Brazilian Church Organizes Christian Unity Observance

As the website of the World Council of Churches puts it, "At least once a year, many Christians become aware of the great diversity of ways of adoring God. Hearts are touched, and people realize that their neighbours' ways are not so strange." The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity will be observed around the world this year from January 18 to 25, with a special focus on Brazil. The theme this year is: Jesus said to her "Give me a drink,” from John 4:7. The biblical gesture of offering water to whomever arrives, as a way of welcoming and sharing, is something that is repeated in all regions of Brazil. The proposed study and meditation on the story of Jesus meeting a Samaritan woman at the well is to help people and communities to realize the dialogical dimension of the project of Jesus, which we call the Kingdom of God.

A resource kit, including posters, bulletins, and a formatted order of service, is now available for order directly from The Canadian Council of Churches (CCC) using this form. You may also download the resources from the Week of Prayer webpage (look for them on the right hand menu). 

The Lutheran-Anglican-Roman Catholic Interchurch Committee (LARC) encourages neighbouring parishes of all denominations to mark the Week of Prayer by using or adapting the resources as makes sense for your particular ministry context. LARC also suggests observing the Week of Prayer with shared ecumenical worship, pulpit exchanges, or colloboration on a justice or social service project.