This year, the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity fell during the 500th anniversary year of Martin Luther’s presentation of the 95 Theses on October 31, 1517, said Ken Rolheiser of Canora, an organizer of the Week.
In Canora, services were held January 23 at Parkland Christian Centre; January 24 at St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, January 25 at the Canora United Church and on Friday at the Gateway Community Church.
Many Protestant Christians mark this event as the beginning of the Reformation, Rolheiser said. The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) has chosen to commemorate this anniversary using the theme “Liberated by God’s Grace” with three sub-themes: Creation – Not for Sale; Human Beings – Not for Sale, and Salvation – Not for Sale.
Christians variously respond to the very phenomenon of Reformation, and the signal events associated with the 16th century under that title, he said. “Some lament it and then, others celebrate the same, while still others see in these the shades of gray that mark our way under the cross – in our present sojourn, wherein “we see in a mirror, dimly.” (1 Cor. 13:12)
“As the Church prays for unity in this 500th year, it does so in the realization that we cannot divine God’s plans with certainty even while we confess that “we know that all things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to his purpose.” (Rom. 8:28)
“Paul’s formulation in no way whitewashes the division and pain associated with this tumultuous time even while it confesses that God brings about good from history coursing with mixed motives, imperfect heroes and pointed fingers.”
“Here, at the Canora level of the church, I thank you for coming out this week to participate in Church Unity Activities,” Rolheiser said during the service at St. Joseph’s. “By your presence you are redressing the wrongs we acknowledged in our Reconciliation prayers.
“When we participate in Ecumenical plans and services we are helping to end the isolation and separation from other faith communities.
“When we extend our love and care to members of other churches we are working toward church unity.
“When we make an effort at open dialogue with members of other faith communities we are working toward church unity.
“When we pray for and long for communion with other churches we are working toward church unity.
“When we work together with other churches on common environmental issues we are working toward church unity.
“When we acknowledge that God works through other churches and when we recognize the gifts of the Spirit working in other faith communities then we are on the right track toward Christian Unity.
“In our prayers today we acknowledge our differences and failure to work together as a unified church, and we take another step towards unity as the one church of Jesus Christ,” Rolheiser said.
