The last time I attended a Guild Ecumenical Service, it was in the open air on Avenham Park and the heavens opened. So this time, taking no chances, the organisers arranges for it to be in the vast marquee that was on site at Avenham Park and was used for many other events. This marquee was full to almost overflowing with Christians of all denominations intent on praising God and calling down His blessing on the city in this Guild Year.
But this was no ordinary Ecumenical gathering: well, 3,000 people to begin with is far more than is usual at these event. On top of that there were present 7 of the Faith Leaders from the Christian denominations, including Archbishop Nichols of Westminster and the Archbishop of York to mention but two.
This was an enormously powerful witness to just how far ecumenism has come over the last 40 years.
Hymns, prayers, mini-homilies, audio-visuals and dance were the constituent parts of the event, not to mention fellowship and love.