WCC NEWS: WCC invites prayer contributions for week commemorating one year of COVID-19

The World Council of Churches (WCC) is inviting the global fellowship to share online prayers, tweets, photos and other forms of social media under the hashtag #COVID19prayers for an upcoming special week of prayer from 22-27 March. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC 16 March 2021 The week of prayer will mark the one-year anniversary since the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic. The WCC will be sharing inspiring images and reflections that draw people together to express grief, healing and a sense of hope. The ecumenical family will also gather for a live-streamed global prayer service of grief on 26 March. Reflections, stories and videos from WCC member churches, as well as regional and global partners, will be highlighted, and youth will also have a special role in sharing reflections via the WCC blog and through other means. “We have seen the critical role churches have played and continue to play in all the areas of the human condition affected by COVID-19: mental, physical, economical, spiritual, and environmental,” said Rev.Dr Odair Pedroso Mateus, interim WCC deputy General Secretary. “With this week of prayer, we hope to help share the stories that allow us to grieve and keep us inspired to continue to act with solidarity and impact.” More information and resources for the Week of Prayer Download social media cards you may use to illustrate your prayers. See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 350 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 550 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC acting general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca, from the Orthodox Church in Romania. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches 150 route de Ferney Geneve 2 1211 Switzerland