Derry pupils come together to celebrate Christian Unity Week

Wednesday night last saw a beautiful Interdenominational Service for Christian Unity as part of the 30th birthday celebrations of the north-west’s only Integrated College at Oakgrove when a capacity attendance shared in prayer and worship.

The event, a collaboration between Oakgrove Integrated College and The Corrymeela Community, was led in prayer by Rev. Dr. Alexander Wimberly, leader of the community.

It was planned to focus on the close of the Octave of Prayer for Christian Unity.

Hosted in the school’s assembly hall, pupils and staff from Oakgrove College, St. Joseph’s Boys School and St. Mary’s College were joined by staff from Longtower PS, St. Patrick’s PS, Oakgrove PS and other primary schools as well as members of the local community in the service.

Corrymeela is a movement of people based in Ballycastle, overlooking Rathlin Island, who rally around one inspirational idea that ‘Together is better’.

Founded in 1965 by Ray Davey, John Morrow and Alex Watson, they seek to aid individuals and communities who’ve suffered through the violence and polarisation of the Northern Irish conflict.

Members of the Board of Governors of Oakgrove Integrated College. pictured at Wednesday’s event.

Every year the group welcome over 8,000 people from all walks of life into their programmes in communities and schools around Northern Ireland.

Oakgrove Integrated College was opened by parents in 1992 in the hope of promoting reconciliation by educating together young people from different backgrounds.

Speaking after Wednesday’s successful event, Acting School Principal, Mr. John Harkin said: “It was an honour to host Corrymeela in our school.

Staff and students from St. Joseph’s Boys School taking part in Wednesday’s event.

“Throughout our 30-year history, some of our most powerful experiences in integration happened with the support of The Corrymeela Community. Our anniversary is about celebrating the journey to reconciliation in Northern Ireland.

“At our service, we prayed together in thanks for all the friendships between Protestant, Catholic and other.

“We took time out together to remember that we must humanise, not categorise.”

Mr. Brendan McGinn, Principal, and Ms. Roisin Rice, Vice Principal, St. Mary’s College pictured with Year 14 students Shannon, Leah, Lucy and Tara at Wednesday’s Interdenominational Service for Christian Unity at Oakgrove Integrated College.

Mr. Harkin also thanked Rev. Dr. Alexander Wimberly and his Corrymeela group for coming along to share their experience and take part in the prayer and workshop event.

And he concluded by appealing to past pupils to get involved in this year’s litany of celebration events, adding: “Oakgrove’s programme of activities for its 30th anniversary continues throughout 2023 and if you would like to be involved, please contact the school office on (028) 71860443 and we would be delighted to hear from you.”