By Steve Tunsstall, Trinity Baptist URC and secre3tary of Central Keighley churches Together.

Week of Prayer for Christian unity

The annual Week of Prayer Services for Christian Unity, always held from January 18 to 25 inclusive, celebrates its 90th anniversary this year. It was on January 18, 1908 that the first 'Octave of Prayer for Christian Unity' was held. Each year the theme for the services is arranged by a different ecumenical group of Christians from somewhere in the world. For instance, in 1997, it was the responsibility of Scandinavian Christians and this year, 1998, an ecumenical team from the Council of Christian Churches in France has had the responsibility.

The overall theme this year is 'Strong in the Spirit' on the basis of, 'The Spirit helps us in our weakness' and the full eight day programme focuses on the Epistle of St Paul to the Romans, chapter 8 and verses 14 to 27, the great chapter about living life in The Spirit. I quote the following paragraph from the literature prepared which sets out the aims to be achieved.

"The earnest desire of this year's Prayer for Christian Unity is for the Spirit to raise us from being discouraged by our own weakness; to encourage us to tackle setbacks in the way of full communion among sons and daughters of God. Unity is the Holy Spirit's gift and we should dare to hope for all that God wishes to grant us. Strong in this belief, we come together to worship. The ecumenical service suggested moves from the recognition of our weakness to attentiveness to the Word of God and on to our response in joint action in our neighbourhood and our world."

Can the churches of Keighley achieve these aims? Of course they can! for Jesus told his disciples in Matthew 19 v 26 "With God all things are possible" so we need as the church of God in Keighley to acknowledge our weaknesses but at the same time seek by the power of the Holy Spirit to be strong. We need to move forward in the marvellous words of the collect from the Book of Common Prayer that we "... may be led into the way of truth, and hold the faith in the unity of the Spirit, in the bond of peace and in righteousness of life."

Lack of space precludes me from giving details of the seven places of worship in Central Keighley Churches Together where services will be held but full details should by now be posted on every church notice board in Keighley and District and there are in addition, posters on the Market Hall and Central Library notice boards and also at The Grapevine; I can however say that the weekday services will commence at 7pm and last for 30/40 minutes, followed by refreshments and the final service on Sunday January 25 will commence at 6pm.

Please ponder the theme: "Strong in The Spirit" and "The Spirit helps us in our weakness".

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