Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
2009
Theme: That they may become
one in your hand.
(Ezekiel 37:15-19, 22-24a)
Components
for the 2009 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity and beyond
Revised January 2, 2009
After
the Last Supper, Jesus prayed for his disciples and
thus expressed the deepest desire of His heart:
“That
they all may be one, as You, Father, are one in me, and I in You;
that they also may be one in us, that the world may believe that You have
sent me.” (John, 17:21.) And the Apostle Paul exhorted the early Christian
Church: “I, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live in a manner worthy
of the call you have received, with all humility and gentleness,
with patience, bearing with one another through love, striving to preserve
the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace: one body and one Spirit,
as you were also called to the one hope of your call; one Lord, one faith,
one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through
all and in all.” (Eph, 4:1-6) These words have inspired many Christians
to work for Christian Unity.
The
Roman Catholic Church, as well as many Christian denominations, will celebrate
worldwide the 101st anniversary of the Week of Prayer for Christian
Unity, January 18-25, 2009.
The
focus of this year's Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is on Christians
who are persecuted around the world.
1.
Component I: Preparation during Advent-Christmas-Epiphany season, using
Sacred Scripture to Learn about and Pray for Christian Unity from the first
Sunday of Advent (Nov. 29, 2008 Vigil Mass) until January 17, 2009:
The main texts will be The Gospel of John, Chapter 17 and some other
passages, and various passages from the Epistles of St. Paul on the theme
of unity. Our familiarity with Sacred Scripture is the foundation for dialogue
with our fellow Christians. (See http://smdm-fb.org/ChristianUnity/index.htm.)
3.
Component III: An Ecumenical Prayer and Praise Event, Saturday, January
24, 2009, between 1:00 and 3:30 PM, at Santa Maria del Mar church, with
participation of as many church choirs as possible,
with some songs to be sung in unison by all choirs and everybody, and some
to be sung only by certain choir(s). Mary
Ann Ahearn is in charge.
4.
Component IV: A Keynote Address by Rev. Stephen Bosso on Saint Paul and
the Christian Community, followed by comments and discussion by Pastors
of various Christian Denominations, with participation by the audience
as time permits. Thursday, January 22, 2009, from 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM.
Beyond the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity: Christians United in Community Action
5.
Component V. Let area Christian churches and communities come together
for common social action to alleviate the human suffering caused by
the current economic crisis, in some practical Interfaith Alliance for
the common good, pooling, coordinating, and expanding resources and volunteer
projects? The Santa Maria del Mar's St. Vincent de Paul Society is
our base organization.
6.
Component VI. Let area Christian churches and communities come together
for common environmental stewardship around Earth Day (April 22, 2009
which is the Wednesday after Easter). The Santa Maria del Mar's Stewardship
Committee is our lead organization.
We need as many volunteers as possible. Please contact Chau Phan at phancity@bellsouth.net or 445-6121.