Church packed for prayers (From Leigh Journal)

Church packed for prayers

8:50am Wednesday 10th March 2010 in News By Lesley Richards

WORSHIPPERS from throughout the Leigh area packed into a colourful Kingsleigh Methodist Church to celebrate the annual World Day of Prayer Unity Service.

The service prepared by Christians of Cameroon on the theme "Let everything that has breath praise God" saw the church decorated with fruits available in Cameroon and floral art in green, red and yellow, maps and pictures of Cameroonian life.

The service was blessed by the presence of two young Cameroon men who led the entry procession, and led a verse in French of a Cameroonian song and helped with the traditional Cameroon turbans and long skirts worn by some.

This year's theme was exuberant with many uplifting songs, traditional ones accompanied on the organ by Mrs. Doreen Hayes. Mrs Ursula Lightford skillfully conducted the joint choir.

An inspiring address was given by Mrs Josie Butterworth, wife of the Vicar of Christ Church, Pennington, who asked everyone over 51 to raise their hands, then told them that life expectancy in Cameroon is just that.

She said: “We in UK have an abundance of good things, yet too much is taken for granted: negativity abounds.”

The collection was for the work of the World Day of Prayer movement, for Christian literature societies and for Christian educational projects.