Wells Churches unite for week of prayer

The churches of Wells-Next-the-Sea in North Norfolk joined together last month to celebrate the world-wide week of prayer for Church Unity.

Julia Walton, a Catholic and Chair of Churches Together in Wells shares her experience of the week, highlights what they did, what worked well and some of the challenges they face as a local Churches Together group.
 
She pointed out that the end of the Prayer for Christian Unity week is a time to reflect on what we have and how we can build it. She said, “This has been an amazing week, so full of prayer, coffee, tea and biscuits, and empowered by the company of other Christians. Gathering after prayer and worship becomes part of the prayers we offer up in our efforts to be together, and crucially, that we discuss the impact on us from the varied sessions held during the week. Even though there were different opinions on the style and the words of prayer used, what was wonderful is that everyone was prepared to discuss it openly and generously.”
 
The group in Wells comprises Quakers, Anglicans, Catholics, Methodists, Congregationalists and Orthodox. Representatives from each church met together daily during the week for prayer, except for one of the days when too many of the members were involved in preparing and running community lunches!
 
Julia said “It is a revelation that it is possible to pray in so many different ways. These ranged from the Café Church session organised by the Together in Christ, Bound by Love, Serving as One Anglicans to the peaceful contemplation style offered by the Quakers. Whichever tradition led on the day it was the devotion to God that I found so heart-warming in today’s secular world.”
 
The Sunday service for the week was held in the Catholic church, pictured above, with an invited priest, Fr James Walsh, who gave an inspirational talk on ecumenism and its importance for all Christians.
 
Julia said “What inspires me is that we continue to encourage each other to pray, study and work together, to continue breaking down the barriers between our different traditions. It is this that motivates and encourages me want to continue to work at it.”
 
To read Julia’s full report, read the Norfolk and Waveney Churches Together Ecumenical Update on the Network Norfolk website.
 
The picture of Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church in Wells is courtesy of norfolkchurches.co.uk.
 

Do you have a news story or forthcoming event relating to Christians or a church in North Norfolk?  

If so, e-mail tony.rothe@networknorwich.co.uk with details and, if possible a suitable picture.