Media Release
Pilar, Jan 27: In a heartwarming display of faith and togetherness, the All-India Mission Seminary of the Society of Pilar hosted an Ecumenical Fellowship on January 25. This gathering marked the culmination of the ‘Week of Prayer for Christian Unity’ and centred around the theme, ‘There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling’ (Ephesians 4:4).
Such gatherings serve as poignant reminders of the shared faith that binds Christians together, bridging traditional divides among various denominations. This sentiment was expressed by Mathew Samuel, IAS (retd), from the St Thomas Marthoma Syrian Church in Santa Cruz, Goa, who stated, “I think it is very important and necessary for Christians in India to be united and stand up for each other, regardless of denomination, language, or ethnicity. Unity in diversity was the foundational norm of the Indian Republic, and it is ours too.”
The evening commenced with a warm welcome from the rector of the All-India Mission Seminary, who extended greetings of peace to all attendees. The presence of an array of church leaders greatly enhanced the fellowship’s significance. Representatives from St Mary’s Syrian Orthodox Church, St Thomas Marthoma Syrian Church, the Methodist Church, Brethren Assembly, Rupantaran Fellowship Church, Tangkhul Baptist Church, and North-East Baptist Church came together to strengthen the bonds within their communities.
To set the tone for worship and devotion, members of the Rupantaran Fellowship Church performed a heartfelt Devotional Dance, inviting all present to engage in collective prayer and reflection. This was followed by a welcome address from Dr Norman Almeida, rector of the All-India Mission Seminary. In his message, he emphasized the urgent need for fellowship and unity within the church.
As the evening unfolded, music played a pivotal role in fostering a spirit of joy and togetherness. The Gospel songs performed by the Tangkhul and North-East Baptist Church choirs created an uplifting atmosphere that allowed everyone to feel the spiritual synergy emanating from their unified praise. Dr Ida Mukherjee, a parishioner of St Michael the Archangel Church in Talegao, Goa, remarked, “It was a blessed and inspiring evening where members of various churches prayed, sang, and shared together to glorify God Almighty, our Lord Jesus Christ.”
A highlight of the evening was the Reflection on the Word of God, shared by Dr James Samuel from the Brethren Assembly. In his reflection, he stated, “We have all become members through faith in the Lord Jesus. We have different traditions and a diverse heritage; yet we have one Lord, one faith, and one hope of Christ's return. Unity does not necessitate uniformity, or even unanimity.”
The program continued with a series of hymns and prayers led by various choirs representing different churches, each contributing to a rich tapestry of worship filled with sincerity and hope. The prayers of the faithful, offered by the St Thomas Marthoma Syrian Church, further emphasized the communal spirit of the gathering as participants collectively placed their prayers before the Lord.
As the fellowship drew to a close, Pradeep Kumar of the Panjim Methodist Church led a concluding prayer, seeking God’s blessings for the unity and mission of all present. He said, “Moments of prayer, heartfelt sharing, and sincere fellowship broke down walls and healed divisions, allowing us to see one another not as separate groups but as brothers and sisters united in Christ.” The final hymn was sung by members of St Mary’s Syrian Orthodox Church. Daniel Sinu Kurian, one of its members, remarked, “It was a memorable and grace-filled gathering, a blessed and inspiring experience for everyone. I am truly grateful for the spirit of unity, prayer, and fellowship shared by all participating churches and leaders.”
The gathering culminated in a fellowship meal, inviting everyone to continue nurturing relationships and celebrating their shared faith in Christ.