Ecumenical Prayer For Our Common Home
Week Of Prayer for Christian Unity 2022
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.
- Day 1: Raise us up and draw us to your perfect light
- Day 2: Humble leadership breaks down walls and builds up with love
- Day 3: The presence of Christ, turning the world upside down
- Day 4: Though small and suffering, we lack nothing
- Day 5: Guided by one Lord
- Day 6: Gathered in worship around the One Lord
- Day 7: The gifts of communion
- Day 8: Beyond the familiar routes of separation to God’s new paths
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2020 -“They showed us unusual kindness” Acts 28:2

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.
- Introduction
- Day 1: Reconciliation: Throwing the cargo overboard
- Day 2: Enlightenment: Seeking and showing forth Christ’s light
- Day 3: Hope: Paul’s message
- Day 4: Trust: Do not be afraid, believe
- Day 5: Strength: Breaking bread for the journey
- Day 6: Hospitality: Show unusual kindness
- Day 7: Conversion: Changing our hearts and minds
- Day 8: Generosity: Receiving and giving
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
Coffee, Prayers and Spirituality
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:
It’s not too late!!! Three Opportunities with Professor Paul Murray
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
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Enquiries and registrations: Rev Isobelle Shortreed, Ecumenical Ministry Officer
ecumenical@churcheswa.com.au
Lessons from Rwanda
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.
Let your God love you……
Edwina Gateley
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
Preventing violence and HIV pandemic in Nigeria
Jessie Fubara-Manuel shares her views on violence, the HIV pandemic and
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
The Good Shepherd
© 2012 Ken Rookes River of Life, Loddon Mallee Presbytery, Uniting Church