SCRANTON – Christians from different churches came together on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, for a special Ecumenical Celebration of God’s Word at the Cathedral of Saint Peter.
The annual prayer service, which took place during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, invited Christians to pray that all followers of Jesus may grow closer together.
The Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of Scranton, served as the Leader of Prayer. Christian leaders from several different traditions also took part, showing that while churches may have differences, they share the same faith in Jesus Christ.
Among those participating this year were Rev. Craig Miller, Bishop of the Upper Susquehanna Synod of the Lutheran Church in America; Most Rev. Dr. Anthony Mikovsky, Prime Bishop of the Polish National Catholic Church; Rev. Dr. Nora Foust, Regional Conference Minister of the United Church of Christ; Rev. Lory D. Ryan of the Presbyterian Church of Mountain Top; and Rev. Scott Sterowski, Diocesan Coordinator for Ecumenism and Interreligious Affairs and pastor of Saint Carlo Acutis Parish.
The Ecumenical Prayer Service was based on worship materials prepared by the Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church.
The gathering began with the Lord’s Prayer. Those present prayed together using the words Christians have shared for centuries: “Our Father, who art in heaven…”
An invocation followed, asking God to guide all Christians toward unity. The congregation then sang “Arise, Your Light Has Come.”
Throughout the service, prayers and readings focused on Jesus as the true Light of the world. While the parts of the prayer service may have been led by leaders from different churches, the gathering was meant to highlight that Christians all share one Lord.
In her homily, Rev. Dr. Foust reminded those gathered that unity is not something people create on their own. She said it is a gift from God.
“We are not the origin of the light,” she said. “Any light we have or give begins with Christ.”
The theme for the 2026 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity was “There is One Body and One Spirit, Just as You are Called to the One Hope of Your Calling” (Ephesians 4:4).
In her remarks, Rev. Dr. Foust focused on living with humility, patience, gentleness, and love – the virtues named by Saint Paul in his Letter to the Ephesians.
“We are not here today because the Church has suddenly solved all its divisions. Indeed, we are living in a time of deep turmoil among Christian peoples,” she added. “We are here because, in Christ, our unity is deeper than our differences.”
The service continued with a responsorial psalm, a hymn, and the profession of the Nicene Creed – words that Christians across the world proclaim together: “Light from Light, true God from true God.”
The Ecumenical Prayer Service ended with closing prayers asking God to help Christians reflect Christ’s light in the world – especially in places of darkness and division.
“Shine the light of your righteousness and wisdom on all your creatures,” Bishop Bambera prayed. “Make us children of light and children of the day, so that we may always live our lives reverently, and become for all the world, worthy lampstands for your life-giving light.”