The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is upon us once again. To commemorate this time of collective witness we’ve compiled a list of ecumenical and inter-religious opportunities for you and your congregation to connect with throughout the year!
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
Traditionally the week of prayer is celebrated between 18-25 January, between the feasts of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, though it can be celebrated at any point throughout the year. Each year ecumenical partners from a particular region are invited to produce a liturgical text based on a specific Biblical theme. This year’s theme comes from Luke 10:27 – You shall love the Lord your God … and your neighbor as yourself. The text is jointly published by the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity and the World Council of Churches, through the WCC’s Commission on Faith and Order, which also accompanies the entire production process of the text. You can find this year’s resources in seven languages available for free download here. You can also find a wide range of resource from the Graymoor Ecumenical and Interreligious Institute here.
Join the Month of Unselfish Love Challenge
On January 23rd journey alongside Presiding Bishop Michael Curry of the Episcopal Church and others as they explore the power of love in the new film, A Case for Love*. You and your congregation are invited to join the “Month of Unselfish Love Challenge”– 30 days of daily acts of selflessness. Let’s see what happens when we put unselfish love front and center for the world to see! The film’s church discussion guide was developed by Luther Seminary’s Faith+Lead.
*A Case for Love, only in theaters January 23, 2024. Buy your Tickets Today!
Applications Open for Harding Meyer Ecumenical Award
Applications are open from now until February 15 for the 2024 Harding Meyer Prize in Ecumenism. The prize is awarded every two years to continue the legacy of the German theologian who broke new ground in strengthening relations between different Christian denominations.
The €3000 prize is awarded by the Board of the Lutheran Foundation for Interconfessional Research, in partnership with the Institute for Ecumenical Research in Strasbourg, where Meyer worked from 1971 until his retirement in 1994. The award was established by his family following his death in 2018. You can learn more about the award here.
The deadline for submitting an application is 15 February 2024. Applications should be sent as PDF files to:
Institute for Ecumenical Research,
ATTN: Harding Meyer Prize in Ecumenism,
8 rue Gustave-Klotz,
F-67000 Strasbourg, France
International Seminars for Pastors at the LWF Center in Wittenberg
LWF Center Wittenberg offers international seminars for pastors and theologians from member churches of The Lutheran World Federation (LWF). The two-week events take place in March and November every year. This year’s seminars will be held March 2-16 and November 2-16.
Participants study texts by Martin Luther and their current relevance in various contexts under the skilled academic leadership of international teachers. Exchange with participants from the seven regions of the LWF on their experiences complements the study of texts.
Ecumenical School on Governance, Economics and Management (GEM) for an Economy of Life
In order to strengthen the voice of churches with regards to global economics, a group of 20 leaders representing various churches will have the opportunity to attend the Ecumenical School on Governance, Economics and Management (GEM) for an Economy of Life in Nairobi, Kenya (TBC) from 19-30 August 2024.
Co-organized by the World Council of Churches, the World Communion of Reformed Churches, the Lutheran World Federation, the World Methodist Council, and the Council for World Mission, this initiative responds to recommendations outlined in the “Sao Paulo Statement: International Financial transformation for an Economy of Life” and in the document “Economy of Life for All Now: An Ecumenical Action Plan for a New International Financial and Economic Architecture,” which identified the development of competencies in economics within churches as a priority.
Completed application forms and supporting documents should be sent to the following link: https://wcccoe.hire.trakstar.com/jobs/fk0vqiv
The closing date for applications is February 24, 2024. Selected participants will be informed by March 20, 2024.
Bossey Interfaith Summer Course
Applications are open for the Ecumenical Institute at Bossey’s 2024 interfaith summer course, during which students earn a Certificate of Advanced Studies in Interreligious Studies.
Bringing together young people from Jewish, Christian, and Muslim communities, the theme of this year’s course is “People and Faith on the Move: Migration in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.” The distance learning component of the course runs from 8-26 July, followed by a residential period taking place 29 July-16 August.
The closing date for applications is March 15, 2024,
Shoulder to Shoulder Campaign
The Shoulder to Shoulder Campaign is equipping, connecting, and mobilizing faith leaders in the United States to address anti-Muslim discrimination and violence.
Love Over Hate Interfaith Iftars for Ramadan 2024: March 11 – April 10
The Institute for Ecumenical Research in Strasbourg
Since 1966, the Institute for Ecumenical Research in Strasbourg has offered annual Summer Seminars in Strasbourg to share the findings and breakthroughs of the ecumenical movement with a wider audience. Over the course of more than five decades, the Summer Seminars have explored an incredibly rich range of subjects. This year’s course information has yet to be released but will be shared in the coming months. Once it has been made available, we’ll post the information in EIR News, social media, and via the EIR Perspectives blog.
