Christians in West End gather for day of prayer, unity
Do you believe?
This was the simple, yet complex question that the Rev. Bob Simon asked the 20-some attendees gathered Thursday morning at Our Lady Queen of Peace in Brodheadsville.
The annual event is part of the worldwide Week of Prayer for Christian Unity on Jan. 18-25. His church has hosted the event in the West End for church members and leaders from the Pleasant Valley Ecumenical Network for many years.
This question, “Do you believe” is the theme, and it comes from John 11:26.
“This is a moment filled with light, joy and peace,” said Simon during his sermon. “Our gathering today marks the 1,700th anniversary of the Nicene Creed. We remember those days in 325 A.D. when it was adopted.”
The year 325 A.D. marked a significant turning point, where the Church transitioned from a period of martyrdom and persecution to a more openly accepted status. The Council of Nicea was the first ecumenical council of the Church. The creed was formed during this council.
“The Nicene Creed is ultimately a profession of who Jesus Christ is, our oneness with Christ and our confession of one faith,” Simon said.
During the sermon, Simon spoke of the first time he heard the Nicene Creed in Latin years ago in seminary. His professor, who was from Ireland and had a recognizable Irish accent, knew the whole creed in Latin by heart.
“I was mystified listening to the Nicene Creed in Latin,” said Simon. “Those great words expressed like I was in Nicea 1700 years ago.”
In addition to Simon, his colleague Deacon Bob O’Connor, the Rev. Deb Scheffey from Salem-St. Paul Lutheran Church in Kresgeville, and parishioners Barb Soudders and Kathleen Hinton led the service and had speaking roles throughout. Lindsey Blundetto, director of music ministry at Our Lady Queen of Peace, played the piano and led them in song.
Four-year-old Ruth Villanueva was among the crowd, singing along with the hymns and holding a candle later in the service.
“I like to sing about Mary when I come to church and Sunday school,” the youngster said after the service.
She was there with her aunt, Maria Pagan, and grandfather, Manuel Rosario. She aspires to be in the adult choir some day and has been a Star and Angel in recent Christmas pageants.
Tom Campbell, PVEN president, spoke to the crowd about its history and recent expansion.
He shared how during PVEN’s founding 35 years ago, its members asked “do you believe” our services are needed.
As more families reached out for its services, founders asked “do you believe” we need to find a bigger facility? As they moved in and expanded yet again, the founders asked “do you believe?” we can add more resources and personnel.
And now, as one of the tenants prepares to move out and there is a question of where the $30,000 they paid in rent will come from next, the founders and staff are asking “do you believe? once again.
“And each time we asked the question, the answer was ‘Yes.’ That is why we do what we do,” Campbell said.
They began their services — namely food and clothing — at Christ Hamilton United Lutheran and outgrew the space. In 2018, they relocated to their current location along Route 209 in Sciota. They expanded their services and personnel, and began helping people get back in the workforce, find housing and other resources.
“In 2023, we served 3,520 families, and in 2024, we served 3,595 families,” he said.
Clients receive bags of produce, meats, milk, bread, eggs, cereal and other staples.
During the summer, PVEN provides bagged lunches to school-age children, who may not have access to lunch at home over the summer.
Clients have access to racks of clothing, bedding, shoes, hygiene items and household items.