Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

* Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (WPCU) Jan. 18 to 25 – “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling.” (Ephesians 4:4)

Bishop Mark Hagemoen’s message for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity can be found on the diocesan website: https://rcdos.ca. Saskatoon events include:

*WPCU Ecumenical Morning Prayer Services Jan. 19-23 – 8 a.m. worship, light breakfast to follow:

• Monday, Jan. 19 – St. Matthew Anglican Church, 35-109th Avenue, Saskatoon
• Tuesday, Jan. 20 – Trinity Lutheran Church ELCIC; 419 Avenue E North, Saskatoon
• Wednesday, Jan. 21 – St. Patrick RC Parish, 3339 Centennial Drive, Saskatoon
• Thursday, Jan. 22 – Grosvenor Park United Church, 407 Cumberland Avenue South, Saskatoon
• Friday, Jan. 23 -Wildwood Mennonite Church, 1502 Acadia Drive, Saskatoon

* WPCU – Prayer Service – 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 19 at Luther Heights, 11802 Alexandra Ave., Saskatoon, followed by a lunch (for information about cost and to RSVP for lunch, please e-mail: admin@pcecumenism.ca).

* WPCU – Singing Into Unity hymn-singing event will be held at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 20 at Christ Church Anglican, 515-28th St. West, Saskatoon.

* WPCU – De Margerie Series on Christian Reconciliation and Unity Jan. 21 to 24 – “Christian Martyrdom and the Unity of the Church” lectures and workshops. Guest lecturer is Dr. Jeremy Bergen, Associate Professor of Religious Studies and Theological Studies at Conrad Grebel University College, University of Waterloo. He has written on church apologies, martyrdom, ecclesiology, ecumenism, the Holy Spirit, and Mennonite theology, and is currently completing a book on Christian martyrdom and the unity of the church for Baylor University Press.

• De Margerie Lecture 1 in Regina: “The Ecumenism of Blood: Solidarity in Trying Times” will examine the basic claim that a history of martyrdom serves as a resource for ecumenism. By exploring the stories and legacies of some particular martyrs, we can see how unity and solidarity might be expressed, but also the challenges and tensions – Wednesday, Jan. 21 at 7:00 pm at Campion College, 3825 Lee Gren Avenue, Regina (also live-streamed).
• De Margerie Lecture 2 in Saskatoon: “Christians Killing Christians: Reconciling Violent Pasts and Conflicting Martyrdoms” will look at one major barrier — the history of Christians killing Christians. During the Reformation, the execution of fellow Christians was justified on theological grounds, and some of those killed are honoured as martyrs by some churches. How do we reckon with this history in ways that do justice to the past, and promote reconciliation and unity in the future – Thursday, Jan. 22 at 7:00 pm at St. Thomas More College, 1437 College Drive, Saskatoon (also live-streamed)
• De Margerie Series Public Workshop “Church Apologies, Rites and Wrongs” – Friday, Jan. 23 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Wildwood Mennonite Church, 1502 Acadia Drive, Saskatoon. A workshop will also be held Saturday, Jan. 24 in Regina (workshops are not live-streamed, in-person only).

* WPCU Campus Service – 12 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 22 at St. Andrew’s College, Saskatoon, a partnership between the Saskatoon Theological Union and St. Thomas More College, featuring guest preacher: Dr. Jeremy Bergen.

* WPCU Closing – Ecumenical Worship Service: 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 25 at St. Andrew Presbyterian, 436 Spadina Cres., Saskatoon with Saskatoon Anglican Bishop Chad McCharles.

More information: Prairie Centre for Ecumenism https://pcecumenism.ca/  or (306) 653-1633 or admin@pcecumenism.ca. Find resources at www.weekofprayer.ca (Ecumenism is supported by the Bishop’s Annual Appeal.)