Various religious denominations gather to pray for Christian unity

by Rev. Mr. Richard A. Cronican

"My brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus, now is the acceptable time, now is the day of salvation. We cannot rectify all the evils that surround us. We cannot alone bring about the unity we desire. But we can say together and begin to live together the faith-filled commitment of Ruth to Naomi: ‘Wherever you go, I will go, wherever you lodge I will lodge, your people shall be my people, and your God my God.’

And may God bless both our mutual commitment and our common journey back home."

With these words Bishop John C. Nienstedt called upon those gathered at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New Ulm to seek unity among Christian brothers and sisters. The occasion was the conclusion of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity on Saturday, January 25, 2003.

The Unity Octave, as it is also called, began in 1908. It is sponsored internationally by the World Council of Churches and the Vatican. This year’s theme was "We hold this treasure - this gift - in earthen vessels... therefore we do not lose heart..."

(2 Corinthians 4:5-18). Each year the theme and texts for the Week of Prayer are initially prepared by an international group whose members are appointed by the Faith and Order Commission of the World Council of Churches and the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.

Here in the Diocese of New Ulm the Office of Ecumenism invited heads of various religious denominations to gather at the Cathedral with Bishop Nienstedt to pray for unity. Present in the sanctuary with him were Rev. Jon Anderson, Pastor of Christ the King Lutheran Church in New Ulm, representing Bishop Paul Ranum of the Southwest Synod of the ELCA; Rev. Patricia Hinker, the District Superintendent / Southwest District of the Minnesota Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church; Rallah Madison, an elder of the Presbyterian Church and immediate past moderator of the Presbytery of Minnesota Valley; and Rev. Richard Scheer, Executive of the United Church of Christ. Also present was Rev. Susan Whiteman representing the Minnesota Council of Churches. Several members of the area clergy also attended.

As each ecclesiastical representative addressed the congregation, the prayer of Jesus found in the Gospel of John came to mind, "I pray not only for them, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, so that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you" (John 17:20-21).

The Office of Ecumenism hopes to make this an annual event.