150 Christians unite for chain of prayer in Norwich 

Well over 150 people gathered in the Anglican Cathedral, Norwich during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity to form a ‘Chain of Prayer’.  Laurette Burton reports.

All Christian denominations which are members of Norfolk & Waveney Churches Together, as well as independent churches in the city, were represented on January 23.  Participants came from as far afield as King’s Lynn, Gorleston, Woodbridge and even San Francisco, taking or sharing 15-minute slots to pray for Christian unity. 
 
New to this year were representatives of the Catholic Chaplaincy of UEA, pupils from Notre Dame High School and other Churches Together groups.
 
The people of Malta produced the material for the 2020 Service with the title “Unusual kindness”, words used by St Paul in the Acts of the Apostles to describe the hospitality he received after being shipwrecked on the island.  Whilst there he converted many of its people to Christianity.
 
The Rev Julian Pursehouse, Ecumenical Canon, and Chair of the Methodist District, opened the first prayer session at 10am.  As always, there were many different approaches to the prayer sessions which included chanting, singing, meditative reflections, set readings and psalms and silent contemplation.
 
The Norwich Chain of Prayer is organised by the County Ecumenical Officer, Catherine Howe assisted by the Denominational Ecumenical Officers of Norfolk & Waveney Churches Together.  The 2021 Chain of Prayer will be held on Thursday, January 21.
 
Pictured top is prayer led by the UEA Catholic Chaplaincy and, above,  the Rev Julian Pursehouse and, right students from Notre Dame High School, taking part.