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I really think we put a smile on God’s face when we come together during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. The more people do it, the better understanding we will have of one another as we truly are – as brothers and sisters in Christ.
About the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is an annual global ecumenical celebration (traditionally held January 18 – 25 in the northern hemisphere). Christians around the world are invited to pray for the unity of all Christians, to reflect on scripture together, to participate in jointly organized ecumenical services, and to share fellowship.
Each year, the Canadian Writing and Animation Team for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity develops WPCU resources for Canadian churches. Its members contextualize international materials (developed by the World Council of Churches and the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity) and produce original resources.
Along with stories and photos from Canadian celebrations of WPCU, these helpful resources are housed on the dedicated Week of Prayer for Christian Unity website which is maintained in partnership among The Canadian Council of Churches, The Canadian Centre for Ecumenism and The Prairie Centre for Ecumenism.
Current Program Priorities (2025)
Historical Highlights
The observance of the “Church Unity Octave” is initiated by the Rev. Paul Wattson, founder of the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement in Graymoor, NY.
The Faith and Order movement begins publishing “Suggestions for an Octave of Prayer for Christian Unity”.
Unité Chrétienne (Lyons, France) and the Faith and Order Commission of the World Council of Churches begin co-operative preparation of materials for the Week of Prayer.
An ecumenical team from Canada prepares international WPCU resources on the theme of “Has Christ been divided? (1 Cor 1:1-17)”
Recommended Resources Developed by the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
Resources for 2025 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
Download a full package of international and Canadian resources for 2025 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, including tips for organizing an ecumenical celebration, Eight Days of Prayer Bible Study, and resources for Campus Ministry.
Liturgies for Christian Unity: The First Hundred Years, 1908-2008
To commemorate the centenary of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in 2008, the Commission on Faith and Witness of the CCC sponsored the preparation and publication of Liturgies for Christian Unity: The First Hundred Years, 1908-2008, with prayers and texts from WPCU over the past 100 years, and ideas for ecumenical liturgies and prayer gatherings of all forms and sizes.
Members of the WPCU Writing and Animation Team
- Rev. Elly Boersma – Christian Reformed Church in North America
- Rev. Andrea Budgey – Anglican Church of Canada
- Rev. Roberta Howey – United Church of Canada, chair
- Dr. Anne Jamieson – Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops
- Very Rev. Dr. Geoffrey Ready – Orthodox Church in America
- Rev. Ann Stainton – Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
- Dr. Denitsa Tsvetkova – Canadian Centre for Ecumenism representative
- Rev. Tuula Van Gaasbeek – Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada