World Day of Prayer

It is with deep gratitude that we recognize the growing power inherent in our World Day of Prayer. The circle of prayer has expanded literally around the world. We have learned the great lesson of praying with, rather than for, our sisters of other races and nations, thus enriching our experience and releasing the power which must be ours if we are to accomplish tasks entrusted to us.
     — 1928 World Day of Prayer Committee

The very first World Day of Prayer service was in 1920. Since that time, World Day of Prayer has expanded to more than 180 countries and regions. It is celebrated annually on the first Friday of March. The purpose of participation is to affirm one's faith, participate in ecumenical prayer, and commit to action and stewardship.

In the United States alone, on March 4, 2005, more than 2,000 prayer services with more than 87,000 participants were held. Offerings in the U.S. totaled more than $300,000. These offerings will be used to provide grants (both domestic and international) supporting agencies and organizations working with women and children in need.

Each year, the World Day of Prayer International Committee selects a country to create and write the prayer service. South Africa is the writer country for 2006. The women on the team from South Africa explain —

We church women of South Africa have chosen the theme "The Signs of the Times." Christians recognize Christ as the true Sign of the times — indeed the Sign of hope for all times — and understand that our faith cannot be separated from worldly surroundings. A healthy dynamic between church and society, as well as between church and state, is essential for the well-being of all three. A great many "signs of the times," both religious and secular, impact our church, society, and state, and these signs often threaten to impede the necessary interaction. For this reason, Christians should remain constantly aware of the signs and endeavor to interpret them correctly, so that thoughts and prayers can be rightly focused (2006 World Day of Prayer Leaders Guide).

There is a U.S.A. committee responsible for developing learning opportunities and Bible Studies in support of this year's theme, as well as distributing the resources. This year an emphasis will be placed upon HIV/AIDS awareness in sub-Saharan Africa. Wonderful resources for all ages are available to assist in this awareness effort.

Visit the website for more information about the history and development of World Day of Prayer at http://www.worlddayofprayer.net. Plan now to participate in World Day of Prayer on March 3, 2006. For more information and to order materials, please contact Liz Calvin at the World Day of Prayer office in 212.870.2466 or by email: wdpusa@churchwomen.org

In addition to World Day of Prayer, Church Women United sponsors two additional ecumenical celebrations each year —May Friendship Day and World Community Day:

May Friendship Day — May 5, 2006
Signs of Growth (written by Young Church Women United)
Celebrating the inter-generational bonds between women, this annual ecumenical event is an opportunity to worship together as well as to hightlight the contributions and gifts of outstanding Christian women in the community.

This year’s theme explores the mentoring relationship portrayed in the biblical story of Naomi and Ruth. Written by representatives from Young Church Women United – an initiative engaging younger women in the mission and heritage of CWU – this service seeks to discern true signs of growth that come from deeper connections and relations between generations. These strengthening bonds nourish and nurture the ability and courage to meet the personal difficulties as well as the larger social injustices that plague women and their families locally and nationally.

This service also celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Fellowship of the Least Coin, a world-wide movement based on the power of prayer and the willingness to set aside just the “least coin” of a country (a penny in the US) to support initiatives that promote peace and reconciliation in families, work places, and governments. With each woman’s prayers and pennies, the efforts of the Fellowship grow, touching the lives of other women throughout the world.

World Community Day — November 3, 2006
Signs of Healing
This day is a true celebration of the gift of diversity. Church Women United has continued the tradition begun in 2002 by sponsoring Interfaith Services biannually. The date is traditionally the first Friday in November, but to accommodate other faiths’ religious practices, you may choose to seek a different time during the month. World Community Day 2006 is an opportunity to reach out to women of different faiths, inviting them to celebrate and worship together in an atmosphere of acceptance and peace. Rev. Dr. Allison Stokes, Dr. Roxanne Gupta, and representatives of the Women’s Interfaith Institute in Seneca Falls, NY, wrote the service. Their reflections will guide us into a new awareness of how diversity can be a blessing.

“Signs of Healing” come when “Signs of the Times” are transformed from a negative to a positive, from threatening to enriching. One sign of the times today is that when we look around everything seems mixed up—families, communities, religions, social roles, even genders, are not what we once knew them to be, but are in turmoil. In World Community Day we seek to find a common ground, an open perspective towards difference itself, that new perspective is connection. By using simple images and ideas ,we make less threatening the very idea of difference. Our logo, designed by Lisa Cowden, expresses the healing theme of the worship service. Here we endeavor to experience a movement from chaos (the flood), to order (the globe), to connection and universal covenant (the rainbow) and finally to peace (the dove).

2008 Ecumenical Women's Conference
Claim A New Vision Together

June 19-22, 2008
Community of Christ International Headquarters
Independence, Missouri

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