EDINBURGH (CWNews.com) - Scotland -- traditional home to the liveliest New Year celebrations -- took time out of the party on Sunday when churchmen of all denominations led the nation in prayer.

    At an ecumenical service in St. Giles Cathedral, Edinburgh's Rt. Rev. John Cairns, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, spoke about a bright future.

    "As we enter this new era, make a renewed promise for a renewed society in a new Scotland," he said. "In all our division there has remained unity, in all our darkness there has been light and in all out humility there has been a purpose."

    Cairns was joined by Cardinal Thomas Winning, whose attendance signaled a new start for the churches in Scotland. A decade ago his presence in a Protestant cathedral would have been almost impossible in a country which has been scarred by bitter religious division.

    In his address the cardinal urged people to seek a better, fairer, happier world: "In every century, Christians have been willing to go against the grain of power seeking selfishness; been ready to give up their comfort for the sake of goodness and ready to defend the weak, the humble and the defenseless. Let us go forth to celebrate cheerfully our Heavenly Father's goodness and seek more fervently a better, fairer, and happier world."

    Cardinal Winning also asked every child be allowed to grow in trust and skill and for everyone give in love.

    Princess Anne read from St. Luke's Gospel during the hour-long event which featured prayers, readings, and hymns.

          

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