Church marks 'Prayer for Christian Unity'

Church in India Monday joined the rest of the world to commemorate the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

The ecumenical tradition is observed by members of the World Council of Churches (WCC) and Roman Catholic Church, between 18-25 January.

In India, the NCCI and CBCI jointly observed the week of prayer which has been themed, 'You are the witness of these things' (Luke 24:48).

The inauguration of this year's Prayer Service was held at the All Saints Cathedral, Church of North India, Nagpur.

The Rev. Dr. Roshan Jambhule, Presbyter, All Saints Cathedral, and Rev. Dr. Sunil Godbole conducted the Inaugural Worship of the Week of Prayer 2010.

Apart from Roman Catholic Church, Church of North and Church of South India, there were leaders from Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church and members from Peace Fora of Nagpur.

World renowned Lutheran theologian and scholar Rev. Dr. Herbert Hoefer, Dean of Theology, Concordia University, Oregon, USA and Rev. Dr. Diane Christopherson of the United Church of Christ, USA brought greetings and gave their exhortations on the theme.

The Rev. Asir Ebenezer, Officiating General Secretary - NCCI, introduced the 'Unity Octave' and informed that the "spirit of ecumenism among Christian communities in India challenges exclusivity and calls for an inclusive mindset."

Mr. R. Christopher Rajkumar, Secretary – Commission on Justice, Peace and Creation gave an exhortation on the theme.

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity began in 1908 as the Octave of Christian Unity, and focused on prayer for church unity.

For the 2009 Week, the biblical text Ezekiel 37:15–19, 22–24 was chosen. In 2010, the verses from Luke 24:48 was chosen to "highlight a particular way of witnessing to the Risen One."

The chapter "invites us to think about our situation of church division and about how, concretely, we can remedy that. We are already witnesses and we need to become better witnesses," said a document published by the WCC.

"During the 2010 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity we are invited to follow the whole of chapter 24 of Luke's gospel. Whether it be the terrified women at the tomb, the two discouraged disciples on the road to Emmaus or the eleven disciples overtaken by doubt and fear, all who together encounter the Risen Christ are sent on mission," it said.

"This mission of the Church is given by Christ and cannot be appropriated by anyone. It is the community of those who have been reconciled with God and in God, and who can witness to the truth of the power of salvation in Jesus Christ."