“We have found ways to coexist one with another with only the odd embarrassing disagreement and dissent. We have been so successful in this that many see no need to continue the search for unity. And yet, as the people of Umlasi showed me through their material, together we could do so much more.
“United in faith and love, East and West, North and South, could accomplish so much more for the world.”
The resource writers urged Christians to use the materials beyond the one Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in January by making use of them throughout the year.
“What is the point if for 51 other years we are not actually doing anything or praying for or thinking about the unity of all the people of God?” challenged Gerrard.
“If you are not thinking of the unity of the Church in Christ for 52 weeks a year one week a year is not going to make that much of a difference.
“Disunity is a scandal both to the church and to the world and only when and if we can think of it as a scandal will we be able to renew the unity of all Christians in the world.”He added, “Unity does not mean uniformity but it does mean moving and working together for the glory of God, one God...and that’s what we need to see locally in our churches together, during the Week of Prayer, during the whole of the year.”
The distinctive cover of the resource materials shows four hands – Christ’s and ours – and are inspired by the British Sign Language sign for ‘speak out’.
The resources include prayers, activities, songs, hymns and litanies. They also direct users to further resources available on the issues highlighted by the materials, including DVD films and CDs as well as organisations in the UK which work in the HIV/AIDS field.
Preparations are also underway for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2008 which will mark the centenary of the event. The 2008 event will be based on the command in 1 Thessalonians 5.17 – 18 to pray without ceasing and John 17.31, Christ’s prayer that all may be one.
Rev Fyffe expressed his hope that, “the way in which the resources for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity are picked up will not simply be something that is an intellectual exercise but is a movement of the heart as well, a movement into the heart of God as we pray to be one with God.”
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2007 will take place from 18 to 25 January next year in churches across the globe and throughout all mainstream denominations.
