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 you 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
Bishop Timothy M. Smith
Presiding Bishop
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
January 18-25, 2022
Mars Hill Baptist Church
The Rev. Tommy Justus
Pastor
February
North Carolina Piedmont Episcopal District
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church
Bishop Darryl B. Starnes, Sr.
Presiding Bishop
Regional Synod of New York
Reformed Church in America
The Rev. Dr. Micheal Edwards
Interim Executive Minister
Knollwood Baptist Church
The Rev. Dr. Bob Setzer, Jr.
Pastor
March
Presbytery of Western North Carolina
Presbyterian Church (USA)
The Rev. Dr. Byron Wade
General Presbyter
Unity Fellowship Church, Charlotte
The Rev. Sonja Lee
Pastor
Eastern North Carolina Episcopal District
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church
Bishop Kenneth Monroe
Presiding Bishop
April
General Baptist State Convention of North Carolina
The Rev. Dr. Leonzo D. Lynch
President
North Carolina Council of Churches
The Rev. Dr. Jennifer E. Copeland
Executive Director
Metropolitan Community Churches
The Rev. Cecilia Eggleston
Interim Moderator
May
Carolina Conference
Christian Methodist Episcopal Church
Bishop James B. Walker
Presiding Bishop
Southern Conference
United Church of Christ
The Rev. Dr. Edward S. Davis
Conference Minister
Myers Park Baptist Church
The Rev. Ben Boswell
Senior Minister
June
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in North Carolina
Bishop Valerie Melvin
Regional Minister
North Carolina Conference
United Methodist Church
Bishop Leonard Fairley
Presiding Bishop
North Carolina Alliance of Baptists
The Rev. Michael-Ray Matthews
President
July
Diocese of East Carolina
Episcopal Church
The Rt. Rev. Robert Skirving
Presiding Bishop
Wake Forest Baptist Church, Winston-Salem
The Rev. Lia Scholl
Pastor
Olin T. Binkley Memorial Baptist Church
The Rev. Dr. Marcus McFaul
Senior Minister
August
Diocese of North Carolina
Episcopal Church
The Rt. Rev. Samuel Rodman
Presiding 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
Presiding Bishop
Presbytery of New Hope
Presbyterian Church (USA)
The Rev. Dr. Vanessa Hawkins
Interim Executive Presbyter
Presbytery of Charlotte
Presbyterian Church (USA)
The Rev. Jan Edmiston
General Presbyter
October
Second Episcopal District
African Methodist Episcopal Church
Bishop James Levert Davis
Presiding Bishop
Presbytery of Salem
Presbyterian Church (USA)
The Rev. Dr. Barbara Smith
Transitional General Presbyter
Eastern Carolina District
Virginia Mennonite Conference
Mennonite Church (USA)
The Rev. Clyde G. Kratz
Executive Conference Minister
November
Southern Province
Moravian Church in America
The Rev. Chris Thore
President
Western North Carolina Conference
United Methodist Church
Bishop Kenneth H. Carter
Presiding Bishop
Pullen Memorial Baptist Church
The Rev. Dr. Nancy E. Petty
Pastor
December
North Carolina Yearly Meeting
Religious Society of Friends (Quaker)
Don Farlow
Interim Superintendent
Watts Street Baptist Church
The Rev. Dorisanne Cooper
Senior Minister
Reformed Churches of God in Christ International
Most Reverend K.J. Rogers
Chief Protector