South Belfast churches join in solidarity with "Strangers"
Churches in South Belfast have been invited to come together in a service of inter church worship this Sunday night, 21 June, at 7.00pm in Fitzroy Presbyterian Church, Fitzroy Avenue, on the theme of ‘I was a stranger...'
‘The service will help Christian people to express solidarity with the stranger in our midst as well as sorrow and shame at the racist attacks that have taken place on our community,' explained one of the organisers, the Revd Wilfred Orr, Minister of Newtownbreda Presbyterian Church.
Giving the address will be former Presbyterian Moderator Dr Ken Newell while representatives of the Church of Ireland, Methodist, Roman Catholic and City Church will also be taken part. Belfast's Lord Mayor, Cllr Naomi Long will attend and other public and representative figures have been invited.
‘After the dreadful events that have taken place on the streets of our community we hope this service will strike a positive note, both celebrating the rich Biblical heritage of making a place for the foreigner and articulating our care and compassion for all who are part of our local community,' added Mr Orr.
In advance of the service, the Church of Ireland Bishops of Connor and of Down & Dromore, the Rt Revd Alan Abernethy and the Rt Revd Harold Miller, said, ‘It is important we stand together as a Christian city to reject racism in words and deeds and show solidarity with the stranger in our midst as Christ would have us do. We want people of every race and nation to know that they are welcome among us, as people from this place have been welcomed all round the world. It is vital to work across the community to ensure their protection at this time.'
Image courtesy of Embrace NI http://www.embraceni.org/