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World Day of Prayer is held once a year, always the first Friday in
March. Each year women in a different country plan the program. Some men
attend. All denominations participate, including Roman Catholic.
One or two from many (any) churches form the planning committee. We
enjoy spending that time together every year, renewing fellowship.
When I was in India in my last station teaching nurses and broadening
their public health outreach nursing, I attended a Church of North India
church (which was originally a British Baptist mission). I noticed that
there was an afternoon midweek fellowship group, attended by old ladies,
but nothing for working women in the evening. I also noticed that there
were many Christian professional women, even librarians, college
professors and doctors.
I lived with the English lady doctor. At
Christmas time she received gifts of cakes from perhaps 50 people
including Rotary Club members. She was a member.
I suggested to her that we have an evening
tea party at her bungalow, for professional and other working women. She
agreed.
We chose 5 PM Friday. We asked the church Peon (messenger) to delivery
an invitation to every woman. About 30 came and we had a short
devotional program and lots of sharing, chatter and food.
Then I asked “Shall me meet again once or twice a month?” The resounding
reply was “once a week”.
They chose the same time and place. We elected an executive. Enthusiasm
and good programs continued.
We connected with the WFCS (Women’s Fellowship for Christian Service)
headquarters in New Delhi.
They sent us literature about the World
Day of Prayer. I told the ladies that I had participated for years in
several parts of Canada.
They quickly translated and printed it in Oriya, the official language
of their province. That year, the church was full on the first Friday in
March 1981.
The program had been prepared by Indigenous Women in Canada. It included
turning in a circle, stopping to pray in each direction.
They omitted that but loved the witnessing and prayers.
This year Philippine women prepared the program beautifully.
What: World Day of Prayer
When: Friday March 3 at 1.00 PM
Where: At Eden Mennonite Church, 46551 Chilliwack Central Road at
Broadway
Theme: “Am I Being Unfair To You?” Prepared in the Philippines.
Price: Free
For more information, visit Eden Mennonite
Church
here or email Myrtle here.
All Men, Women and Youth welcome. Please
join us!

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