WCC > Programmes > Unity, mission, evangelism and spirituality > Spirituality and worship

Spirituality and worship in ecumenical context

Worship - including sacramental life, prayer and Bible study - is integral to the life of the churches and the search for unity. This project encourages traditional and newer expressions of spirituality in the churches and explores how these relate to their search for unity.

It develops and gathers materials for worship, and encourages theological reflection on the significance of worship and spiritual life in ecumenical contexts, building on earlier WCC and ecumenical work in these areas.

Tools for analysis and reflection include consultations and use of the Internet to collect and share information on worship and spiritual life practices. Professional expertise in the fields of worship, spiritual life and communication are enlisted to produce materials that are accessible to the churches.

This project also takes advantage of opportunities for common worship and common prayer with member churches and ecumenical partners (while bearing in mind the recommendations from the Special Commission on Orthodox Participation in the WCC).

Relationships with renewal communities and with the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity ensure sensitivity in dealing with treasured texts, symbols and practices from a wide variety of Christian traditions.

Joint (with the RCC) preparation of the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity materials focuses on creative ways of using them at a local church level. Plans are being made for celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the Week of Prayer in 2008.

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Jointly prepared and published by the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity and the Commission on Faith and Order of the World Council of Churches
This letter and report are not "official statements" of the WCC, the Faith and Order Commission, or any of their member churches. It is the record of a gathering of experts from a wide variety of Christian traditions, churches, and regions of the world at a Faith and Order Consultation in Ditchingham, England, August 1994.

 
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Intellectual Property Rights, Copyright, and Christian Churches. Churches are struggling with the complexity of copyright laws anf the restrictions they face when they want to use liturgical resources.

In God's Hands

In God's Hands offers valuable aids for intercessory prayer, prayer on behalf of and in solidarity with others. This book includes prayers and other worship materials from, many Christians traditions and communities, enabling the reader to journey in prayer through each week of the year and through all the regions and countries of the world.

 
Related activities
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
At least once a year, many Christians become aware of the great diversity of ways of adoring God.
Ecumenical Prayer Cycle
This online version of the Ecumenical Prayer Cycle invites us to journey in prayer through every region of the world and through every week of the year affirming our solidarity with Christians all over the world.