Americas Cup Ecumenical Service Unites Anglicans in Spain

Anglicans from the Costa Blanca and Costa Azahar in Spain have been involved in an Act of Worship in five languages to mark the start of the America's Cup yacht races from Valencia.

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, 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 US race and the importance of their teamwork and high standards.

He told the congregation at the start of the race last Friday: "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," said Monsignor Escudero.

The Rev 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 in Valencia where the races are attracting thousands of visitors each day. He thanked the Bishop of Valencia for taking the initiative to arrange the event and show the common purpose and fellowship between churches working in Spain.