Thanks so much for reading this month’s news from The Initiative, a community committed to “walking in deeper friendship with Jesus and his followers, so that the love of Christ might exceed all divisions.” We do this primarily through prayer, sharing of our lives, and proactive work for greater unity.
It’s January, so this month’s update has an important video reflection on the challenge to be radically curious in 2025. I’d love to engage with any of you who are interested in a deeper conversation about this! This month we’re also focused on the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, a global event that’s been taking place annually between January 18th and 25th for over a century. Look below for ways that you can engage during this important week.
What if we made 2025 a year of “radical curiosity”? I’m curious what you think about that. Watch the video by clicking on the picture and then let me know!
Resources for the Week of Prayer
It’s now a tradition of The Initiative, right before the week of prayer begins, to gather as a community online to pray for God to be stirring up love, friendship, action and dependence throughout the whole body of Christ in the next eight days. Please join us on Zoom on Thursday evening the 17th at 8:30pm (eastern time) for 30 minutes of structured and extemporaneous prayer for the upcoming Week of Prayer.
We also have a new page on our website dedicated to the week, where you can download the daily prayer guide and litany to use by yourself or with a small group of folks.
Join in one of the prayer liturgies – or host an informal prayer gathering with other Christians
Here are some of the dates, times, and locations for WPCU prayer services that members and friends of The Initiative will be a part of (in chronological order):
- Darien, CT (suburban NYC) – Saturday, January 18 @11am, Noroton Presbyterian Church, 2011 Post Rd. Darien, CT
- Los Angeles – Saturday, January 18 @ 3pm, Hollywood Church of Christ, 600 N Rossmore Avenue, Los Angeles, CA
- Chicago (city) – Saturday, January 18 @ 5pm, Living Word Community Church, 5407 S. Hyde Park Blvd. Chicago, IL
- Boston (greater city) – Thursday, January 23 @ 7:30pm, New City Church, 1135 Walnut St. Newton Highlands, MA
- Tucson, AZ – Thursday, January 23 @ 6:30pm, Redemptorist Renewal Center, 7101 W. Picture Rocks Rd. Tucson, AZ
- Chicago (suburbs) – Sunday, January 26 @ 7pm, St. Michael Catholic Church, 310 S. Wheaton Avenue, Wheaton, IL
- St. Louis – Sunday, January 26 @ 7-8pm, St. Monica Catholic Church, 12140 Olive Blvd. Creve Coeur, MO
- Boston (suburbs) – Sunday, January 26 @ 7pm, The Sanctuary, 249 Wood St. Hopkinton, MA
Don’t know of a prayer gathering in your area? Host a small group of your friends for a more informal prayer time or commit to praying daily on your own for each of the eight days. Use the daily prayer guide and litany linked above, or go to the Graymoor site and download their prayer liturgy and daily prayer guide.
Save the dates on your calendar and plan to join us for these three days in suburban Chicago (very close to O’Hare) in June. Don’t let cost be a barrier; we’re committed to helping you be there!
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