GATHERING TO CELEBRATE CHURCH UNITY

Several Cape Girardeau congregations will gather for a service Sunday evening to celebrate unity among their Christian faiths instead of pinpointing their differences.

The service, which begins at 7:30 p.m. at the United Church of Christ on South Ellis Street, is part of activities for the "Week of prayer for Christian unity." The Rev. J. Friedel, director of Catholic Campus Ministries at Southeast Missouri State University, will be the speaker.

While there might be many people who regularly visit congregations as "church shoppers," it is important for church leaders to come together and say they aren't competing, said the Rev. Phil Curran, pastor of First Christian Church. "It's the same Lord who binds us together and we recognize that no matter where you happen to worship on a given Sunday."

Special music will be provided during the service by a handbell choir from Centenary United Methodist Church and the contemporary/casual choir from First Christian Church. The musical group Voce Festiva, a women's ensemble, also will perform.

"Often we try to make distinctions but we are not that different at all," Curran said.

"At the core, Christ is still the vine and we are the branches."

In Jackson, Mo., the unity service will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Ollie Boyd of Futrell Memorial Church of God in Christ will preach.

The service is sponsored by the Jackson Ministerial Alliance.