America's Cup ecumenical service involves Anglicans in Valencia

Anglicans from the Costa Blanca and Costa Azahar (from the South and North of Valencia) have been involved in an Act of Worship in five languages to mark the start of the America’s Cup yacht races from the Spanish city.

The service in Spanish, English, Italian, French and German also included music “a capella” by the Valencian choir “Studium Vocale” and included Bible readings from Job (“from the heart of the tempest”), Philippians and the Gospel of John focusing on facing challenges in unity.

The Roman Catholic auxiliary bishop of Valencia, Monsignor Esteban Escudero presided and spoke of the different competitors in the America’s racing and the importance of their teamwork and high standards. He told the congregation on Friday 15th June 2007 at the start of the weekend when racing begins that “With this example of the growing unity of churches we share together the need to work for heartfelt changes of life, in mutual prayer and love”.

The Anglican congregations – part of the Diocese in Europe offered prayers in English thanking God for the event which “brought together in Valencia a great number of people from many countries, working together and competing with dignity and honesty”.

The Revd. Paul Needle from St. Christopher’s Congregation on the Costa Azahar represented Anglicans in the church of Santa Maria del Mar, on the edge of the Port where the races are attracting thousands of visitors each day. He thanked the Bishop of Valencia for taking the initiative to arrange the event showing the common purpose and fellowship between churches working in Spain.

See the illustrated service cover.