On a cold January evening, Christians from across the community gathered at Holy Redeemer Church for the annual Prayer for Christian Unity, sponsored by the North-East Ministerial Association.

Pastors and ministers from various denominations shared Scripture readings before Bishop Thomas Dowd offered a warm and insightful homily on ecumenism and Christian unity.

Bishop Dowd opened with heartfelt gratitude: “It’s a real honour for me to be with you this evening. And it warms my heart to see so many of you coming out on a really cold night to pray for Christian Unity.”

​He explained ecumenism in simple, relatable terms, describing it as “Christians from different denominations and faith backgrounds nonetheless working together to try and build what Christ desires for His Church.”

​Reflecting on the world around us, he noted, “Would we say that the world is more united in 2026 than it was in 2025 or 2024? … Maybe we’re not moving in the right direction.”

Unity, he reminded us, is ultimately a grace: “We have to be open to that grace… sometimes the very act of asking unlocks the key of our heart to receive God’s gift.”

​He also highlighted the roots of the ecumenical movement, which began around 1910, emphasizing the need for “genuine unity — not just of doctrine but of heart.”

Enjoy photos from this joyful gathering.

And take a momento to view the video of Bishop Dowd’s full homilhy – a clear, heartfelt exploration of what “Christian Unity” and  “Ecumenism” truly means.

It’s time well spent!