The Annual Service for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity took place in Ardfallen Methodist Church yesterday.
Christians from across Cork gathered in prayer and fellowship on Sunday, January 25th for the Annual Service for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, hosted this year by Ardfallen Methodist Church.
The service was led by Rev. Andrew Robinson, Canon Alan Marley, Bishop Fintan Gavin and Fr. Christy Fitzgerald. Welcoming those gathered, Bishop Fintan expressed gratitude for the spirit of prayer, friendship and openness that marks the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity each year. He noted that Christians across the world are united during this week in a shared longing “that we might become more visibly what God has already made us in Christ — one body, alive in one Spirit, called to one hope.”
Reflecting on the theme of light that shaped the prayers, hymns and readings, Bishop Fintan spoke of Christian unity as something to be lived rather than merely discussed. He noted that unity becomes visible through shared witness, service and mercy, describing it as “a light we receive, a light we share, and then a light we pass on together.”
A particularly moving moment in the service came with the lighting of candles, beginning from the Paschal Candle and passed throughout the congregation, symbolising the shared light of Christ. This was followed by the congregation standing together to proclaim the Nicene Creed — words first professed 1,700 years ago and still uniting Christians today in faith in Jesus Christ, “Light from Light.”
Rev. Andrew Robinson, Bishop Fintan Gavin, Canon Alan Marley and Fr. Christy Fitzgerald
