Song for Unity

Lisa Vallente-Osborne writes about a recent event that was run at St Joseph’s to mark the end of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity:

Christian Unity- a pipe dream or something attainable? Sometimes we feel worlds apart from our fellow christian brothers and sisters, other times we are so close and so similar. After all our goals and purpose are the same, even if our methods can somewhat differ. It’s easy to focus on the valleys that divide us instead of looking for unity which holds us as one family.

Normally we’d all be praying for unity. Something out there far off, something that feels so unattainable but actually it’s a little easier that we think to achieve.. Tonight, our packed church celebrated our annual ‘Song for Unity’ event,  welcoming Christians from all over Lancaster and beyond. Housed in those pews sat side by side were Catholics (from other churches in Lancaster and Morecambe- which in itself is a wonder!) Anglicans, Protestants, Methodists and other Christian brothers and sisters from at least 14 different churches! Not only did we have Christian diversity, we had a global mix of visitors too, from Peru, China, Singapore, as well as Dent and sunny exotic Barrow-in Furness! Together in a little Catholic Church in Lancaster, we stood, sat and prayed. Together we stayed for some time, breathing the same air for the entire evening, laughing, smiling, crying, honouring and worshiping our Lord Jesus Christ.

Our regular ‘Forever Amen’ praise & worship band swelled taking on more musicians from the Lancaster Univerity, New Life Church and more ‘free people’ (as one of the congregation leaders put it!) Free Methodists. Promoted this time through Churches Together Lancaster, we took to the front of house after a short and beautiful impromptu prayer of unity in the sacristy. We were supported by a local firm of sound engineers (Audioworks) who also represented St T’s Church!

The night began with a welcome from Fr. Philip Conner and an opening prayer from the Anglican Bishop of Lancaster, Rt Rev Bishop Jill Duff. The music was coordinated and set by Emily Boyd, our Praise & Worship leader for St Joseph’s. The music was spaced out to hold time for the larger sound of praise and worship, but also slower softer lower sounds for reflection, contemplation and prayer. A large screen provided the words for the congregational songs as well as scripture quotes from St Paul for reflective prayer. Our theme ‘Forgiven & Redeemed’. The lights went down, the stage lighting on, and the band began!

‘How amazing, isn’t He wonderful, sing Hallelujah Christ is Risen!’ (Come to the Altar).

‘HE IS RISEN!’ and tonight He joined us and made His presence felt. Tonight our voices were filled with the Spirit and he taught us how to honour and adore Him, not to just sing but spirit filled to praise and worship Him. Tonight we were raised our eyes and hearts to heaven, and heaven came to meet us. The Holy Spirit worked in us, through us and we sat or stood in awe, knowing and feeling the Kingdom present, here and now!

This is what unity looks like! THIS!! Not a pipe dream of Christians agreeing with every doctrine , although given that would by nice.. No but this!!! A night were those divided stand be side; a time to unite, pray enjoying fellowship and the belonging to one Kingdom. A night where we let Him work through us and unite our voices with those of the heavens. We were made for this. This is why Christ died, and rose! Yet so many of us in our churches are stuck with the death durgy bit, we forget what the celebration of the resurrection looks and feels like.

At the end, of the music we concluded with Colossians 3:12-17. A letter from St Paul on prayer, unity, love and the use of music for the praise and glory of the Lord. A prayer of love expressed through psalms and hymns and songs from our voices! Our voices weren’t given to us to shy away from, they are there to use! Our voices weren’t given to us so we can judge and condemn, or be ashamed of ourselves and others. Our voices were given to us so we can join the angels in praise and prayer! We can all sing! Yes! Even you who thinks you’re tone deaf, have courage and faith!

‘Father, creator of unfailing light, give that same light to those who call to you. May our lips praise you; our lives proclaim your goodness; our work give you honour, and our voices celebrate you for ever’.

Tonight, the band didn’t sing and perform, they led us all in praise and prayer. It wasn’t a show of ego or precise timing, and certainly wasn’t a perfect performance, but it was Spirit filled. The band lead to congregation to sing, and how they did!

All thoroughly enjoyed the event. All left elated, filled with hope and encouragement for life’s journey ahead. Even Bishop Jill stated that there was a gentleness in the Spirit present, that the spacing of the songs created easy moments for prayer and being with Jesus. In her words it “literally was the most moving service I have been to as Bishop of Lancaster”.

So going back the the opening statement.. Christian Unity- a pipe dream or reality? Admittedly we all have differences, beliefs and different doctrines. It does break my heart when my sister-in-law, an Anglican priest comes with me to Mass, and can participate in everything but can’t receive communion. It breaks my heart to see division and defence. Is would be easy to feel anger, resentment and be scarred by this. It would be easy to close the door to faith and judge stating that ‘our faith is the one true faith’ and then turn our backs on the rest. But if we stop and talk and listen, we realise our goals and purpose are the same. If we take a moment and breath, we realise that there’s so much we can share in! If we let our guards down, we realise we all have our faces turned to Christ, we just have a different way to express it.

“Are you hurting and broken within?

Overwhelmed by the weight of your sin?

Jesus is calling”

Our redemption is certain, whatever denomination we are. United we are all children and beloved and blessed sons and daughters of the Father.

“O come to the altar

The Father's arms are open wide

Forgiveness was bought with

The precious blood of Jesus Christ”

Don’t lose hope. Unity is very much alive and the Kingdom is here in all of us, just look within!