The Episcopal Bishop of Easton, Santosh Marray, will lead the celebration of the opening of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity January 18 7:00 p.m. at St. Clement’s Episcopal Church – North Kent Parish, 32940 Maryland Line Road, Massey MD 21650.
Special remembrance will be made of Father Paul Wattson, founder of the Franciscan Society of the Atonement and initiator of the annual observance for Christian unity now carried out across denominational lines throughout the world. Wattson, a candidate for sainthood in the Roman Catholic Church under the name Father Paul of Graymoor, was born and baptized in the North Kent Parish, and was ordained as a deacon to the Episcopal clergy at St. Paul’s Church, Centreville MD.
In keeping with the official theme of this year’s observance, “Reconciliation – The love of Christ compels us,” special emphasis will be placed on the importance of racial reconciliation in our communities.
Participating in the service will be the president of the Kent County NAACP, Bishop Charles Tilghman of Potter’s House Ministries in Chestertown, MD. Dr. John Borelli, a distinguished scholar of the ecumenical movement from Georgetown University, will be the featured speaker. The Society of the Atonement will be represented by Fr. James Gardiner, director of special projects at the Monastery of the Holy Land in Washington, DC.
Immediately following the service all are invited for refreshments and a time of fellowship in the Gettier Parish Hall.