Saturday, January 15, 2011
Day of prayer to focus on unity
Catholic and Protestant ministers hope to overcome divisions.
STEPHANIE KLEIN-DAVIS The Roanoke Times
Catholic priest Joseph Lehman and Methodist ministers John Hemming and Gary Robbins plan a prayer celebration for Christian unity to be held Jan. 23 at several churches.
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The apostles Peter and Paul have been claimed as symbols by Catholics and Lutherans, respectively -- Peter because he was the first pope, and Paul because his writings influenced Luther's teachings.
The two saints have become beacons in the ecumenical movement, which seeks cross-denominational unity. On Jan. 23, some Christians will pray for their commonalities in churches worldwide, including 6 p.m. at Salem Presbyterian Church and at 7 p.m. at Our Lady of Nazareth Catholic Church in Southwest Roanoke County.
"We're giving witness to our faith together, and expressing a common faith in Jesus Christ," said the Rev. Joe Lehman of Our Lady of Nazareth.
An Episcopal friar started the annual prayer in 1908. But organizing pastors and worshipers for a joint service in Roanoke, where there's no regionwide faith association, can be a feat, Lehman said.
He has invited people from Baptist, Brethren, Episcopal, Lutheran, Methodist and Presbyterian churches, Lehman said. At least a half-dozen ministers have accepted, he said, including the Rev. Ken Lane of Trinity Lutheran Church in Northwest Roanoke.
"We're realizing that our value system and beliefs are much stronger than the doctrinal differences that divide us," Lane said. "We're looking at our differences in a positive way."
Some interdenominational cross-pollination, for example, has been in hymns. Many Catholic congregations use the book "Gather," which includes hymns by John Wesley, founder of the Methodist movement. Likewise, devotionals such as "Here I am Lord" and "On Eagles' Wings" by Catholic authors are on the pages of Lutheran or Presbyterian books.
The Rev. James Mauney, bishop of the Virginia Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, will give the message.
The theme of the celebration will be from Acts 2:42: "One in the apostles' teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread and prayer."
