A RELIGIOUS service which will make church history in the Isle of Man takes place this weekend when Trinitarian Christian churches of all denominations get together for the "We're One in the Park" celebration.
The event will see leaders of all the Island's Christian religions join together for the first time in a major event when they hold their service on Sunday morning "neutral ground" - the Manx Telecom Bay Festival Tent, donated by Bay Festival promoter Jonathan Irving.
Doors will open at 9am in readiness for the start of the service at 9.30am. Up to 2,000 people are expected to attend this historic service which will include the joint signing of a Covenant for Mission - showing that religions from different backgrounds can all work together for a common cause of peace and religious harmony.
The Covenant makes religious history for the Isle of Man and has been warmly received on the Island and off. Both the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Archbishop of York have given it their full support along with leaders from many other denominations.
A number of non-churchgoers have already said that they are looking forward to this significant event and for those who have not experienced a big, family- friendly worship gathering before this is a great opportunity for all Christians too to come and be ‘One in the Park.’
A spokesman said the event had been planned for some considerable time and "gives the opportunity for all religions to work together on an important joint project whilst still recognising theological and doctrinal differences."
The services starts at 9.30am with a short DVD presentation of Christian history in the Isle of Man and is followed by a mixture of prayers, songs and a drama which has a tongue-in-cheek theme, poking fun at the religious differences that exist between us all in this world today.
Bishop Robert Paterson will conclude the service with a short address before the Covenant of Mission is signed by all the religious leaders present. Copies of the Covenant will be available for people to take as they leave.
