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Praying together will help heal the wounds

Stephen Smyth explains his role as Ecumenical Officer for Glasgow Churches Together, in an article first published in September 2003 in InTouch, the magazine of the Church of Scotland's Glasgow Presbytery.

People are sometimes concerned about what ecumenism may mean for them and their church. Probably the most helpful phrase is ‘Unity in Diversity’.

Healthy ecumenism has moved towards a greater respect for other churches, their histories and the gifts they bring to the whole church. There is a real challenge to everyone to find what we can learn from one another and be open to change through dialogue.

Unfortunately, in our part of the world, episodes from our religious history and aspects of denominational differences are sometimes used to try to keep our people and traditions apart. We all need to work and pray to overcome this. Unity does not mean uniformity. Difference does not mean division. Ecumenical dialogue is taking place at many levels, from the institutional and theological to the local and practical.

Wherever it is happening, an absolutely vital element in this dialogue is taking time for prayer together. In dialogue at the prayer level, with one another in the presence of God, will surely show us the way ahead.

As an Ecumenical Officer I inform and implement policy decided at the GCT Committee, which meets regularly. I also promote the programme of GCT services across the city, for example: services for Christian Unity Week, Pentecost, St Andrew’s Day, Peace during the Gulf War and Carols for Peace at Christmas.

I visit Local Church Together (LCT) groups and sometimes I am asked to visit a particular parish group or guild. Wherever I go, I am always encouraged when I hear peoples’ stories and experiences – even the difficult ones. I share examples of good practice from people and groups elsewhere – from Good Friday Walks to employing a Youth Worker, from local church information leaflets to formal church partnerships.

I have the privilege of being a Corresponding Member of Glasgow Presbytery. I am a member of a number of local and national committees for the Church of Scotland, Roman Catholic Church and Scottish Episcopal Church, and I work closely with ACTS (Action of Churches Together in Scotland). In this way Glasgow’s positive ecumenical experience is contributing actively to the work of the churches and the fostering of ecumenism in the wider Scottish context.

In Glasgow I work closely with our new GCT chair, Rev Angus Kerr (Church of Scotland), its Vice Chair, Rev Crawford Logan (Methodist), other members of our committee, Church Leaders and many LCT activists.

Our GCT mailing now goes out to over 200 individuals, groups and media contacts. This includes about 40 active ecumenical groups and contacts from denominations who are not members of GCT. Most of these receive the mailing by email rather than post.

GCT information, our Events List and Prayer Initiative are also available on our website (www.glasgowchurches.org.uk) along with pictures, articles and links to other Christian sites

On behalf of GCT, I would encourage individuals and parishes to make the effort to stretch out the hand of friendship to other churches in their area, even at a social level.

It would take so little for all of our Glasgow churches to pray on a Sunday for all the other Christians meeting in neighbouring churches.