Reconciliation in the midst of brokenness is the practical theme which thousands of Christians are exploring in the UK and across the world, as the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity begins.
Each year the theme for the WPCU is developed by one country which produces outline material that is adapted for use in other parts of the world.
Korea is the selected country for 2009 and they have chosen Ezekiel 37.15-28 and have prepared material to be adapted for local use.
A group of writers for Churches Together in Britain and Ireland (CTBI) has adapted this material, which is available as a free download from their web resources page. This includes an order form to purchase the worship service in a published format. See: http://www.ctbi.org.uk/349/
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity traditionally takes place between 18-25 January but may be observed over a different period. It lasts for 8 days and was originally called an Octave of Prayer. It now involves many millions of people across the globe.
The resources and guides for this year’s Week of Prayer for Christian Unity have been developed by representatives of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Korea and the National Council of Churches in Korea. The production of the material is being supported jointly by the World Council of Churches Faith and Order Commission and the Roman Catholic Church’s Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.
Reflecting the division of their own nation into north and south, the Korean team have based this year’s prayer material on the vision of the Prophet Ezekiel that depicts two pieces of wood, symbolising the two kingdoms into which Israel had been divided.
The prayer for the week draws specifically from Ezekiel 37.15 – 28: "they shall be one in my hand...They will be my people and I shall be their God".
Simon Barrow, co-director the the religion and society thinktank Ekklesia commented: "This annual week of prayer and reflection is an opportunity for Christian people to be reminded of three things: first, that reconciliation begins at home; second, that the Gospel calls its followers to be peacemakers; and third that religion can be used as an excuse for appalling division and wrongdoing - something which people of faith should be at the forefront of challenging."
During this year's Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, Ekklesia is backing a British and Irish speaking tour (http://ekklesia.co.uk/node/8278) by US activist Gene Stoltzfus, the founder and emeritus director of Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT), which is involved in first-hand attempts to 'get in the way' of violence and build peaceful alternatives in many of the world's hotspots, including the Middle East.
"The churches have attracted huge publicity for negative, vituperative arguments about human sexuality," comments Barrow. "Common investment in peacemaking and reconciliation creates a different, positive dynamic and establishes a new set of priorities in an unjust and violent world."
Among the formal ecumenical events taking place during the WPCU is a service marking the retirement of Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor as one of the four presidents of the ecumenical body Churches Together in England.
The service on Thursday will be attended by co-presidents Dr Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury, Commissioner Elizabeth Matear, Free Churches Moderator, and Bishop Nathan Hovhannisian, Primate of the Armenian Church of Great Britain. The sermon will be delivered by Dr Williams.
See also: Simon Barrow, Fear or Freedom? Why a warring church must change is published by Shoving Leopard / Ekklesia, 2008.
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