Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2023

Posted on May 21, 2023 by Simone Micke

2023 Theme:   Learn to do good                                          

In the Scripture passage chosen for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2023, the prophet Isaiah teaches us how we are to cure these ills.

Learning to do right requires the decision to engage in self-reflection. The Week of Prayer is the perfect time for Christians to recognize that the divisions between our churches and confessions cannot be separated from the divisions within the wider human family. Praying together for Christian unity allows us to reflect on what unites us and to commit ourselves to confront oppression and division amongst humanity.

The prophet Micah points out that God has told us what is good and what God requires of us: “to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God” (Mic 6:8). To act justly means that we have respect for all persons. Justice requires truly equitable treatment in order to address historic disadvantage based on “race”, gender, religion and socioeconomic status. To walk humbly with God requires repentance, reparations, and finally reconciliation.

God expects us to unite in a shared responsibility for equity for all God’s children. The unity of Christians should be a sign and foretaste of the reconciled unity of the entire creation. However, Christian division weakens the force of that sign, serving to reinforce division rather than bring healing to the world’s brokenness which is the Church’s mission.

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2023 in Southern Hemisphere usually takes place the week leading up to Pentecost Sunday (based on the western calendar).   We have compiled a series of reflective videos from the resources provided by World Council of Churches. 

Each day we will post a link for the 8 days of reflections as well as on our FACEBOOK  and TWITTER page. Click on the link below and it will take you to a reflection video on our YOUTUBE channel. Thank you to everyone who contributed toward making these videos. We hope you enjoy listening to the reflections and feel free to share with family, friends, members of your church.

Day 1:  Learning to do the right thing

Day 2:  When Justice is done

Day 3:  Do justice, love mercy, walk humbly

Day 4:  Look, the tears of the oppressed

Day 5:  Singing the Lord’s song, as strangers in the land

Day 6:  Just as you did it to one of the least of these….you did it  to me

Day 7:  “What is now, does not have to be”

Day 8:  The justice that restores communion

Walk of Witness

Join us on Saturday 27 May 2023 in the city for the Walk of Witness starting at St Georges Anglican Cathedral – details HERE

 

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Week Of Prayer for Christian Unity 2022

Posted on May 30, 2022 by Simone Micke

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2022

“We have seen his star in the East and come to worship him” Mt 2:2

The Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and the Faith Order Commission of the World Council of Churches  had entrusted the Middle East Council of Churches based in Beirut, Lebanon, with the task of choosing the theme and preparing draft texts for the Week of Prayer 2022. They chose the theme, “We have seen his star in the East and have come to pay homage to him” (Mt 2:2). More than ever, in these difficult times, we need a light that shines in the darkness and that light, Christians proclaim, has been manifested in Jesus Christ.

In a region of the world where human rights are habitually trampled underfoot by unjust political and economic interests, in the face of an unprecedented international health crisis and bearing the human and material consequences of the serious explosion that devastated Beirut on August 4, 2020, the local ecumenical group nevertheless made every effort to present the results of its work by participating in the online meetings. We thank them wholeheartedly and pray that greater unity among Christians in the Middle East and around the world may contribute to a more dignified, just and peaceful life for all men and women in our time and in the times to come.

The Christians of the Middle East offer these resources for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity conscious that the world shares many of the travails and difficulties that they experience, and yearns for a light to lead the way to the Saviour who can overcome darkness. The COVID-19 global pandemic, the ensuing economic crisis, and the failure of political, economic and social structures to protect the weakest and most vulnerable, have underlined the global need for a light to shine in the darkness. The star that shone in the east, the Middle East, two thousand years ago still calls us to the manger, to where Christ is born. It draws us to where the Spirit of God is alive and active, to the reality of our baptism, and to the transformation of our hearts.

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2022 in Southern Hemisphere usually takes place the week leading up to Pentecost Sunday (based on the western calendar).   We have compiled a series of reflective videos from the resources provided by Eastern Council of Churches, Lebanon and the World Council of Churches. 

Each day we will post a link for the 8 days of reflections as well as on our FACEBOOK  and TWITTER page. Click on the link below and it will take you to a reflection video on our YOUTUBE channel. Thank you to everyone who contributed toward making these videos. We hope you enjoy listening to the reflections and feel free to share with family, friends, members of your church.

 

 

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Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2020 -“They showed us unusual kindness” Acts 28:2

Posted on May 24, 2020 by GenSec

Today, Sunday 24 May 2020 is the start of Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. The materials for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity have been prepared by the Christians Together in Malta.

We have compiled a series of daily reflections using the resources from Christians Together in Malta through World Council of Churches and Churches Together in Britain & Ireland.

Each day we will post a link for the 8 days of reflections as well as on our FACEBOOK page. Click on the link below and it will take you to a reflection video on our Youtube channel.

Events for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity are:

24 May 2020 3pm (EST) – Ecumenical Service of Worship Click HERE to join.

30 May 2020 2pm (WST) – Ecumenical Hour of Prayer presented by the Focolare Movement – Click HERE to Join

31 May 2020, 5pm (WST) Hosted by Prayer Together in WA streaming live on their website, join HERE

RESOURCES:

 

 

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Coffee, Prayers and Spirituality

Posted on August 7, 2012 by GenSec

Spirituality and Energy Security – Mr Andrew Pickford, Managing Director, ISSA Indo-Pacific

As a consultant and researcher in the field of energy, Andrew Pickford will discuss the spiritual considerations of energy. This talk will cover topical matters around our energy use and conservation, such as the ‘rationing of energy’, as well as philosophies behind political decisions related to associated infrastructure. For example, the talk will examine the values and beliefs which guide how we consume electricity. Crucially, it will ask what value our society places on energy and whether this is any different to other civilisations and periods of history.  Plunger coffee, prayers, and a presentation, with an opportunity for questions and discussion.

Time: 9.30am – 11.30am.

Venue: Friends’ Room, Lower Burt Memorial Hall, 38a St Georges Terrace.

Entry: $5.00, including coffee or tea, and muffins.

Please book your place so that we can cater for you and ensure everyone has a seat. Registrations must be with Bishop Murray by the Monday before the event you are attending. Phone 9325 5766 or email:

david.murray@perthcathedral.org

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It’s not too late!!! Three Opportunities with Professor Paul Murray

Posted on July 4, 2012 by GenSec

Professor Paul D Murray is a lay Roman Catholic systematic theologian in the Department of Theology and Religion at Durham University.  He also directs a series of research projects in Receptive Ecumenism which have received international attention. Receptive Ecumenism and the Local Church involves all the major Christian denominational groupings in  asking how they each might fruitfully learn from the others in relation to matters of organisational culture, structure and process.

Saturday 14th July      10.30—3.30 “Introducing and Developing Receptive Ecumenism”

St Peter’s & Emmaus Anglican/Uniting Church, 56 Green Street JOONDANNA

Cost:$25.00 (Includes Morning Tea and Lunch)

This session will introduce and explore the basic thinking behind and strategy of Receptive Ecumenism and what is distinctive about it; inform about the English regional project and invite reflection on how all of this could apply in our own context.­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­______________________________________________________________________________________

 

Sunday 15th July 10.30 – 11.30 am

CCWA INAUGURAL ECUMENICAL LECTURE

St Denis Catholic Church60 Osborne Street JOONDANNA

Mass 9.00am – All Welcome­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­

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Sunday 15th July 7.00 for refreshments and 7.30 start

“Reception as a Spiritual Discipline”

            Dayspring Centre for Christian Spirituality 68 Waverley Street, Dianella

Part of the Dayspring “On the Edge” Series

Cost:  $10.00 at Venue

______________________________________________________________________________________

Enquiries and registrations:                 Rev Isobelle Shortreed, Ecumenical Ministry Officer

                                                            ecumenical@churcheswa.com.au
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Lessons from Rwanda

Posted on June 18, 2012 by GenSec

Governor of WA opening the Lessons from Rwanda Exhibition

This “Lessons from Rwanda” exhibition presents an account of the events  that took place before, during and after the genocide in Rwanda in 1994. Its purpose is to raise awareness of lessons learned from these events, the work of the  International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and other judicial mechanisms in ending impunity, and the lasting impact of genocide on survivors.

This important exhibition marks the start of Refugee Week and is open at the State Library untill June 24th.  Admission is free.

 

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Let your God love you……

Posted on May 8, 2012 by GenSec

Edwina Gateley

Let Your God Love You

Be silent.
Be still.
Alone.
Empty
Before your God.
Say nothing.
Ask nothing.
Be silent.
Be still.
Let your God look upon you.
That is all.
God knows.
God understands.
God loves you
With an enormous love,
And only wants
To look upon you
With that love.
Quiet.
Still.
Be.

Let your God—
Love you. Continue reading →

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Preventing violence and HIV pandemic in Nigeria

Posted on April 23, 2012 by GenSec

Jessie Fubara-Manuel shares her views on violence, the HIV pandemic and

Jessie Fubara-Manuel from the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria.

struggles of women in churches to become part of the solution in Nigeria. She is a Presbyterian elder, a poet and a human resources consultant and has been involved with the World Council of Churches (WCC) Ecumenical HIV and AIDS Initiative in Africa (EHAIA) programme.

 

How do you see the HIV pandemic affecting communities in Nigeria?

In Nigeria today, we still have alarming numbers of persons testing HIV positive as we work toward the elimination of HIV infections, discrimination and HIV related deaths. With a large number of people still dying from the disease and the government’s efforts to provide free antiviral drugs being thwarted by the corruption in the system, worry about the disease has taken a new dimension. Continue reading →

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The Good Shepherd

Posted on April 23, 2012 by GenSec

 

Gospel writer John
loved a good agricultural metaphor;
(were there many other kinds
in a pre-industrial age?)
Jesus, lover of people,
welcomer of ratbags
and friend of troubled souls;
likens himself to a shepherd
who cares only for the welfare of his sheep.
Animal rights proponents would love him
because he reckons the life of the human shepherd
to be more expendable
than those of his ovine flock.
But we all know that it’s not about sheep.
It is about people,
individuals like you and me,
who, we are assured,
are loved and valued,
watched over and cared for
by the one he calls Father.
Furthermore, the metaphor implies,
we are all part of something bigger,
joined into one huge flock
of disparate humankind;
each member of which
is also loved and respected,
cared for and wept over
by that same Father;
and expected to do the same

© 2012 Ken Rookes River of Life, Loddon Mallee Presbytery, Uniting Church

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Five Leaf Eco Awards – Associate Member CCWA — Presentation Ceremony

Posted on April 12, 2012 by GenSec

You are invited to come and see the presentation of the first ever environmental awards for churches in Western Australia.   Hear about how WA churches have been greening their buildings, worship, congregations, outreach and community leadership.  Celebrate with churches from multiple traditions as they join others all over Australia in being recognised for their dedication to caring for God’s creation and our environment.   Learn more about the Five Leaf  Eco-Awards program and how your church can be involved.

Saturday, 12 May,  St Luke’s Anglican Parish, 20 Monument St Mosman Park,  4.00pm for a 4.30pm start.

Please RSVP to Jessica Morthorpe on fiveleafecoawards@gmail.com or call 0409 503 369 before 4 May.

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