ELCA members observe Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

CHICAGO (ELCA) --Members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) will join with Christians around the world Jan. 18-25 to observe the 2014 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.
"The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is a week of hope for reconciliation and renewal. For over 100 years, the Week of Prayer for Christianity Unity has been observed as an opportunity for Christians to pray together for unity," said the Rev. Donald McCoid, ELCA executive for ecumenical and inter-religious relations.
"This year's observance has the theme "Is Christ Divided?" This theme challenges disunity among Christians as being unacceptable, because Christ is not divided," said McCoid.
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is traditionally observed from the Jan. 18-25 between the feasts of St. Peter and St. Paul.
"Congregations and ministerial associations will hold services of prayer for unity throughout the United States and in many places in the world. It is an important witness to the world that Christians desire unity and renewal for the Body of Christ," said McCoid.
Liturgical resources and materials for use in ELCA congregations have been made available by The Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and The Commission on Faith and Order of the World Council of Churches. Worship resources, biblical reflections and prayers for each day of the week are available at http://www.oikoumene.org/en/resources/week-of-prayer/week-of-prayer.