With more than 100 years of history, the annual observance of Week of Prayer for Christian Unity involves Christian communities throughout the world. Traditionally it is observed between 18-25 January, but churches globally find other days to celebrate it too. This year the resources produced by the World Council of Churches (WCC), and the other ecumenical partners, invited Christians to reflect on the theme of one hope, one calling that comes from Apostle Paul’s letter to the Ephesians in The Bible (Eph. 4:4) that says: “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling”.
The Churches Together in Britian & Ireland (CTBI) also called Christians to draw upon the shared Christian heritage and to delve more deeply into living our lives with humility, gentleness, patience and love (Ephesians 4:1-3). It invited people to share details of their events on its Week of Prayer for Christian Unity wall at https://weekofprayer.org/ or by simply adding the #wpcuwall to the X(Twitter) posts
Locally in Luton, the Deans leading different Christian denominations, held a joint Ecumenical Service at the Holy Ghost Roman Catholic Church. During the service, candles were lit and the light was shared with one another reflecting on the service theme “Light from Light for Light”.
Rev Patrick Kandeh, Superintendent Minister of the South Bedfordshire Methodist Circuit shared in his message that our diversity is not a weakness but a strength. Like different instruments in one orchestra, we bring different gifts given by God to serve one purpose. Unity is not uniformity but harmony of difference, and walking in the light means working together, stepping beyond past divisions, and witnessing to the love that unites us.
Everyone was asked to takeaway questions for further reflection – How will our relations change if we accept that diversity of gifts is not a reason for opposition and competition but for mutual strengthening and sharing? Is our focus on what separates us, or on Christ who draws us all together? Revd Patrick ended his message with a blessing - Go from here as children of light. Be that light in your churches and community, and live in unity so that Christ’s light may shine in our broken and hurting world.
For more info, please visit the following weblinks:
https://www.oikoumene.org/resources/week-of-prayer-for-christian-unity
https://www.oikoumene.org/news/prayers-for-unity-shine-through-a-darkened-world
https://www.oikoumene.org/news/in-rome-students-from-bossey-witness-how-christians-come-together
https://www.oikoumene.org/news/congregations-in-geneva-mark-the-week-of-prayer-for-christian-unity
https://ctbi.org.uk/resources/week-of-prayer-for-christian-unity-2026/
https://www.lutontoday.co.uk/community/faith-matters-week-of-prayer-for-christian-unity-5489865
L to R: Revs Charmaine Mhlanga (Baptist), Kevin McGinnell (Catholic), Anne Crosby (C of E) & Patrick Kandeh (Methodist) Area Deans led a joint Ecumenical Service to observe this year’s Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
During a joint Ecumenical Service to observe this year’s Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, candles were lit and the light was shared with one another reflecting on the service theme “Light from Light for Light”.
During a joint Ecumenical Service to observe this year’s Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, candles were lit and the light was shared with one another reflecting on the service theme “Light from Light for Light”.
During a joint Ecumenical Service to observe this year’s Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, candles were lit and the light was shared with one another reflecting on the service theme “Light from Light for Light”.