FOUR hundred Christians from 11 churches in Itchen packed Camberlayne Park School last Sunday for a service to launch a Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, and the start of a new millennium.

The event was also the first in a series of joint projects this year, organised by Churches Together in Itchen (CTI), comprising 11 local churches.

Church representatives were given a small candle representing Jesus, the Light of the World.

Event spokeswoman Doris Pratt, a member of the Pear Tree Anglican church, said: "Churches in the area have always welcomed members of other congregations to join them for ecumenical services, but this was the first time all the churches cancelled their normal Sunday morning services and agreed to meet together.

"The worship was very informal. Some hymns were led by the Salvation Army band, while others were accompanied by the worship group of the Pear Tree church.

"It was a real celebration of our faith which people from all backgrounds and all generations could relate to."

The churches plan to meet together again on Easter Sunday morning to greet the dawn on Weston shore, and expect to hold a further united service in Netley Abbey in July.

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