This Prayer for Unity and monthly ecumenical prayer calendar include by name the judicatories and congregations that are members of the North Carolina Council of Churches and the names of their current leaders. Your prayers for reconciliation are invited for all Christian bodies in and beyond the state.
Click here to download a PDF of the Prayer Calendar.
A Prayer for Unity
Holy One, whose love
has been poured into our hearts
through Jesus Christ in the Holy Spirit, and who by the power at work within us
is able to accomplish far more
than we can ask or imagine,
infuse us with a longing
for reconciliation.
Help us maintain the unity of your Spirit
in the bond of peace.
In these days when people and places
are affected by strife and its threat,
make us light to the world.
When we get tired and confused,
take us by the hand
and show us the way forward.
Help us transform barriers into bridges.
We remember especially this day
[Insert name of judicatory or congregation and its leader]
We give thanks for the spiritual gifts
These sisters and brothers in Christ
share with all your people.
Remind us that these ministries are for your whole church in your whole world.
This we pray in the name of the One who calls us to be one,
Your Son our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Amen.
Adapted from a prayer by The Rev. Dr. Diane C. Kessler, retired Executive Director,
Massachusetts Council of Churches.
January
North Carolina Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, The Rev. Timothy M. Smith, Bishop
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity January 18-25, 2016
Mars Hill Baptist Church, The Rev. Tommy Justus, Pastor
February
Piedmont Episcopal District, African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, The Rt. Rev. George E. Battle, Jr., Presiding Bishop
Regional Synod of New York, Reformed Church in America, The Rev. Jon Norton, Executive Minister
Knollwood Baptist Church, The Rev. Bob Setzer, Jr., Pastor
March
Presbytery of Western North Carolina, Presbyterian Church (USA), The Rev. Bobbi White,
Executive Presbyter
Unity Fellowship Church Movement, Fourth Jurisdiction (South), Bishop Jacquelyn D. Holland
Albemarle Conference, Eastern NC Episcopal District, African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church,
Bishop Daryl Starnes
Metropolitan Community Churches, The Rev. Elder Dr. Nancy Wilson, Moderator
April
General Baptist State Convention of North Carolina, The Rev. Haywood Gray,
Executive Secretary and Treasurer
Central North Carolina Conference, Eastern NC Episcopal District, African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, Bishop Kenneth Monroe
North Carolina Council of Churches, The Rev. Jennifer E. Copeland, Executive Director
May
Seventh Episcopal District, Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, Bishop James B. Walker, Presiding Prelate
Southern Conference, United Church of Christ, The Rev. Edward S. Davis, Conference Minister
Myers Park Baptist Church, The Rev. Robin Coira, Executive Minister
June
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in North Carolina, The Rev. John M. Richardson, Regional Minister
Cape Fear Conference, Eastern NC Episcopal District, African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church,
Bishop Louis Hunter, Sr.
North Carolina Conference, United Methodist Church, Bishop Hope Morgan Ward, Resident Bishop
July
Diocese of East Carolina, Episcopal Church, The Rt. Rev. Robert Skirving, Bishop
Wake Forest Baptist Church, Winston-Salem, The Rev. Lia Scholl, Pastor
Olin T. Binkley Memorial Baptist Church, Rev. Marcus McFaul, Intentional Interim Minister
August
Diocese of North Carolina, Episcopal Church, The Rt. Rev. Anne E. Hodges-Copple, Bishop
Presbytery of Coastal Carolina, Presbyterian Church (USA), The Rev. Dr. William (Bill) Reinhold,
Executive Presbyter
The Congregation at Duke Chapel, The Rev. Dr. Carol Gregg, Senior Pastor
September
Diocese of Western North Carolina, Episcopal Church, The Rt. Rev. G. Porter Taylor, Bishop
Presbytery of New Hope, Presbyterian Church (USA), The Rev. Ted Churn, Executive Presbyter
Presbytery of Charlotte, Presbyterian Church (USA), The Rev. Betty Meadows,
Transitional General Presbyter
NC Alliance of Baptists, The Rev. John Kent, Secretary-Treasurer
October
Second Episcopal District, African Methodist Episcopal Church, Bishop William P. DeVeaux
Presbytery of Salem, Presbyterian Church (USA), The Rev. Sam Marshall, General Presbyter
Eastern Carolina District, Virginia Mennonite Conference, Mennonite Church (USA),
The Rev. Spencer Bradford
November
Southern Province, Moravian Church in America, The Rev. David Guthrie, President
Western North Carolina Conference, United Methodist Church, Bishop Larry M. Goodpaster,
Resident Bishop
Pullen Memorial Baptist Church,The Rev. Dr. Nancy E. Petty, Pastor
December
North Carolina Yearly Meeting, Religious Society of Friends (FUM), Don Farlow, Interim Superintendent
Watts Street Baptist Church, The Rev. Dorisanne Cooper, Pastor
North Carolina Conference, Eastern North Carolina Episcopal District, African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, Bishop W. Darin Moore
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