Many churches in Lisburn have participated in special services to mark the 101st Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, which traditionally takes place in January.

L to R:  (seated) The Rev Canon William Bell (Rector of Eglantine Parish), the Very Rev Feargal McGrady (St Colman’s Parish Priest) and the Rev David Knox (Minister of Harmony Hill Presbyterian Church).  (back row) Pole bearers Jim Donaghy (left) and Michael Potter (right) with Kim Lindsay, Jim Slevin and Jayne Martin who led the prayers and Scripture lessons.

Each year, a different country is invited to write the initial worship material, which can be adapted for local use. The theme for the 2009 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity was selected by a local ecumenical group from South Korea, and is ‘That they may become one in your hand’.

On Sunday afternoon (January 18), Churches Together in Lisburn held their Annual Unity Week Service in St Colman’s Roman Catholic Church, Lambeg.  The Parish Priest, The Very Rev Feargal McGrady, Chairperson of Churches Together in Lisburn, conducted the service assisted by the Secretary of Churches Together in Lisburn, the Rev Canon William Bell, (Rector of the Eglantine Parish) and the Rev David Knox (Minister of Harmony Hill Presbyterian Church).  Also taking part were Jim Donaghy, Don Canning and Jim Slevin (St Colman’s) and Michael Potter, Jayne Martin and Kim Lindsay (Harmony Hill Presbyterian Church).  The St Colman’s Folk Group led the praise.

Inspired by the Ezekiel text read by Canon Bell, pole bearers Jim Donaghy (St Colman’s) and Michael Potter (Harmony Hill) tied two wooden poles together during the service as a symbol of unity.  As a further symbol of unity, they also brought forward a large cross, which also has two pieces of wood joined together.  In a challenging sermon Fr McGrady explained that Ezekiel put two bits of wood together as a ‘visual aid’ to show the message he was trying to get across to them; the two pieces of wood joined together as depicted by the poles and the cross is God’s sign of our reconciliation being the initiative and work of God, who holds us united in His hand.  He went on to say that likewise, God would unite the people ‘That they may become one in His hand’.

An offering was taken for the Irish School of Ecumenics and the Lambeg youth project, ‘The Base’.  Refreshments were served in the Church Hall following the service.

(Photo courtesy of John Kelly)