News from the Diocese - 4
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity celebrates 100 years
The week of prayer for Christian Unity, which runs from 18-25 January, marks its 100th anniversary this year. The eight day “octave” of prayer for unity was first started by Revd Paul Wattson, and the Society of the Atonement in Graymoor, New York, in 1908.
Northampton
churches are joining together for their own celebration on Thursday 24
January. Christians from various denominations are meeting at 6.45pm at
their churches in the town centre (including St Giles, Northampton). Then,
led by church leaders including Bishop Frank, Bishop Peter Doyle, Revd Terry
Oakley, Revd Helen Wordsworth, Revd Andy Brooks and Major Jonathan Roberts
the congregations will walk, pray and sing their way together to Holy
Sepulchre church where a service, will take place there at 7.30pm.
Everyone is welcome at the service, during which a Gospel choir will sing.
For more details contact Teresa Brown, Ecumenical Officer for Shire & Soke
on 01832 293535.
"Pray without ceasing," from St Paul's letter to the Thessalonians, is the
Christian Unity week theme for 2008. More details are available from
Churches Together in Britain and Ireland on 0207 654 7254 or at
www.ctbi.org.uk
Photo: Cross at Ground Zero, New York
Events in January
Sat 5, Fresh Hope Prayer, 11am to 12 noon, in several Northampton locations. For details see the local Hope 08 website: www.hopepeterborough.org.uk
Tues 15, “The chicken and the egg”: theology and worship. A meeting of Northants Theological Society at 7.30pm at The Abbey Centre Chapel, East Hunsbury, Northampton. Speaker: Revd Dr Christopher Ellis, former Principal of Bristol Baptist College. Tel: 01604 716901.
Sat 19, Prayer for Christian Unity, 5pm at Peterborough Cathedral. A Taizé style service with a reflection from Revd Alison Tomlin, Chair of the Northampton Division of the Methodist Church. Tel: 01733 355310.
Thurs 24, Christian Unity 100th anniversary, service of prayer, 7.30pm at Holy Sepulchre Church, Sheep Street Northampton (see above).
Sun 27, Launch of 2008 Releasing Ministry theme, at churches in diocese.
Tues 29, Katharine of Aragon commemoration service, 11.30am at Peterborough Cathedral. A colourful service in which several local schools taking part. All welcome.
Mon 28 - Fri 1 Feb, Film retreat at Launde Abbey. “Discovering relationships: finding God in film”. Led by Mark Argent, composer, cellist, artist and writer. Cost: £290 including meals and accommodation. Tel: 01572 717254 or visit www.launde.org.uk