Dear Friends,
In the celebration of our service last Sunday we renewed our Baptism vows
and affirmed that we believe and trust in God the Holy Spirit who gives life to the
people of God and makes Christ known in the world. The joy is that we are only a
small part of the people of God in Earley, in Reading or in Great Britain, not
forgetting those in every country across the world. This coming week we are invited
to celebrate that fact as Sunday marks the start of the Churches Together in Gt
Britain, “Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.”
The theme for the worship is “One Body/One Spirit. The prayers and reflections have been prepared by the faithful of the Armenian Apostolic Church, along with their
brothers and sisters of the Armenian Catholic and Evangelical Churches. These
resources draw upon centuries-old traditions of prayer and petitions used by the
Armenian people, along with hymns that originated in the ancient monasteries and
churches of Armenia, some of which date as far back as the fourth century.
Nearer home we give thanks for those of other Christian traditions that work together
with Re – Inspire, those who work with children and families with us at St. Nicolas.
Those who work in shared chaplaincy work in hospitals, prisons and universities.
Those who join in the monthly Dialogue Society meetings. Those who gather
together for worship in our care homes. In all we share and in the call to unity, we
bear with one another in love, in the bond of peace as we are called to one hope,
one faith and one Baptism.
In St. John’s Gospel ch 17 Our Lord’s Prayer is for those who through their words
put their faith in me. May they all be one, as you Father are in me, and I in you, so
may they also be in us, that the world may believe that you sent me.
As we spend time in Jesus company we will find that it shows, and then others,
spending time with us, may recognise the truth that Christ is living in us.
May we find ways to share the Good News of Jesus Christ to those around us.
In Christ,
Daphne
Daphne Cook, LLM