Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in the northern
hemisphere is traditionally celebrated between 18-25
January, the days between the feasts of St Peter and
St Paul. In the southern hemisphere the celebration is
at Pentecost, a symbolic date for the unity of the church.
The Week of Prayer enters into congregations and parishes
all over the world.
Dear Friends of the ICMA Black
Sea, Mediterranean and Middle East Region:
From 18 to 25 January 2010 we
will celebrate the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. It is
a nice opportunity to pray together with Christian brothers
and sisters form other denominations. As ICMA people, we
should take advantage of this week to underline our
ecumenical spirit.
I attach you a document with
guidelines for the celebrations jointly prepared and
published by: The Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian
Unity and The Commission on Faith and Order of the World
Council of Churches.
In Barcelona, we will meet on
Thursday 21. January with the British Anglican Communion,
the German Evangelical Church, the Roman - and the Russian
Orthodox communities and will pray together.
Perhaps, if you organize some
celebrations, you can send some reports for our next
bulletin.
Best regards,
Ricardo
Regional Coordinator
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Theme 2010: You are witnesses of these
things. (Luke 24:48) |
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Theme 2009: That they may become one in your
hand (Ezek 37:17) |
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The text is jointly published by:
The Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity &
The Commission on Faith and Order of the World Council of
Churches.
Adapting the text
This material is offered with the understanding that,
whenever possible, it will be translated and adapted for use
at the local level. In doing this, account must be taken of
local liturgical and devotional practice, and of the whole
social and cultural context. Such adaptation should normally
take place ecumenically. In some places ecumenical
structures are already set up for adapting the material. In
other places, we hope that the need to adapt it will be a
stimulus to creating such structures.
Using the Week of Prayer material
- For churches and Christian communities which observe
the week of prayer together through a single common
service, an order for an ecumenical worship service is
provided.
- Churches and Christian communities may also
incorporate material from the week of prayer into their
own services. Prayers from the ecumenical worship
service, the ‘eight days’, and the selection of
additional prayers can be used as appropriate in their
own setting.
- Communities which observe the week of prayer in
their worship for each day during the week may draw
material for these services from the eight days.
- Those wishing to do bible studies on the week of
prayer theme can use as a basis the biblical texts and
reflections given in the eight days. Each day the
discussions can lead to a closing period of intercessory
prayer.
- Those who wish to pray privately may find the
material helpful for focusing their prayer intentions.
They can be mindful that they are in communion.
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