KUCHING: Over a thousand devotees filled the Christian Ecumenical Worship Centre (CEWC) for the Sarawak Day Ecumenical Prayer Service 2024, last night.
This year’s theme, ‘May They All Be One’, was brought to life by the Association of Churches in Sarawak (ACS) and hosted by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese.
The service began with an invocation by Rev Fr Davie Entalai and featured prayers and scripture readings in multiple languages, symbolising Sarawak’s rich multicultural heritage.
“As we commemorate Sarawak Day annually on the 22nd of July, we also come together to pray to God for our beloved state.
“For this year we have chosen the theme, May All Be One, taken from the Gospel of St. John, chapter 17, verse 21.
“Indeed, may we all be one, sacrificed by our love for one another, irrespective of faith, and our love for our homeland, Bumi Kenyalang.
“Above all, let this evening’s fellowship remind us that all things are made possible because God has loved us first,” he said.
The programme also brought together religious leaders from various faiths, including Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, and Baha’i, contributing to the event’s atmosphere of unity and inclusivity.
Bishop Datuk Danald Jude, chairman of ACS, led the opening prayer, while Most Rev Dr Simon Poh of the Roman Catholic Church delivered a reflection.
Prayers were also offered in Mandarin, Tamil, Kenyah, and Bidayuh-Bukar Sadong, highlighting the service’s diversity.
Also present during the prayers was Deputy Minister in Sarawak Premier’s Department (Labour, Immigration and Project Monitoring) Datuk Gerawat Gala, Deputy State Secretary Datuk Buckland Bangik, Batu Kitang assemblyman Lo Khere Chiang and Kota Sentosa assemblyman Wilfred Yap.
