Our Lady Queen of Peace Church in Brodheadsville hosted a special service to mark the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, featuring scripture, music and powerful messages that foster collaboration among local churches.

The service, held Thursday morning, welcomed parishioners and community members from various denominations. A light luncheon in McCawley Hall followed.

The Rev. Bob Simon, pastor of Our Lady Queen of Peace, began the service, which the church has hosted for many years.

A sermon was delivered by the Rev. Ann Melot, pastor of Zion United Lutheran Church in Brodheadsville. She also represented the Pleasant Valley Ecumenical Network at the service.

In her sermon, Melot highlighted the ongoing divisions within society and the church, drawing attention to people’s tendency to focus on differences rather than unity.

“Even before the Gospels were written, there were divisions in the early church,” she said.

“Today, we face a polarized society where strong opinions can easily lead to separation. Our unity serves as a powerful witness during these challenging times.”

Speaking about unity, Melot urged collaboration across denominations and congregations, regardless of nationality, ethnicity or tradition.

“The call for unity is found throughout Scripture,” she said, emphasizing the role of the Pleasant Valley Ecumenical Network in bridging gaps between different faith communities.

Tom Campbell elaborated on PVEN’s mission, which has evolved over the years to provide ongoing support for families in need. Initially focused on crisis response, PVEN recognized the importance of helping families identify their longer-term needs beyond immediate assistance.

“We’re only solving little pieces of problems on our own,” said Campbell, the organization’s president. “Working together allows us to do so much more.”

Under Campbell’s leadership, PVEN has successfully expanded its services to include not only a food pantry and clothing closet but also counseling and partnerships with other organizations. The collaborative approach has allowed the organization to address both immediate and long-term challenges for the community, exemplifying a lived commitment to Christian unity.

The service Thursday included traditional prayer hymns, allowing attendees to join in song and celebrate their shared commitment to unity, hope and service. As communities continue to face challenges, the words of Melot made the mission of PVEN clear: “May we celebrate our diversity and work together for the good of all.”

For more information about the Pleasant Valley Ecumenical Network and its services, visit its website, https://pven.net/.