said’ "Isn’t it good to see our clergy getting on so well together?" That is certainly true from looking at the photo – all different people, from different church backgrounds enjoying each others company and knowing where each other is coming from and working together.

Photo: Left to right: Revd Lynne Connolly (Vicar of St Clement’s Spotland, Church of England), Revd Stephen May, (Vicar of St Paul’s Norden, Church of England), Revd Malcolm Sharrock (Minister of Spotland Methodist Church) and Pastor Brian Drury (Cutgate Baptist Church). 

Also involved are Revd Paul Brindle (St Vincent’s Roman Catholic Church) and Revd Paul Gully (St Michael’s Bamford, Church of England).

Date article online: 13/01/2006