Taking Jesus’ word seriously
A look back at a Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2009

 Adam May, Communications Officer for Churches Together in Bognor Regis,

Each January, the Christian Church has the opportunity to stop and reflect for a week on the importance of unity, centred in Jesus’ own prayer found in John’s Gospel. This allows us to work above and beyond the theological and matters of churchmanship which often hinders that unity. This week this year began on Sunday 18th January 2009 and included a range of events across the district. As Communications Officer, it was privilege to be involved in coordinating of these events. It was a week in which God stopped me in my tracks and called me to reflect on how I respond to that prayer for Unity.

I offer a look back at the week. The week began on Sunday 18th January 2009 with an afternoon service entitled ‘We’re all special’ at St Wilfrid’s Church led by Chris Bemrose, Community Worker and other members of the L’arche Community Bognor. This service was not like unity service I’ve attended in the past, but an exciting opportunity to interact with one another through the various workshops. Our service began with a word of welcome and explanation on the L’arche Bognor before setting off into our various groups to create the rest of the service. There was an opportunity to write prayers, choose songs, perform a short drama and an art workshop in the hall.

My lasting memory of this service was the way in which our gifts and talents where celebrated for what they really are. L’arche is a clear demonstration of how people can work together despite sex, age, class and disability. I came away from that service with a real sense that God calls us to be unique using where we are at and our talents for him. It is that working together, as we reflected on the reading of the Body which Christ’s church can be a presence in the world around.

Each weekday morning, the Hub Community Centre open its doors for prayer and reflection. Although not many people took up this opportunity, the very presence that it takes place is a witness in itself. The devotional material guiding us through the week written by Churches Together in Britian and Ireland enabled us to think through what it means for God to be our God, and we his people. The week was unpinned in prayer with the unity candle being lit at the Daily Eucharist at St Wilfrid’s Church. On the Thursday, Father Andrew Wadsworth offered the Eucharist to pray for the work of unity in our town.

On the Tuesday lunchtime of the week, there was an open meeting which I led with input from Lt Peter Clark, Chair of Churches Together in Bognor Regis and Ian Chisnall, Mission and Ministry Coordinator for Churches Together in Sussex. A small number gathered to simply stop and make space to reflect on what is meant by Christian Unity. In his thought for the day looking at the words of St Paul in Ephesians, Peter Clark challenged us to think about Christian Unity as being on a bike; we are called to get on, struggle through the rocky ground as well as the good ground. We were also encouraged with all the good things which are taking place in the name of Churches Together in Bognor Regis.

In his address, Ian Chisnall spoke about the need for surrendering of wills for the sake of Christian Unity. Too often we are too focused on keeping our church going that we loose sight of the bigger picture! Ian went on to talk about the positive response to Hope O8 in the county and asked us to keep mission at the fore of what we are doing.

On the Wednesday and Thursday, the members of Felpham Methodist had a Prayer Labyrinth. This was an opportunity to stop in prayer at nine stations to reflect or do something to enable us to draw nearer to God. There was also the chance to have your own Communion service. This was a very moving experience as it touches the heart of your humanity.

I would like to end this article with a huge thank you to everyone who worked so hard during the week of Prayer for Christian Unity to make it a success!

Adam May

Resources

Podcast from the Unity Service at St Wilfrid’s Church led by the L’arche Community Bognor

Slideshow of the Week from the Churches Together Google Picasa Site