Week of Prayer for Christians Unity: One Body, One Spirit!

As we begin to celebrate the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity this Sunday, it is an opportune time to consider the wonderful Christian diversity and connection that we have in Lucan / Palmerstown thanks to the foresight and good relationships of local clergy some decades ago. The last twelve months have seen a big turnover of clergy in Lucan & Palmerstown. We have said goodbyes to some of the clergy in most of the denominations this year and now bid a big welcome to the new appointees.

The clergy of all the established Christian denominations in Lucan and Palmerstown: Catholic, Church of Ireland, Presbyterian, Methodist & Indian Orthodox meet socially on a monthly basis to share items of shared interest and enjoy refreshments together. Core members of the parish team are part of this group also. Planning for prayer together for the Reading of the Nativity Account and for local ecumenical services occurs at the gatherings along with sharing of invitations to events of shared interest or celebration. All are welcome at the faith gatherings across all denominations with a local familiarity that is quite unusual in any area.

The theme for this year's week of prayer draws on Ephesians 4:4: There is one body and one Spirit.

This theme is very apt in current times when we see disharmony, gross power struggles and dehumanisation of many in our international happenings. It is important that we gather in unity wherever we can as members of connected communities. As Christians we are held in the one body that is Christ where we find our meaning and purpose. We are held in community together to share with one another, to enjoy the gifts of our faith and community and to support one another. It’s a space of collaborative friendship.

Each year a diocesan opening prayer service is celebrated in one particular location. This year the Diocesan Service for the Opening of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity will be celebrated in the beautiful, new Indian Orthodox Church in Palmerstown on Sunday 18 January at 8.00p.m. (opposite the Catholic Church of St Philomena and beside Aldi).

Our local Service of Prayer for Christian Unity will take place in the Presbyterian Church on Monday 26th January at 8.00p.m. All are welcome to attend both services to pray and celebrate together.

Cathy Burke
Catechist in the Lucan Partnership of Parishes