Thursday 3 January 2008

Oadby's Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

2008 is a special year, marking the 100th anniversary of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

The Week of Prayer was first marked by Father Paul Wattson, an Episcopalian Franciscan priest in the USA. The resources have therefore been produced in this centenary year from within the United States of America. The image is from Ground Zero and symbolises the sense of praying for peace and reconciliation, both within the Church and the world.

The aims are:

  • To pray as Christ prayed "that they may be one".
  • To pray for the unity of all Christian people as we share in Christ's ministry.

Readings and meditations focus on Paul's advice to "pray without ceasing". Resources for the week, produced by Churches Together in Britain and Ireland, include a service pamphlet, prayer cards and poster.

The Week of Prayer offers opportunities to meet and pray with fellow Christians of different denominations in your locality. Often new local initiatives emerge out of meeting and praying together in this way.

Churches Together in Oadby is affiliated to Churches Together in Britain and Ireland and as usual we'll be marking the week of prayer for Christian Unity with a series of services:

Friday 18 Jan 6:45pm to 7.15pm at United Reformed Church, Rosemead Drive
Saturday 19 Jan 10am at Oadby Baptist Church, followed by Forum Meeting
Sunday 20 Jan 2008 6:30pm United Service at Oadby Baptist Church
Monday 21 Jan 6:45pm to 7.15pm Church of the Immaculate Conception
Tuesday 22 Jan 6:45pm to 7.15pm Trinity Methodist Church
Wednesday 23 Jan 6:45pm to 7.15pm at St. Peter's Church
Thursday 24 Jan 6:45pm to 7.15pm at St. Paul's (Barnabas Centre)
Friday 25 Jan 6:45pm to 7.15pm United Reformed Church, Rosemead Drive