Last Sunday evening, in the tranquil setting of All Saints Church, some fifty or so Christians from all Lymington's major denominations gathered for a short service organised by the Methodists. The Rev Roger Gisborne, after a brief dramatic interlude, persuaded us to think about the unity which Our Lord wanted us to achieve, not by talking about details of doctrine, but through the united action which comes about at local level when folk take the risk and actually do something, by taking on Christ's yoke. In a vigorous and comprehensive appeal for unity he reminded us of the many examples of Christians of different denominations working together to care for the homeless and the needy, instanced Lymington's own Basics Bank, and reminded us that although much was already being done, much more could and should be done in this area. Christians can also unite in bringing hope to those suffering from chronic illness and from loneliness arising from family divisions and from other causes of despair, for they should not be afraid to lift the bringing of the Good News out of its usual denominational socket. Even unity in rejoicing, although difficult to arrange because of limitations in the sizes of venues, has been done with success and is well worth the effort. The Reverend Gisborne's powerful appeal concluded with a call for unity in trust, so that, yoked together with Christ, we may work as in a marriage, trusting in each other. The congregation then united to consume the teas and cakes which had been provided, and to refresh the friendships we have with each other across the denominational boundaries.
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