In a letter issued today, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) National Bishop Susan C. Johnson encourages individuals and congregations, "to work with our full communion and ecumenical partners and to get involved in the 2016 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity."
The text of the letter follows. A pdf version can be viewed here: https://www.elcic.ca/Documents/201511WeekofPrayerletter.pdf
November 21, 2015
Dear members of the ELCIC,
Every year, between January 18 (The Confession of St. Peter) and January 25 (The Conversion of St. Paul), Christians around the world are invited to celebrate a week of prayer for the unity of all Christians, reflect on scripture together, participate in jointly organized ecumenical services, and share fellowship.
This year, during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, Christians around the world will reflect on what it means to be the people of God, and on how we are called both to proclaim and to respond to God’s activity in the world.
This year’s resources for the Week of Prayer were prepared by an ecumenical team in Latvia and adapted for use in Canada. The theme is “Called to proclaim the mighty acts of God”, inspired by 1 Peter 2:9—You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
I want to encourage you as individuals and as congregations to work with our full communion and ecumenical partners and to get involved in the 2016 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Many communities are already giving expression to such spirited discipleship:
- In Victoria, the University chaplains gather for worship and a noon meal to honour the Week of Prayer.
- In Winnipeg, ELCIC National Office staff gather with the staff of other churches for joint worship and lunch while our MNO Synod partners gather for a week-long festival of prayer.
- In Kitchener, the community gathers for special services at the beginning and end of the week and a six-way Sunday pulpit exchange.
The entire 2016 Week of Prayer starter kit, together with preaching resources, hymn suggestions, Bible Study material and much more, is available from the Canadian Council of Churches at: www.councilofchurches.ca/our-faith/week-of-prayer-for-christian-unity/.
Please consider joining me this year in celebrating the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Lift up, act upon and even take the lead in the celebration of the Week of Prayer in your community.
Already participating in the Week of Prayer? See whether you can expand the circle! Considering something new? Knock on your neighbour’s door and invite them into the journey. You won’t regret it!As we gather to celebrate the Festival of the Reign of Christ, and one church year’s yielding to another, I look forward to your companionship in the journey we share.
Yours in Christ,
The Rev. Susan C. Johnson
National Bishop, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada
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The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada is Canada’s largest Lutheran denomination with 114,592 baptized members in 525 congregations. It is a member of the Lutheran World Federation, the Canadian Council of Churches and the World Council of Churches.
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600-177 Lombard Ave. Winnipeg MB R3B 0W5
204.984.9172
tgallop@elcic.ca
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