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Archdiocese of Chicago Observes the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Jan. 18 - 25, 2022

Chicagoland Christian Churches to pray together in-person and online throughout the week

Chicago, (Jan. 14, 2022) – The Archdiocese of Chicago will join other Christian churches in praying for unity during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, beginning on Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022. Started in 1908, the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is celebrated annually around the world, usually around Pentecost. Those eight days form an “octave” from the Confession of St. Peter to the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul. This year’s theme is from the second chapter of the gospel of Matthew, “We saw the star in the East, and we came to worship Him.”

"The ongoing ravages of COVID-19 and the intensity of our ecclesial and political divisions are powerful evidence of our need for a healing and harmony that can only come from God,” said Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, archbishop of Chicago. “Let us enter fully into this year's Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, so that we Christians may become true witnesses of hope, compassion, and even joy, for a suffering world." 

The Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and the World Council of Churches select ecumenical leaders from various regions to prepare the theme and text for the Week of Prayer. This year’s theme was selected by the Middle East Council of Churches with Christians from Lebanon, Syria and Egypt, developing the resources that include an ecumenical opening prayer service, biblical reflections and prayers for eight days, and other elements of worship.

The theme recalls the Epiphany, the visit of the Magi to Bethlehem, highlighting God’s invitation to all of humanity to a new covenant in the Incarnation of Christ. In the Eastern Churches, Epiphany is joined to the mystery of the Baptism of Christ, a baptism all Christians hold in common as testimony to their faith in the Son of God. The reflections consider how Christians are called to be a sign to the world of God bringing about unity and hope.

The following are local ecumenical prayer services commemorating the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Guests are encouraged to confirm with churches that in-person services have not moved online at the last minute.

Wednesday, January 19, 11 a.m.

Franciscan Friars of the Atonement, Graymoor Ecumenical & Interreligious Institute and the Interchurch Center Committee on Ecumenical, Interfaith, and Community Concerns, will host a livestreamed ecumenical service of the Word online at https://www.facebook.com/AtonementFriars/ or https://geii.org/learn_more/events/upcoming_events.html

 

Thursday, January 20, 7 p.m.

Gary United Methodist Church, 224 N. Main St., Wheaton

Immanuel Lutheran Church, 1500 W. Elmdale Ave., Chicago

 

Saturday, January 22, 7 p.m.

University Bible Fellowship, 5407 Hyde Park Blvd., Chicago

This prayer service will be livestreamed at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82910721276

 

Sunday, January 23, 10:30 a.m.

St. Nicolai Church, 3000 N. Kedzie Ave., Chicago, IL 60618

For more information, please visit https://eia.archchicago.org/ or  call 312.534.5325.