CHRISTIANS across the area are holding events to mark the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

The event brings together different denominations in an attempt to end disunity in the faith.

In 2013, churches across the world gathered in Korea for the 10th General Assembly of the World Council of Churches to declare that disunity was a “scandal” and that they would go on praying and working for unity.

The week of prayer is traditionally observed from January 18 to 22, the octave of St Peter and St Paul, although some areas observe it at Pentecost or other times.

Among those parishes taking part is Blandford, where members of the seven local churches will meet for a celebration service tomorrow in the church of St Peter and St Paul in the Market Square.

The town’s churches work together wherever possible on matters such as schools, work, events, civic services and an annual Walk of Witness.

The collection from the service will go towards the relief effort in the Philippines.

The rector of Blandford Forum and Langton Long, the Rev Tim Storey, who will shortly be leaving the area, said: “It is a great thing to be able to come together each year and worship and pray together as the united church of the town.”

In Poole, there will be a service for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity tomorrow, 6.30pm, at St John’s Church in Ashley Road, Parkstone.

On Tuesday, January 21, noon, there will be a lunch in honour of the week, at the United Reformed Church, Lytchett Minster, while St Dunstan’s in Upton hosts a lunch on Wednesday 22 at noon.

The churches of Swanage host meetings for shared prayer every day next week at noon, followed by a soup and fruit lunch.

The hosts are St Mark’s (Monday), the United Reformed Church (Tuesday), St Nicholas at Studland (Wednesday), St Edward’s (Thursday) and Emanuel (Friday).