MAY 2009

'March of Witness'

People from the four churches in Moville will come together this Pentecost Sunday for the first ever 'March of Witness' in the town. Rev Eric Lawson, the local Methodist minister, explained that clergy and lay people from the Methodist, Catholic, Church of Ireland and Presbyterian churches will take part in the interdenominational event this Sunday 31st May.

The march will begin at the top of the town outside the Church of Ireland at 3pm and will conclude at the far end of the town with a short prayer service in the Presbyterian Church. "We will begin outside the Church of Ireland where two Catholic lay people will give a short Bible reading and say a prayer. The march, accompanied by song, will then move on to Pius X Catholic church where two Methodist lay people will say a prayer and give a reading from the Bible," said Rev. Lawson.

He outlined how the marchers, carrying a 'Moville March of Witness' banner, will then proceed to the local Methodist manse and hall where another Bible passage and prayer would be read out by two members of the local Presbyterian congregation. Wending its way through Moville main street, the event will conclude at the Presbyterian church where two Church of Ireland lay members will lead the prayers.

Clergy members present on the day will be Moville parish priest, Fr. Paddy O'Kane and curate Fr. Paddy McGoldrick; the Church of Ireland's Canon Harry Gilmore; Presbyterian minister Rev Gilbert Young and Rev Lawson. Rev Lawson said the clergymen would lead a short interdenominational service of prayer and song inside the Presbyterian church to conclude.

"We would like to invite as many lay people as possible to join us on the day," explained Rev Lawson." The purpose of the march is to demonstrate that, while we are from different traditions, we are one body of Christians within the community."

Pentecost is a commemoration of the birth of the Christian church by the power of the Holy Spirit.

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