On Sunday 26th May, members of Rockhampton Churches Together and the Ministers Fellowship - Peace Community, (Rockhampton and Mount Morgan) Rock Covenant Love Ministries, Christian Outreach Church, Uniting, Baptist, Anglican, Lutheran and Catholic denominations - gathered in St Joseph’s Cathedral to celebrate as one in our loving God an Ecumenical Service in anticipation of the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, this year being the 2nd – 9th June.  

The Service was written by Christians of Indonesia and published by the Pontifical Council of Christian Unity and the World Council of Churches.  This was then adapted to suit the local scene.  The theme ‘Justice and only justice, you shall pursue’ was inspired by writings in the Book of Deuteronomy, (Dt 16:18-20). It was organised here in Rockhampton by Sr Beryl Amedee in consultation with an Ecumenical planning committee.  The music was outstanding with an ecumenical choir of approximately fifty, drawn from the various denominations and conducted by the gifted Di-Anne Rowan.  Special mention must go the members of the Youth Group from Peace Church in Thozet Rd.  Their singing and instrumentation were excellent, and they lead us all into joyous prayer.  A group from the Rock Covenant Love Ministries (South Sea Islanders) lead the congregation in a beautiful four-part harmony of the Alleluia before the Gospel.  Bishop Michael warmly welcomed all to St Joseph’s Cathedral and delivered a fine sermon, drawing on his own experience of Christian unity from earlier in his life.

The congregation gathered out on the forecourt for afternoon tea, supplied by the Cathedral Parish.  Our thanks go to Fr Bryan Hanifin, Dean of the Cathedral for his generous hospitality.