MINISTERS from eight churches of differing denominations have
been swapping pulpits with each other to mark the Week of Prayer
for Christian Unity.
The ministers of the Nottingham suburbs of Eastwood, Greasley,
Newthorpe, and Brinsley delivered sermons in a series of services
in the churches of their neighbours.
Among them was an assistant curate at St Mary's, Eastwood, the
Revd Anna Alls, who preached at Newthorpe Baptist Church on Sunday
morning; and the deacon at the RC Our Lady of Good Counsel,
Eastwood, the Revd Stephen Doona, who preached at St Mary's. Later
the same day, the Priest-in-Charge at St Mary's, the Revd David
Stevenson, spoke at the United Reformed Church, Eastwood.
Mrs Alls had been given her text to preach on - John 1.43-51
(Jesus calls Philip and Nathanael) - and was asked to speak for 20
minutes, "which was fine, as that's what I do in my church, too,"
she said. "It was just one of those amazing services where
everything flowed.
"It was absolutely beautiful. The theme was present all the way
through; the music was perfect; the prayers were perfect.
"Goodness me, God was in the house. It was a really, really good
experience for me. I'd love to do it again."
The other churches involved were: St Mary's, Greasley; Brinsley
Community Church; Percy Street Baptist, and Eastwood and Newthorpe
Baptists.
"We are all quite similar churches," Mrs Alls said. "We are all
- even the Catholics - reasonably Charismatic, generally
Evangelical. There is no great difference in theology. . . We want
to be 'The Church in Eastwood and district', because we have more
in common than separates us."