In Nicaea 1700 years ago, the Christian churches came together at the Council of Nicaea to confirm and promulgate a common Christian creed, a declaration of unity in faith.  In St Andrew’s Cathedral on 22 June, Glasgow Churches Together (GCT) held a service to commemorate and celebrate this foundational event.

The weather wasn’t brilliant but members of the various Christian denominations comprising GCT were nevertheless present to confirm that strong element of unity in faith.  They were supported by the St Mungo Singers and the St Mungo Ensemble.

The readings chosen for the service highlighted the importance of faith in the Gospels, with the readings from St  John’s Gospel telling of St Martha’s declaration of faith at the tomb of Lazarus, and that of “Doubting” Thomas after the resurrection.

In his reflection, Captain Les Heal of the Salvation Army pointed out that at the heart of the readings was the question “Do you believe this?”.  This too was at the heart of the discussions at Nicaea. Jesus’ words were not spoken in challenge but in love and invitation, and at Nicaea there was the desire to develop community and belief in the scattered church communities of the time.

This celebration, he said, reminds us of the gift of faith, and this significant moment of shared history for the churches really is important.  The Creed of Nicaea continues to be of importance to our faith.  It points towards the strength of unity in diversity.  Our shared faith enables us to draw strength in these troubled times.  We now need to contribute to change in these polarised times, to give witness and share with our world the reality of Christ.

As we digested the challenge from Captain Les, the Ensemble played Highland Cathedral. Then we came to the centrepiece of the service: the proclamation of the Nicene Creed which was read in Latin and Urdu before the congregation proclaimed it together in English. The St Mungo Singers then sang the beautiful and appropriate Taizé hymn There is One God, One Faith, One Baptism.

The service ended with prayers of intercession, the praying of the Lord’s Prayer and the final hymn, the joyous God, We Praise You.

Needless to say, the St Mungo Singers and the Ensemble finished the celebration by retiring to a local restaurant for a meal and a toast to Nicaea