2020 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Theme: “They Showed Us Unusual Kindness” (Acts 28:2)
The 2020 theme, “They showed us unusual kindness” (Acts 28:2), remembers the historic shipwreck of Paul on the island of Malta and calls us to a greater generosity to those in need. As an island nation, boats are an important part of Maltese life. The Scripture reading in this service describes a perilous sea voyage by the Apostle Paul. A boat is also symbolic of the sometimes tempestuous journey Christians make together towards unity.
What is it?
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is an annual ecumenical celebration. Christians around the world are invited to pray for the unity of all Christians, to reflect on scripture together, to participate in jointly-organized ecumenical services, and to share fellowship.
When does it take place?
In the northern hemisphere, the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is traditionally held every year between January 18th (the Feast of the Confession of Saint Peter) and January 25th (the Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul). For our fiends in the southern hemisphere, it is often celebrated during the Pentecost season.
Why does it matter?
In the Gospel of John, Christ prays for his disciples before going to the cross. He asks that his followers “may all be one,” as he and the Father are one, “so that the world may believe” and have life in his name (John 17). Christian unity is here made central to the very being of the church and to its mission and witness.
Today, we live with divisions even as we yearn for the unity promised and commissioned by Christ. The long and often painful history of Christianity has sundered our churches for theological, liturgical, and political reasons. Many Christians now strive to heal these divisions, yet honour our diversity, through ecumenical dialogue, common action, and relationship-building. They also come together to pray for unity, joining Christ in his prayer to the Father.
The worldwide celebration of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is both the seed and the fruit of this striving for ‘unity in diversity’. This time of shared prayer, reflection, and fellowship invites Christians of different traditions to deepen our relationships and to live and witness together throughout the year.
Below is the Arizona statewide celebration of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, and there are Prayer Service/ Vespers throughout the state all week, culminating with the Iconography Retreat at Shepherd of the Hills.
All manner of artwork for the individual statewide events is available at MayAllBeOne.org
Arizona Schedule:
Lutheran Vespers Service: Sunday, January 19, 2020, 7:00 p.m., Desert Cross Lutheran Church, 8600 S McClintock Dr., Tempe, AZ 85284
Presbyterian Vespers Service: Monday, January 20, 2020, 7:00 p.m., Flagstaff Federated Community Church, 400 W Aspen Ave., Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Armenian Vespers Service: Tuesday, January 21, 2020, 7:00 p.m., St Apkar Armenian Apostolic Church, 8849 E Cholla St., Scottsdale, AZ 85260
Community of Christ Vespers Service: Wednesday, January 22, 2020, 7:00 p.m., Thunderbird West, 5035 West Paradise Lane, Glendale, AZ 85306
Primary Celebration: Thursday, January 23, 2020. 7:00 p.m., St. Pius X Catholic Church, 809 S. 7th Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85007 (Southwest Conference Minister Rev. Bill Lyons will be participating in this service)
United Methodist Vespers, Friday, January 24, 2020, 7:00 p.m., Red Mountain UMC, 2936 N. Power Rd., Mesa, AZ 85215
Episcopal Vespers Service, Saturday, January 25, 2020, 7:00 p.m., Grace St Paul's Episcopal Church, 2331 E Adams St., Tucson, AZ 85719
Iconography Retreat: Friday - Sunday, January 24-26, 2020, FRIDAY: 9:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., SATURDAY: 9:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., SUNDAY: 10:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m., Shepherd of the Hills, UCC, 5524 E. Lafayette Blvd., Phoenix, AZ 85018
Sun City Schedule:
Services: 12:00 – 12:30 p.m.; fellowship lunch: 12:30 – 1 p.m.
(the first church listed is the host church; the second church is the supporting church)
Monday, January 20 – First Presbyterian w/ St Christopher’s
Tuesday, January 21 – United Church of Sun City w/ Faith Presbyterian
Wednesday, January 22 – St Elizabeth Seton w/ Church of the Palms
Thursday, January 23 – All Saints of the Desert w/ St Joachim & St Anne
Friday, January 24 – First United Methodist w/ Shepherd of the Desert
New Mexico Schedule:
Sun, Jan 19 at 12:15 pm *Immaculate Conception, 619 Copper Ave., NW Alb, 247.4271
Mon, Jan 20 at 7 pm St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 9500 Constitution Ave, NE-ABQ, is hosting a musical evening featuring 3 choirs including their own choir, First United Methodist Choir; and the Albuquerque Catholic Women’s Choir. Event benefits Family Promise with a freewill donation. Call 298.5596
Tues, Jan 21 at 5:15 pm United Church of Santa Fe is hosting a Prayer Service with Santa Maria de La Paz Catholic Church and St. Bede’s Episcopal Church at 1804 Arroyo Chamiso Road, Santa Fe. Potluck 505.988.3295
Wed, Jan 22 at 6 pm Taizé Service at Sanctuario de Chimayo in the Santo Nino Chapel, 505.689.2404
Fri, Jan 24 at 7 pm Evening of Prayer – Our Lady of the Annunciation, ABQ505.298.7553
