Christians Uniting in Song and Prayer (CUSP) grew out of the Reformation 500 Holland observances held in October 2017.
Transition from Reformation 500 Holland to CUSP
On October 31, 2017 (Reformation Day of 2017) the committee that organized the Reformation 500 Holland events called together area pastors and interested lay persons who had given substantive input into our planning in the months leading up to the Reformation 500 events. The theme we set for our meeting was “Reformation 500 and Beyond.” Present were several who were moved by the rich experience of worshipping together with fellow Christians separated by the institutional divide that opened up between Protestant and Catholic beginning in the sixteenth century. We posed the question: “Did we conceive of the events which drew together these separated Christians in the greater Holland area as a one-off, or as a movement in embryo with the potential to promote our unity further?” One shared his sense that the Spirit must be doing something new among us, given the unprecedented level of cooperation among the Catholics and Protestants who made the events possible. This observation stimulated a lively discussion and soon a consensus emerged that Reformation 500 Holland should go forward, building on the momentum generated by what we experienced together in October.
Encouraged by our new mandate, we resumed our monthly meetings. We realized our task now was to clarify our identity as a movement. We noted that in the present moment characterized by deep divisions among peoples across our nation, many movements have been forming to address the need to heal our fractured communities. We decided we certainly want to welcome and support them as we are able, but at the same time seek to work within our own competencies. We therefore resolved to make worship our primary focus. Further discussion about who we are and what we can contribute to the cause of Christian unity for the sake of the churches and the greater Holland community resulted in a new name, Christians Uniting in Song and Prayer, and mission statement:
On October 31, 2017 (Reformation Day of 2017) the committee that organized the Reformation 500 Holland events called together area pastors and interested lay persons who had given substantive input into our planning in the months leading up to the Reformation 500 events. The theme we set for our meeting was “Reformation 500 and Beyond.” Present were several who were moved by the rich experience of worshipping together with fellow Christians separated by the institutional divide that opened up between Protestant and Catholic beginning in the sixteenth century. We posed the question: “Did we conceive of the events which drew together these separated Christians in the greater Holland area as a one-off, or as a movement in embryo with the potential to promote our unity further?” One shared his sense that the Spirit must be doing something new among us, given the unprecedented level of cooperation among the Catholics and Protestants who made the events possible. This observation stimulated a lively discussion and soon a consensus emerged that Reformation 500 Holland should go forward, building on the momentum generated by what we experienced together in October.
Encouraged by our new mandate, we resumed our monthly meetings. We realized our task now was to clarify our identity as a movement. We noted that in the present moment characterized by deep divisions among peoples across our nation, many movements have been forming to address the need to heal our fractured communities. We decided we certainly want to welcome and support them as we are able, but at the same time seek to work within our own competencies. We therefore resolved to make worship our primary focus. Further discussion about who we are and what we can contribute to the cause of Christian unity for the sake of the churches and the greater Holland community resulted in a new name, Christians Uniting in Song and Prayer, and mission statement:
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CUSP Mission Statement
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In the crucified and risen Christ we are reconciled to God and to one another. This is at the heart of the Christian message to which the Church is called to give witness in the world. Deep and painful divisions among its members today, however, obscure this message and therefore compromise its witness.
Out of a shared commitment to overcome these divisions, Christians Uniting in Song and Prayer (CUSP) was formed. Located in the Holland community, we are a fellowship of Protestants and Catholics convinced that Christians joining in public assembly to sing and pray together can help to restore and promote our unity. Our conviction is rooted in the acknowledgment that Christian unity is both gift and task. In celebrating together our common faith, we recover a vision of the inestimable gift that God has granted to us in Christ. Renewed thereby in our appreciation of this gift, we go out energized to take up the difficult task of reconciling with fellow Christians whose differences keep us separated.
Out of a shared commitment to overcome these divisions, Christians Uniting in Song and Prayer (CUSP) was formed. Located in the Holland community, we are a fellowship of Protestants and Catholics convinced that Christians joining in public assembly to sing and pray together can help to restore and promote our unity. Our conviction is rooted in the acknowledgment that Christian unity is both gift and task. In celebrating together our common faith, we recover a vision of the inestimable gift that God has granted to us in Christ. Renewed thereby in our appreciation of this gift, we go out energized to take up the difficult task of reconciling with fellow Christians whose differences keep us separated.
Coming Events
- Hymn fest -- 3:00 PM on September 30, 2018 at the Holland Civic Center
- Annual prayer service on the Sunday before Thanksgiving Day ( 5:00 PM on November 18, 2018 at St. Francis de Sales Church)
- Annual prayer service on the Sunday during the week of Prayer for Christian Unity (January 20, 2019 at St. Francis de Sales Church)
