At least once a year, Christians are reminded of Jesus’ prayer for his disciples that “they may be one so that the world may believe” (see John 17.21). Hearts are touched and Christians come together to pray for their unity. Congregations and parishes all over the world exchange preachers or arrange special ecumenical celebrations and prayer services. The event that touches off this special experience is the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.
Traditionally the week of prayer is celebrated between 18-25 January, between the feasts of St Peter and St Paul. In the southern hemisphere, where January is a vacation time, churches often find other days to celebrate it, for example around Pentecost, which is also a symbolic date for unity.
The theme for the week of prayer in 2018, “Your right hand, O Lord, glorious in power” is inspired by Exodus 15:6. The resources for the week have been prepared by members of different churches in the Caribbean.
Geneva, Switzerland:
The Assembly of Churches and Christian Communities of Geneva (Rassemblement des Églises chrétiennes de Genève, RECG) will organize a local celebration for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity at the chapel of the Ecumenical Centre, where the WCC has its offices, on Wednesday 24 January 2018 at 19:00. This will be an opportunity to begin the celebrations of the WCC 70thanniversary year in a prayerful atmosphere. The service will be followed by a reception in the lobby.
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