Over 1,000 join Sarawak Day Ecumenical Prayer Service in Kuching

KUCHING (July 19): More than 1,000 people attended the Association of Churches in Sarawak’s (ACS) Sarawak Day Ecumenical Prayer Service here last night.

The service at the Christian Ecumenical Worship Centre, Jalan Stampin began with a welcoming speech by Rev Davie Entalai from the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kuching.

This was followed by the opening prayer led by ACS chairman the Rt Rev Datuk Danald Jute, who is Bishop of the Anglican Church in Sarawak and Brunei.

Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kuching Simon Poh shared a reflection on the theme ‘May They All Be One’ from John 17:21.

During the service, there were prayers for the Head of State, Sarawak government, Premier, Sarawak Cabinet, lawmakers, and those in authority, calling for God’s guidance for them to continue to work harmoniously in upholding religious freedom, justice, liberty, political stability, unity, and social inclusivity.

There were also prayers for peace in the world, as well as for justice and righteousness to prevail in all countries.

The prayers were said in Mandarin by Pastor GT Lim from Sarawak Blessed Church, in Tamil by Capt Kokilavani from Salvation Army, in Kenyah by Sr Emelda Yan from the Roman Catholic Church, and in Bidayuh-Bukar Sadong by Archdeacon Philip Tauk of the Anglican Church.

Bible readings were in Bahasa Malaysia, Iban, Mandarin, Bidayuh Jagoi, and English.

The service ended with a final blessing with all heads of churches led by Danald.

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kuching served as host, while the combined choir was led by Grace Boniface Deyoi, accompanied by pianists Daniel Steven Lugo and Tristian Daley, as well as sape players Jennifer Santan Liman and Isidore Micah.

Among the state leaders present were Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Labour, Immigration and Project Monitoring) Datuk Gerawat Gala, Batu Kitang assemblyman Lo Khere Chiang, and Kota Sentosa assemblyman Wilfred Yap.