If you have ever been to Rome, you will understand why it is sometimes referred to as the 'city of churches'. Many of them are extraordinarily ornate, with incredible architecture. As I visited some last week, I couldn't help but wonder how congregations coped with the burden of looking after such edifices and caring for historically and culturally significant pieces of art, whilst seeking to be a church community that worships God and witnesses to the gospel. I was also moved by the frequent depiction of the Holy Spirit as a dove.
Of course, I wasn't the only member of the Church of Scotland spending time in churches in Rome last week. A few days after I'd looked up at the ceiling in the Sistine Chapel, a very special ecumenical gathering took place there. The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland accompanied Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla on a trip to the Vatican to meet with Pope Leo XIV.
At the very heart of the visit was a time of prayer involving both the Pope and the King, something which has not happened since before the Reformation. It is a good reminder that for all the differences which exist between denominations and which we can wrestle with, there is much which can be shared and celebrated. I have no doubt that what happened in Rome last week happens throughout our parishes and presbytery on a regular basis, as we gather with our brothers and sisters in Christ, and find ways of joining together in prayer and worship. In certain parts of NENI there is a tremendous strength in our ecumenical working and it would be good to share the experience and learning of that more widely.
And on the subject of prayer, the Church of Scotland is organising a day of prayer on 29th November. You will find more details here https://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/news-and-events/news/articles/congregations-are-invited-to-a-church-of-scotland-day-of-prayer and we'll be mentioning in at the Presbytery meeting next week. It would be great to encourage our congregations and people to participate as fully as possible. In all that we are facing at the moment, as a denomination and as a society, there is much to be bringing to God in prayer.
Rev Stella