Inter-Church Coordination

The Inter Faith Service on Thursday the 24th of May was a resounding success, as all who attended will testify. Pentecost is one of the areas in Christian faith where there is unanimity of belief amongst the various Christian traditions. On this occasion, along with Fr. Kieran Twomey, there were Rev Valerie Fletcher, Presbyterian, Rev Daniel Nuzum, Church of Ireland and Rev Geraldine Gracie, Methodist who presided on this occasion. Was this the first woman to preach at our Church?

The theme for the night was change and barriers to change. Rev Geraldine spoke firstly about the significance of Pentecost for all Christian Churches. She described the day of Pentecost as the day of awe and wonder. A day that changed the Apostles from a group uncertain of the future to one sure of their calling, from lurking in a room to full of faith and from being behind locked doors to going boldly among the crowds.

On barriers to change Rev Geraldine told the story of the Samaritan woman at the well. She explained the significance of the time of the day and the context that existed between Jew and Samaritan and men and women at that time. The woman came to realise that Jesus cared for her as no one before ever had; illustrating that both Jesus and the woman set all barriers, cultural, social, and religious, aside.

On the theme of change Rev Geraldine made the point that change is a constant, be it through bereavement, unemployment or any other area of living. However, it is her experience that change is slowest when it comes to adjusting our attitudes to other Christians.

Taking from the Gospel reading ”…those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one.” She went on to explain that what Jesus prayed for was, that we would be one, not a uniform group, but a united group. There had always been divisions in the Church from the earliest times with e.g. Peter seeing the new faith as exclusively for Jews and Paul including the Gentiles. It was not a question of one being right and the other wrong, but rather both believing in Jesus Christ and the spreading of his message.

Occasions such as this do not just happen. Thanks to all the Ministers who participated, to Mary O’Herlihy and the Liturgy Group who prepared the Crypt, to Paddy Killeen for his wonderful accompaniment to the singing and to the members of the outgoing Pastoral Council for preparing and serving the tea. Especial thanks to all of you who gave up a fine summer’s evening; to attend the service, you made the occasion.