The Ecumenical Year
While the challenge of being Churches together is to share our common life, to do things ecumenically rather than to do ecumenical things as an added extra, nevertheless, the reality is that many Churches Together Groups find that some of the activities below give them life and are key to deepening the relationship between them. We've therefore gathered together resources to help you do some of these as well as possible.
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The week of prayer for Christian Unity
(18-25 January)
The Churches in Britain and Ireland come together to produce common resources based on internationally agreed material. Use the search box on CTBI's website to find it.
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Holocaust Memorial Day
Holocaust Memorial Day is marked each year on 27th January – the anniversary of the date of the liberation of Nazi death camp Auschwitz-Birkenau. Material will also be available from CTBI. Use the search box on their website.
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Racial Justice Sunday
Observed since 1995, this now takes place in February (having previously been celebrated on the second Sunday of September). Some churches celebrate it at other times of year. Churches Together in Britain and Ireland offers resources for a special Sunday and a year's worth of materials suitable for use in congregations, house groups, schools and other settings. Use the search box on their website to find what you need.
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Women's World Day of Prayer
A global, ecumenical movement of informed prayer and prayerful action, organised and led by Christian women who call the faithful together on the first Friday in March each year. Visit www.wwdp.org.uk/
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Lent Groups
Churches Together in Britain and Ireland produce material for Lent groups every two years. Find it by using the search box on their website.
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Good Friday Walk of Witness
Many Churches Together Groups organise a walk of witness on Good Friday. If you are doing this, ensure you have adequate insurance cover.
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Thy Kingdom Come
Thy Kingdom Come is a global prayer movement that invites Christians around the world to pray for more people to come to know Jesus. It takes place each year between Ascension Day and Pentecost Sunday. Visit their website at www.thykingdomcome.global
Christian Aid week
Very often, collecting for Christian Aid in a neighbourhood is done ecumenically. Visit www.christianaid.org.uk/getinvolved/christianaidweek/
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Children's summer holiday club
Summer holiday clubs are a great opportunity to connect with local families. If you are organising one of these, remember that you don't just need adequate insurance but you also need to put the correct child protection measures in place.
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Education Sunday
For well over a hundred years, Education Sunday has been a national day of prayer and celebration for everyone in the world of education. It now takes place on the second Sunday of September, tying in with the new academic year. Each year, the theme is devised by an ecumenical steering group representing different Christian denominations and organisations. Access the Education Sunday web area.
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One World Week
An opportunity in October (the week containing the 24th, United Nations Day) for people from diverse backgrounds to come together to learn about global justice, to spread that learning and to use it to take action for justice locally and globally.
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Remembrance Sunday
Churches Together in Britain and Ireland collate resources each year - find them using the search box on CTBI's website.
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Advent
Each year Action of Churches Together in Scotland publishes reflections for Advent. You can download them from its website.
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