MADISON — An ecumenical prayer service, commemorating the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, will be celebrated on Sunday, Jan. 18, at 6 p.m. at Assumption Orthodox Church, 11 N. 7th St. (northeast corner of E. Washington Ave.).
The service will consist of prayers and readings from the Bible, centered on unity in Christ in the Gospel. Our one common Holy Tradition in faith will be shared in psalms, canticles, epistles, and gospels. A social hour with refreshments will follow the service.
The Wisconsin Council of Churches (WCOC) is cosponsoring the ecumenical prayer service for Christian unity. The WCOC represents the Baptist, Disciples, God in Christ, Brethren, Episcopal, Lutheran, Orthodox, Moravian, Presbyterian, Reformed, UCC, Methodist, and Roman Catholic Churches.
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity was developed by Fr. Paul Wattson, S.A., at Graymoor in Garrison, N.Y., and was first observed at Graymoor from January 18 to 25, 1908. This year will be the 100th anniversary of this observance.
In 1966, the Faith and Order Commission of the World Council of Churches and the Vatican Secretariat (now Council) for Promoting Christian Unity began to collaborate in this week of prayer.