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Week of Prayer For Christian Unity

Oct 16, 2020

An annual celebration to pray for the unity of all Christians.

Christians around the world gather to pray, worship, reflect on scripture and share in fellowship. In the northern hemisphere, the dates for Week of Prayer are held the eight days between the feasts of the confession of St. Peter (January 18th) and the feast of the conversion of St. Paul (January 25th). In the southern hemisphere it is usually held during the Pentecost season. Each year, there is a theme and materials for suggested worship and prayer based on an eight-day cycle.  These materials for Week of Prayer are written by a writing team representative of one country in the world.

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity materials for 2021 were prepared by the Monastic Community of Grandchamp.

The theme that was chosen, "Abide in my love and you shall bear much fruit", is based on John 15: 1-17 and expresses the Grandchamp Community's vocation to prayer, reconciliation and unity in the church and the human family.

Today, the community has fifty sisters, all women from different generations, church traditions, countries and continents. In their diversity the sisters are a living parable of communion. They remain faithful to a life of prayer, life in community and the welcoming of guests. The sisters share the grace of their monastic life with visitors and volunteers who go to Grandchamp for a time of retreat, silence, healing or in search of meaning.

For the eight days of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in 2021, they propose a journey of prayer:

Day 1: Called by God: “You did not choose me but I chose you” (Jn 15:16a)

Day 2: Maturing internally: “Abide in me as I abide in you” (Jn 15:4a)

Day 3: Forming one body: “Love one another as I have loved you” (Jn 15:12b)

Day 4: Praying together: “I do not call you servants any longer … but I have called you friends” (Jn 15:15)

Day 5: Letting oneself be transformed by the Word: “You have already been pruned by the word…” (Jn 15:3)

Day 6: Welcoming others: “Go and bear fruit, fruit that will last” (Jn 15:16b)

Day 7: Growing in unity: “I am the vine, you are the branches” (Jn 15:5a)

Day 8: Reconciling with all of creation: “So that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete” (Jn 15:11)

Please stay tuned as Week of Prayer plans unfold.

Due to COVID-19 this year, Saskatoon celebrations may look different. The circumstances of this pandemic are evolving everyday and this may impact our plans. We will keep you informed on our website, email, social media and in the next Growing Together newsletter.

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