Churches come together in prayer and song

Palm Coast Observer
Neighbors

EDITOR'S NOTE: Corrected Jan. 24.

About 400 Christians stood in the pews of Santa Maria del Mar Catholic Church Saturday and sang, “We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord, and we pray that all unity will one day be restored. And they’ll know we are Christians by our love.”

The fourth Flagler Churches Together in Prayer and Song, part of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, was organized by Dr. Chau Phan and included performances from the following:

First United Methodist Church of Bunnell Choir
Isis Praderes, Spanish-language soloist on keyboard
Mount Calvary Baptist Church
Linda Osborn, soloist from Palm Coast United Methodist Church
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church Choir
St. Mark by the Sea Lutheran Church Choir
San Sebastian Catholic Church Hispanic Choir,
Santa Maria del Mar Catholic Church Adult Choir
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Philipino Choir, with soloist Em Dinopol

There was also a flute and violin duet, featuring the Rev. Beth Gardner, of First United Methodist Church of Bunnell, and the Rev. Alberto Esposito, of Santa Maria del Mar Catholic Church.

“Chau’s ministry and passion is a great inspiration to me and a great inspiration to the entire Flagler County Community,” Esposito said.

This year marks the 105th year since this practice was started by the Rev. Paul Wattson at Graymoor, in Garrison, N.Y., during the eight days between the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter and the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul. In 1964, the bishops at the Second Vatican Council issued the Decree on Ecumenism, calling prayer "the soul of the ecumenical movement." Since 1968, the World Council of Churches, comprising Orthodox and Protestant churches, and the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity of the Roman Catholic Church, have worked together each year to promote prayer for the unity of all Christians.

At the service, an offering raised $1,919 for Family Promise of Flagler County, a nonprofit which provides means for homeless families with children in Flagler County to regain self-sufficiency and obtain independent and sustainable housing.

Flagler Churches Together is also donating books and videos on Christian Unity/Ecumenism to the Flagler County Public Library. They will be available in February.

Silver Ring Thing
Silver Ring Thing, a free concert-style youth event run by college-aged students, is asking teenagers to begin with the end in mind in their dating relationships, by saving sex for marriage.

SRT will bring their nationwide tour entitled “REWIND” to Palm Coast Community Church 7-9 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 2.

“Our leadership is young, just like the kids we meet,” said Tammy Carter, a 19-year-old first-year member of the team. “People see a bunch of young adults walk in and they kind of wonder where the ‘real’ adults are, but that’s what makes us so cutting edge. It’s been great to see how 13 people our age can change a generation.”

There is no cost to attend the event, however, space is limited and online registrations are highly encouraged. An optional $20 ring will be available for purchase the night of the show.

This event will also include a separate Parent Session beginning at 7 p.m. The 45-minute discussion will provide parents with statistics and talking points to use when talking to their student about sexual activity.

For tickets and more information, visit www.silverringthing.com.