‘Blessed and Humbled’: Local leaders break bread for Christian unity

(L-R) Father Alexander Morozow – Russian Orthodox Church Canberra Bishop Mark Short – Anglican diocese of Canberra and Goulburn Fr Michael Zamer – Coptic Orthodox Church Janet Kay – Co-chair Canberra Region Presbytery, Uniting Church Rev Belinda Groves – Team leader, Canberra Baptist Church Major Norm Beckett – Salvation Army Major Isobel Beckett – Salvation Army Archbishop Christopher Prowse, Pastor Stephen Dunn – Awaken Church, Canberra Rev David Campbell – Senior Minister Presbyterian Church Jamie van Heel – ACT Coordinator Australia Prays Rev Gabor Szabo – Lutheran Church Canberra Fr Richard Thompson – Vicar General, Archdiocese of Canberra & Goulburn

The day was cold and foggy, but the spirit was bright and sure.

Christian unity was on show today during Archbishop Christopher Prowse’s annual hosting of an ecumenical lunch for the leaders of Canberra’s Christian communities.

Held at his official residence, the Archbishop noted it had become a “bit of a tradition.”

“We can go about our business in parallel lives, but to meet today around the table was a very Christ thing to do,” he said.

The Rev Belinda Groves of the Canberra Baptist Church agreed, noting there are many places around the world where people can’t sit around the table with their different backgrounds and views”.

“And yet we are joined by the love of Christ. That’s a wonderful thing to celebrate together.”

Pastor Stephen Dunn of the Pentecostal Awaken Church, joining the gathering for the first time, said he was “blessed and humbled” to be able to attend.

Originally from Melbourne, he was surprised at the level of unity he experienced across the Christian churches in Canberra. “We’re just really encouraged by it. We love to see what God’s doing in our communities in our city.”

Jamie Van Heel, ACT Coordinator of Australia Prays, believed it was important to concentrate on what the Christian communities had in common rather than on “what separates us.”

“A lot of it is built on a relationship of trust,” he said, “Of understanding, we’re in the same boat.”

“As we move forward, Christianity and faith will be a contested issue in the community. We must have each other’s back because we stand for the same values and the same Saviour.”

For Mark Short, the Anglican bishop of Canberra and Goulburn, sharing food and hospitality was central to the Christian faith.

“I see gatherings like this as a powerful symbol of hope,” he underlined.