The Island's religious community will join forces next month in an unprecedented bid to address Bermuda's social woes.

The Unity of Spirit Conference will bring together a variety of denominations for a four-day forum at the Southampton Princess Hotel.

Chairman of the executive committee Rev. Dr. Goodwin Smith of New Testament Church of God yesterday said the conference was aimed at tackling the Island's social ills. "We are calling together all the churches to address the problems of the Island,'' Rev. Smith said. "The churches of the Island need to come together.

"Individually the denominations have been doing good work but we want to come together and put forth a united front.'' Rev. Smith was joined by fellow committee members -- Bishop Robert Kurtz of the Catholic Church, Rev. Malcolm Eve, presiding elder of the AME Church, Rev.

Neville Smith of Radnor Road Christian Fellowship and Rev. Dr. Vernon Lambe, general overseer of the First Church of God -- in yesterday's call for religious action.

"We are embracing all denominations and hopefully we will forget that we are from different denominations,'' Rev. Smith added. "We are not coming in to teach doctrines and dogmas.'' Bishop Kurtz echoed his colleagues sentiments and pointed out that the conference could help promote racial harmony.

"I am happy to be part of the effort,'' Bishop Kurtz said. "We need to promote racial unity and I hope that my presence will help.'' He said that by having unity among the Island's religious leaders, it would act as an example for their believers and the rest of the community.

The Unity of Spirit Conference will run January 8 through 10 at the Southampton Princess Hotel.

Registration for the conference must be done before December 31. For more information call Gayna Joynes at 292-5214.

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