Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2006

 — Jan. 29, 200629 janv. 2006

“Where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them” (Matt. 18:20). The 2006 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity will be observed January 22 to 29, 2006 in many parts of Canada. An international resource kit prepared by the World Council of Churches and the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity is available on our Week of Prayer for Christian Unity webpage. Schedules of worship services and other events can be found there as well.

The worship service from the 2006 WPCU international resource package is available for download in MS-Word format. Adapt this resource in your own settings, and print the service freely in your own church bulletins.

The Biblical reflections for the eight days of the Week of Prayer are a helpful resource for congregations, prayer groups, and individuals. Consider using this resource to guide your pilgrimage this year!

The dates of the Week of Prayer are normally from January 18 to 25 around the world. These dates are chosen because they represent the feasts of two saints significant to our understanding of Christian unity. January 18 is the feast of the confession (or chair) of St. Peter. January 25 is the feast of the conversion of St. Paul. Peter and Paul are understood as representing two competing experiences of Christianity which are reconciled in the gathering at Jerusalem (Acts 15). In a similar way it is understood that Christianity today experiences a multitude of differing expressions of Christianity which are nevertheless ultimately reconcilable.

Canadian observances

In many countries the Octave dates are changed to accommodate local arrangements. In Canada, the dates include the two Sundays upon which, or between which, January 25 falls. Of course, people are encouraged to observe the Octave at whatever time is most appropriate for local circumstances. Some communities have celebrated the Octave at Pentecost, others have chosen an autumn date. Whatever you choose, the resources are available to support your planning.

Further reading

• A Model for Visits to Neighbour Churches during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, an article by Angelika Piché in Ecumenism (no. 151, Sept. 2003).
• A brief history of the Week of Prayer has been prepared by Nicholas Jesson. This text may be freely duplicated in church bulletins or newsletters.

Posted: Jan. 29, 2006 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=201
Categories: Resources • In this article: Christian unity, prayer, WPCU Transmis : 29 janv. 2006 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=201
Catégorie : Resources • Dans cet article : Christian unity, prayer, WPCU