Ecumenical Week
Last week, January 20 - January 27, was Ecumenical week. This is a week for Christian churches of all denominations to put aside any differences they may have in theology and come together in worship and prayer.
In Szeged, and to my knowledge across Hungary, Ecumenical Week is celebrated with a worship service every night at a different denomination’s church. A part of the tradition in Szeged is that a pastor from a different denomination is invited to give the sermon each night. For example, a Catholic priest may speak at the Reform church and a Methodist pastor at the Lutheran church and so on and so forth.
While I did not attend every night, due to some of the churches being a little far to walk to as well as being in Budapest for a conference for part of the week, I did get to experience some of the different services.
It was interesting to see the different styles of service, as each church that was hosting would use their own method of worship. Some churches had you stand during the readings, some did not. Some churches used hymnals, some projected music on a wall, and some had choirs singing. One church opened up the opportunity for anyone to say a prayer that was on their heart.
These different styles of worship only helped to bring those of different denominations closer as we can see that we are the same on the moments that truly matter, and the difference can allow for appreciation of a new way to worship.
The last day, three pastors from three different denominations broke bread together as a simbol of community and unity through the consecration of our Lord Jesus Christ. Service was then followed by a gathering in which we all ate food and drank hot wine and tea together.
Ecumenical week was amazing to witness and take part of. To see differences put aside to come together to bring praise to God. My mentor explained to me that the sermons all focused on theology that all denominations agree on, rather than the differenc. The fact that there are enough simularities for 8 days worth of 20 minute sermons shows that Christians across denominations have more in common than often thought.
When it comes to loving and serving God, it is important to remember that God has asked us to love everyone, and that we should put aside our differences to be in community with one another showing God’s love and spreading God’s word.
In Szeged, and to my knowledge across Hungary, Ecumenical Week is celebrated with a worship service every night at a different denomination’s church. A part of the tradition in Szeged is that a pastor from a different denomination is invited to give the sermon each night. For example, a Catholic priest may speak at the Reform church and a Methodist pastor at the Lutheran church and so on and so forth.
While I did not attend every night, due to some of the churches being a little far to walk to as well as being in Budapest for a conference for part of the week, I did get to experience some of the different services.
It was interesting to see the different styles of service, as each church that was hosting would use their own method of worship. Some churches had you stand during the readings, some did not. Some churches used hymnals, some projected music on a wall, and some had choirs singing. One church opened up the opportunity for anyone to say a prayer that was on their heart.
These different styles of worship only helped to bring those of different denominations closer as we can see that we are the same on the moments that truly matter, and the difference can allow for appreciation of a new way to worship.
The last day, three pastors from three different denominations broke bread together as a simbol of community and unity through the consecration of our Lord Jesus Christ. Service was then followed by a gathering in which we all ate food and drank hot wine and tea together.
Ecumenical week was amazing to witness and take part of. To see differences put aside to come together to bring praise to God. My mentor explained to me that the sermons all focused on theology that all denominations agree on, rather than the differenc. The fact that there are enough simularities for 8 days worth of 20 minute sermons shows that Christians across denominations have more in common than often thought.
When it comes to loving and serving God, it is important to remember that God has asked us to love everyone, and that we should put aside our differences to be in community with one another showing God’s love and spreading God’s word.
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