WORLDWIDE unity is the message that will be spread in Okehampton throughout next week. All the churches in Okehampton are joining in the worldwide initiative called 'The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.' The week begins on Friday January 19. There will be a short service in St James Chapel every day at 10am that will be led by members of the different churches in Okehampton. On the morning of Sunday January 20, some of the church ministers will be taking part in a 'pulpit swap' by preaching at other ministers' churches. In the evening of the same day there will be a united service at New Life Church, starting at 6pm. The Rev Stephen Cook, rector of Okehampton, said: 'There are a lot of churches in Okehampton and we are very fortunate that there is such an excellent spirit of unity and co-operation between them. 'We have a working agreement, signed some years ago, in which we pledged ourselves to support and help each other. 'The week of prayer is just one feature of that, there will be several other joint events over the course of the year. Unity between Christians of different backgrounds is very precious and it always comes at the expense of hard work and dedication. 'I am sure I speak on behalf of all my fellow ministers when I say that we are determined to build on the progress that has been made.' The group 'Christians Together in Okehampton' is currently working on a yearbook, featuring all the churches, which will be delivered to every home in Okehampton before Easter.
