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.
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, 2019
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. Amy Nyland
Executive Minister
Knollwood Baptist Church
The Rev. Bob Setzer, Jr.
Pastor
March
Presbytery of Western North Carolina
Presbyterian Church (USA)
The Rev. Bobbi White
General Presbyter
Third Jurisdiction
Unity Fellowship Church Movement
The Rev. Sonja Lee
Eastern NC Episcopal District
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church
Bishop Kenneth Monroe
April
General Baptist State Convention
of North Carolina
The Rev. Dr. Nilous M. Avery, II
President
North Carolina Council of Churches
The Rev. Jennifer E. Copeland
Executive Director
Metropolitan Community Churches
The Rev. Rachelle Brown
Interim Moderator
May
Carolina Conference
Christian Methodist Episcopal Church
Bishop James B. Walker
Southern Conference
United Church of Christ
The Rev. Edward S. Davis
Conference Minister
Myers Park Baptist Church
The Rev. Ben Boswell
Executive Minister
June
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in North Carolina
The Rev. Bishop Valerie Melvin
North Carolina Conference
United Methodist Church
Bishop Hope Morgan Ward
Resident Bishop
NC Alliance of Baptists
The Rev. Michael Castle
President
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
The Rev. Marcus McFaul
Pastor
August
Diocese of North Carolina
Episcopal Church
The Rt. Rev. Samuel Rodman
Bishop
Presbytery of Coastal Carolina
Presbyterian Church (USA)
The Rev. Jerrod Lowry
General Presbyter
The Congregation at Duke Chapel
The Rev. Dr. Carol Gregg
Senior Pastor
September
Diocese of Western North Carolina
Episcopal Church
The Rt. Rev. José McLoughlin
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
October
Second Episcopal District
African Methodist Episcopal Church
Bishop James Levert Davis
Presbytery of Salem
Presbyterian Church (USA)
The Rev. Steve Scott
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 Paul Leeland
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
Reformed Churches of God in Christ International
Most Reverend K.J. Rogers
Chief Protector