2025 marks the 1,700th anniversary of the first Christian Ecumenical Council, held in Nicaea, near Constantinople in 325 AD. This commemoration provides a unique opportunity to reflect on and celebrate the common faith of Christians, as expressed in the creed formulated during this council.
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2025 offers an invitation to draw on this shared heritage and to enter more deeply into the faith that unites all Christians.
The guiding biblical text for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2025 comes from John 11:17-27. The theme for the week, “Do you believe this?” (v. 26), takes its cue from the dialogue between Jesus and Martha when Jesus visited the home of Martha and Mary in Bethany following the death of their brother Lazarus.
The traditional period in the northern hemisphere for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is 18-25 January. In the southern hemisphere churches often find other days to celebrate the Week of Prayer, for example around Pentecost, which is also a symbolic date for the unity of the church.
The Southwest Conference will take part in two statewide services; one in Arizona and one in New Mexico.
In New Mexico, join our Conference Minister, Rev. Dr. Toni Hawkins who will provide inspiration and invitation based on John 11:26. This event is sponsored by the Archdiocese of Santa Fe Ecumenical Commission and the New Mexico Conference of Churches and will take place at First Presbyterian Church, 215 Locus St NE, Albuquerque, NM 87102 on Sunday, January 26, 2025 at 3:00 pm.
In Arizona, join our Conference Minister, Rev. Dr. Toni Hawkins, for the 2025 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity! This year’s Statewide Ecumenical Prayer Service will be hosted by Bishop Edward J. Weisenburger at the Redemptorist Renewal Center in Tucson. Let’s unite in prayer for Christian unity on Thursday, January 23, 2025, at 6:30 PM at 7101 W. Picture Rocks Rd., Tucson, AZ 85743.