Fifty-five people representing 12 local churches gathered Thursday morning at Queen of Peace for the Prayer for Christian Unity service.

“I think we need to be reminded of our common heritage as Christians. We have a common source of unity. It is Jesus. It’s important that we work together,” said Father Michael Quinnan, pastor of Our Lady Queen of Peace.

Jan. 18-25 is the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, an international ecumenical observation lasting eight days. It began in 1908 as the Octave of Christian Unity and later changed its name, according to www.episcopalchurch.org.

This service was a collaboration by Quinnan, the Rev. Suzanne Brooks-Cope of St. Matthew’s UCC, the Rev. Deborah Scheffey of Salem-St. Paul Lutheran and Pleasant Valley Ecumenical Network’s leadership. Each had a different role throughout the service.

“We sent out invitations to 30 churches. Twelve are represented by attendees. Eight pastors are meeting to discuss ways to encourage Christian fellowship,” said Tom Campbell, board president of PVEN.

The 2019 theme is “Justice, only justice, you shall pursue” and it comes from Deuteronomy 16:20.

The Bible verse states: “Follow justice and justice alone, so that you may live and possess the land the Lord your God is giving you.”

Brooks-Cope shared her faith journey in her sermon. She was raised Presbyterian and went off to college.

As a pre-med student, she heard the gentle knock of God and wanted to serve.

“If I had a conversion experience, it happened on the streets of Baltimore,” she said.

She saw the need for justice for the poor, blind, homeless and ill.

She spent three years working with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps East, which emphasized social justice, simple lifestyle and Christian community. It later added a fourth component, spiritual formation. In 2009, four regional JVC programs and Jesuit Volunteers International united to form the JVC.

“JVC changed my life. One year turned into three,” she said.

The first year, she worked at Mercy Southern, an inner-city health clinic. The second and third years she worked at St. Ignatius Church’ Jesuit Service Center.

“Go to a soup kitchen and shake their hands. Jesus will be among them,” she said. “He tore walls down; he did not build them up.”

Jesus can be anywhere, at any time, said PVEN Executive Director Hope Christman during her Minute for Mission.

On Wednesday, she and an intern were on Main Street Stroudsburg helping Street2Feet do their annual point-in-time count of people who identify themselves as homeless.

“We were talking to this gentleman and I felt Jesus’ presence,” she said.

Similarly, she shared a story of a family who urgently needed PVEN’s assistance on Christmas Eve. They asked for food, and she offered a little more.

“I gave the mother the food and then let her pick out gifts for the children,” she said.

The toys were ones PVEN had collected through the Marine Toys for Tots Program and PVEN’s Angel Tree initiatives.

“The father said, ‘You don’t know what you’ve done for my family,’ ” Christman said.

She replied that the feeling was mutual — that his family had done something good for her, and it would leave a lasting impression.

She encouraged them to reach out for PVEN’s help whenever needed, and said they returned in January.

The service included three hymns played by Queen of Peace organist Lindsey Blundetto and sung by the attendees, Scripture readings, prayer and an offering for the ministry of PVEN.

PVEN has a worship committee that hosts joint services with its member churches throughout the year, including at the West End Fair, Easter and Thanksgiving, Christman said.

“I was very delighted by the service. It was so moving to me. I really like the ecumenical efforts. We need to do more to fill the gap. We have so much in common,” said Forrest Cavalier, a Queen of Peace parishioner and Saylorsburg resident.

The congregation was invited for brunch provided by the Monday Luncheon Crew in the fellowship afterward. It included salad, bread and butter, soup, fruit, beverages and an array of desserts.

After that, the eight pastors from the West End community and PVEN leaders met to discuss the needs of the community.

“We talked about the opioid crisis and the need for children’s activities in the community,” Christman said.

These activities would not be religious, per se, but sponsored by the churches.

“We also answered questions about PVEN. It was a great conversation,” she said.

The group will meet again in July.