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
Second Episcopal District, African Methodist Episcopal Church
Bishop William P. DeVeaux
Diocese of Raleigh, Roman Catholic Church
The Most Rev. Michael F. Burbidge, Bishop
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
January 18-25, 2013
February
Eastern North Carolina Episcopal District, African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church
Presiding Bishop
Regional Synod of New York, Reformed Church in America
The Rev. Jon Norton, Executive Minister
Knollwood Baptist Church
Dr. Bob Setzer, Jr., Pastor
Mars Hill Baptist Church
The Rev. Tommy Justus, Pastor
March
Piedmont Episcopal District, African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church
The Rt. Rev. George E. Battle, Jr., Presiding Bishop
Presbytery of Western North Carolina, Presbyterian Church (USA),
The Rev. Bobbi White, General Presbyter
Unity Fellowship Church Movement, Fourth Jurisdiction (South)
Bishop Tonyia Rawls, Prelate
Albemarle Conference of the Eastern NC Episcopal District
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church
Bishop Daryl Starnes
April
General Baptist State Convention of North Carolina
The Rev. Haywood Gray, Executive Secretary and Treasurer
Presbytery of Charlotte, Presbyterian Church (USA),
The Rev. Betty Meadows, Transitional General Presbyter
North Carolina Council of Churches
The Rev. George Reed, Executive Director
May
Seventh Episcopal District, Christian Methodist Episcopal Church
Bishop Thomas L. Hoyt, Jr., Presiding Prelate
Southern Conference, United Church of Christ
The Rev. Edward S. Davis, Conference Minister
Myers Park Baptist Church
The Rev. Everett C. Goodwin, Interim Senior Minister
June
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in North Carolina
The Rev. John M. Richardson, Regional Minister
Metropolitan Community Churches
The Rev. Elder Dr. Nancy Wilson, Moderator
NC Alliance of Baptists
The Rev. John Kent, Secretary-Treasurer
Cape Fear Conference of the Eastern NC Episcopal District
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church
Bishop Louis Hunter, Sr.
July
Diocese of East Carolina, Episcopal Church
The Rt. Rev. Peter James Lee, Bishop Provisional
North Carolina Conference, United Methodist Church
Bishop Hope Morgan Ward, Resident Bishop
Olin T. Binkley Memorial Baptist Church
The Rev. Peter Carman, Pastor
August
Diocese of North Carolina, Episcopal Church
The Rt. Rev. Michael B. Curry, 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, 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
Wake Forest Baptist Church, Winston-Salem
The Rev. Susan Parker, Pastor
Central North Carolina Conference of the Eastern NC Episcopal District
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church
Bishop Kenneth Monroe
October
North Carolina Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
The Rev. Dr. Leonard Bolick, Bishop
Presbytery of Salem, Presbyterian Church (USA)
The Rev. Sam Marshall, General Presbyter
Eastern Carolina District of the Virginia Mennonite Conference
Mennonite Church (USA)
The Rev. Duane Beck, Bishop
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)
Randy Quate, Superintendent
Diocese of Charlotte, Roman Catholic Church
The Most Rev. Peter J. Jugis, Bishop
Watts Street Baptist Church
The Rev. Diane Hill, Minister with Adults
North Carolina Conference of the Eastern NC Episcopal District
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church
Bishop W. Darin Moore