Week of Prayer for Christian Unity service at Christ Church
Thursday, 4 February 2010
The annual service in the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity was held on Sunday afternoon in Christ Church, Church of Ireland, based in the Bowling Green, Strabane.
The theme of the service was 'Few are witnesses'. The readings were from Luke Chapter 24. The first reading was read form the back of the church by Rev Michael Doherty, who then came forward so the Bible could be placed on the Holy Table. The other readings and the intercessions were read by members of the main Christian churches in Strabane. The organist was Mr Roy Adams, and there was a joint choir from all the churches.
In his sermon, the rector, Rev Geoffrey Wilson, talked about the women who had visited the empty tomb, the first witnesses, but they were not believed by the disciples. He pointed out how Jesus had listened carefully to the two men on the road to Emmaus.
In our community "many people were witnesses to political violence and some have not been believed," he said. He pointed out that "it is important that we as individual Christians and the Christian Churches listen to witnesses of political violence and work to heal their trauma and hurt".
An offertory of more than £250 will be donated jointly to the Irish School of Ecumenics and Glenside Training Centre.
Over tea in the hall after the service, the rector, Mr Wilson, thanked the ladies of the parish who had prepared the tea. He also thanked all the people who had taken part in the service, including members of the joint choir.
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