From Jan. 18 to Jan. 25, Christians all over the world are reminded of Jesus’ prayer for his disciples that “they may be one so that the world may believe” (see John 17.21). Hearts are touched and Christians come together to pray for their unity, holding special ecumenical celebrations and prayer services during the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

Message from Bishop Mark Hagemoen – LINK

Prayer service from World Council of Churches (PDF) – English / French

Local events during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity can be found at rcdos.ca/wpcu-2023 and include:

Eight-Day Bible Study

“Do good; seek justice” (Isaiah: 1:17)

The Prairie Centre for Ecumenism in Saskatoon and the Regina Council of Churches will once again be offering an eight-day online Bible study on the theme of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

Each day will be led by a different Christian leader from across Saskatchewan Jan. 18 to 25 held from 12:15 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. each day except Sunday, Jan. 22, when it will begin at 3:00 p.m.

Free registration required by using this link to join by Zoom:  https://bit.ly/WPCU-2023-Bible-Study

This Bible Study series will also be available on YouTube at PCE YouTube Channel

Schedule:

• Wed, Jan 18 – Rev. Brody Albers, Anglican, Christopher Lake
• Thu, Jan 19 – Rev. Dr. Kathleen James-Cavan, United Church, Saskatoon
• Fri, Jan 20 – Major Al Hoeft, Salvation Army, Regina
• Sat, Jan 21 – Pastor Rachel Wallace, Mennonite, Eigenheim
• Sun, Jan 22 (at 3 pm)– Deacon Harry Lafond, Roman Catholic Diocese of Prince Albert
• Mon, Jan 23 – Dave Feick, Micah Mission, Saskatoon
• Tue, Jan 24 – Rev. Keitha Ogbogu, Free Methodist, Calgary
• Wed, Jan 25 – Rev. Dr. Ali Tote, ELCIC, Saskatoon

The 2023 theme for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, “Do good; seek justice” (Isaiah 1:17), was prepared by the Minnesota Council of Churches. The themes for each day should be familiar to everyone who lives in Canada. The issues facing the churches in the United States affect us because of their proximity to our borders and as they relate to our present situation in Canada. Although Canadians often speak of building a diverse, inclusive, and just society, we know that racism is deeply embedded in our society and that we have seen great violence against people of colour and against ethnic and religious minorities. As we undertake these Bible studies, let us bring the honest questions and reflections that come when the light of the gospel illuminates the truth of both our past and our present. As we seek greater unity, may it be in service to the love and justice God has revealed in Jesus.

De Margerie Series for Christian Reconciliation and Unity

“Ecumenical Log Drivers: Forming Agents of Reconciliation for Church and World”

The 2023 De Margerie Series on Christian Reconciliation and Unity will feature speaker Rt. Rev. Bruce Myers, OGS (Anglican Bishop of Quebec).

In the past century the ecumenical movement has made extraordinary efforts in healing the wounds of division in the church. However, despite efforts to educate and inspire successive generations of Christian leaders about the quest for the church’s visible unity, an ecumenical malaise has set in which ignorance, fear, mistrust, suspicion, stereotypes, caricatures, recrimination, anathematization—even persecution continue in the relations between divided churches. Drawing on decades of reflection on ecumenical reception and formation, Bishop Myers presents an approach to teaching the practical and theological aspects of ecumenism in a way that is both holistic and pragmatic and offers the potential to raise up a new generation of church leaders who are also agents of reconciliation and Christian unity.

Dates, times, locations for the 2023 De Margerie lectures:

      Wednesday, Jan. 18, 7:00 pm at Campion College, Regina

      Thursday Jan. 19 at 7:00 pm at St. Thomas More College, Saskatoon

These are two different lectures, which can be attended in-person OR viewed on video online at:  https://youtu.be/DaxTcC9qeoE. Please plan to view or attend both.

About the Speaker – Bishop Bruce Myers has been Anglican bishop of Quebec since 2017. Raised on a farm in Glengarry County, Ontario, he studied at the University of Toronto before a decade as a parliamentary correspondent in Ottawa and Quebec City. He completed his theological studies at McGill University, Montreal Diocesan Theological College, Bossey Ecumenical Institute, and the University of Geneva. He has recently completed a doctor of ministry at St. Paul University in Ottawa. He is a professed member of the Order of the Good Shepherd, an international community of Anglicans who share a common rule of life. Before election as bishop, he served parishes in Quebec City and the Magdalen Islands, and as Coordinator for Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations for the Anglican Church of Canada.

The De Margerie Lectures are named in honour of Fr. Bernard de Margerie, a priest of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon who has dedicated his whole life in ministry to the promotion of Christian unity. In this 11th year of the lecture series, we are expanding to offer lectures in both Regina and Saskatoon under the sponsorship of St. Thomas More College, the Prairie Centre for Ecumenism, the Archdiocese of Regina, and Campion College.

A Week of Prayer for Christian Unity youth event will be presented by the Prairie Centre for Ecumenism working in partnership with some of the Saskatoon downtown churches, taking place from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 15, starting with supper, followed by a presentation on Restorative Justice from Dave Feick, Executive Director of the Micah Mission in Saskatoon.

Participants must register here – Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Ecumenical Youth event 

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity service at Queen’s House

Representatives from the ecumenical community will  lead this prayer service, held at  11 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 19 at Queen’s House, 601 Taylor Street West, Saskatoon.

The prayer service will be followed by an optional lunch, cost: $15. Register for the lunch online at www.queenshouse.org/programs or call Queen’s House at (306) 242-1916.

Workshop for Clergy

Ministering Ecumenically in Our Congregations — A workshop for clergy and pastoral leadership with Bishop Bruce Myers will be held in-person only, Friday, Jan. 20 at St. Stephen Anglican Church, 10 Grosvenor Cres., Saskatoon from 10 am to 12:00 pm.

(Restricted to clergy and pastoral leadership, no registration required.) Presented in-person by the Prairie Centre for Ecumenism and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon.

Public Workshop

Living into the Unity We Seek – A public workshop for all people of God with Bishop Bruce Myers will be held in-person only, Saturday, Jan. 21 at St. Stephen Anglican Church, 10 Grosvenor Cres., Saskatoon.

Schedule: 9:00 a.m. breakfast; 10:00 a.m. workshop.

All are welcome, no registration required.

Presented in-person by the Prairie Centre for Ecumenism and the RC Diocese of Saskatoon

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Closing Service

7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023

Holy Spirit Parish, 114 Kingsmere Place, Saskatoon

Homilist: Rev. Dr. Ali Tote, Assistant to the Bishop, ELCIC Saskatchewan Synod