To:      Pastors/Parish Administrators

            Pastoral Associates

            Liturgical Committees

From: Deacon John Brasley

Diocesan Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs Officer

Parish Support Ministries

Date:   August 15, 2007

Subj: Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

I encourage you to begin planning now for the 2008 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (Jan 18-25).  The theme this year is “Pray without ceasing”  (1 Thessalonians 5:12a, 13b-18)

Attached are materials and resources available from Graymoor Ecumenical & Interreligious Institute. You can send your order directly to them. As you will see, materials are included for the Martin Luther King National Holiday. (January 21).  If you have used these materials in the past, you know well the high quality of their presentation.  If you have never tried them, I highly recommend them to you.

Some people note that the end of January is crowded with events that put demands on the Church calendar. Although the end of January is the traditional time for this prayer, it is not written in stone. All of the material (except for the large poster) is undated. If your calendar is too full then, plan to hold the prayer at another time during the year. Pentecost is another time that lends itself well to prayer for Christian Unity. Be creative in your planning. I suggest that you be as inclusive of all the different traditions that are available in your area as you can be.

Deacon John Brasley

Parish Support Ministry

1150 Buffalo Road

Rochester NY  14624

brasley@dor.org

585-328-3228, ext. 1318

2008 WEEK OF PRAYER       RESOURCES

FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY

The theme and text for each year’s observance of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity are chosen and prepared by representatives of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and representatives of the World Council of Churches.  The international texts are developed, adapted and published for use in the USA by the Graymoor Ecumenical & Interreligious Institute.

Resources on the Internet:

www.weekofprayer2008.org

www.geii.org

Resources on the website may be printed.  Resources on the website include a brief history of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, an ecumenical celebration of the word of God, an exegetical reflection on the scriptural theme, a daily scripture & prayer guide, homily notes, music suggestions, sample pulpit and bulletin announcements and press releases, suggestions for promoting and observing the WPCU (traditionally January 18-25), Ecumenical Sunday (within the WPCU) and the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. National Holiday (observed in January).

2008 Week of Prayer Resource Booklet

Resource material containing an ecumenical celebration of the word of God, an exegetical reflection on the scriptural theme, daily scripture and prayer guide, homily notes, music suggestions, sample pulpit and bulletin announcements and press releases, suggestions for promoting and observing the WPCU (traditionally Jan 18-25), Ecumenical Sunday (within the WPCU) and the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Holiday (observed in January).  $5.00 each

Daily Scripture & Prayer Guide

Two-color, four page (5 ½ x 8 ½) guide with biblical passages, meditation and prayer for personal and group uses.  Shipped folded.  English or Spanish $6.00 per hundred.

An Ecumenical Celebration of the Word of God

Full-color, four-page (5 ½ x 8 ½) worship service with the year’s theme art on front.  Shipped flat.  English or Spanish.  $7.00 per hundred.

Prayer Card

Full-color card (2 ¾ x 4½) with the year’s theme art on front and a prayer for unity on back.  English or Spanish.  $8.00 per hundred.

Art/Poster

Full-color (11 x 17) theme art and scripture passage.  English or Spanish.  Shipped folded.  $3.50 each.

Worship Bulletin Cover

Full-color, four-page (5 ½ x 8 ½) cover with the year’s theme art.  Undated.  Inside blank for local imprinting.  Shipped flat.  English or Spanish.    $6.50 per hundred.

2008 Week of Prayer Sample Packet

One copy of each of the following five items:  2008 Week of Prayer resource booklet, poster, ecumenical celebration of the word of God, worship bulletin cover, daily scripture & prayer guide and prayer card.  $10.00 each (including shipping & handling).

Ecumenical Trends

Monthly (except August) publication of the Graymoor Ecumenical & Interreligious Institute containing ecumenical news, documentation and thought.  $20.00 per year USA; $22.00 per year elsewhere.

PLEASE NOTE:  All resources are undated to facilitate their continuing usefulness.  Items will be ready for shipment in mid-October.  Fulfillment of orders received after December 15 cannot be guaranteed.

Please order early.

(Supplies have run out in recent years.)

For Further Information, contact:

Week of Prayer

Graymoor Ecumenical & Interreligious Institute

Franciscan Friars of the Atonement

Route 9 – P.O. Box 300

Garrison NY  10524-0300

2008 WEEK OF PRAYER     ORDER FORM

FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY

All orders must be prepaid.  Prices listed are in US dollars.  Orders from outside the USA must be paid with an international money order.  Payment by credit card is not accepted.  Incomplete orders cannot be processed and will be returned.  Make check payable to “Week of Prayer”, and mail with order form to:  Week of Prayer • Graymoor Ecumenical & Interreligious Institute • Route 9 • P.O. Box 300 • Garrison, NY  10524-0300