Posted on Jan 15, 2008

For the eighth year, North County Christians will meet each evening from January 18th to 25th for a Week of Prayer together. Each evening prayer service will last approximately one hour, followed by a short reception. This is a worldwide observance. There is an even bigger reason for celebration this year ---for it is the event’s centennial year of Christian unity held in the United States. The annual “Week of Prayer” began in 1908 at Graymoor, Garrison, New York. In 1966, the Faith and Order Commission of the World Council of Churches and the Vatican Council for Promoting Christian Unity began collaborating on a common International text for world-wide usage. Since 1968 these international texts, based on themes proposed by ecumenical groups throughout the world, have been developed, adapted and published for use in the United States by the Graymoor Ecumenical and Inter-religious Institute. Each year a theme and texts for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity are initially prepared by an international group, whose members are appointed by the Faith and Order Commission of World Council of Churches and the Vatican Council for Promoting Christian Unity. Based on this work, the Graymoor, New York Ecumenical and Inter-religious Institute prepares the resources for the observance of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in the United States. This is the basic material used by the Christian Churches united for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. North County Christian Churches have been united in this effort for eight years. Everyone is invited to participate during the Week of January 18th to the 25th each evening at these locations: *Fri.Jan. 18^th at 7p.m. at Community Church of Atascadero*, 5850 Rosario Avenue, Atascadero. *Sat.Jan.19^th : 10A.M.-4p.m. A “Labyrinth Walk” at First United Methodist Church* of Paso Robles. : Hwy 46 East, left at Golden Hill Road, left on Dallones Rd. Tent on right side of road. * Sun. Jan 20^th at 3:00p.m.: St. Williams Catholic Church*,6410 Santa Lucia Rd., Atascadero. **There will be a grand centennial celebration with honored guests: His Excellency Bishop Richard Garcia- Bishop of Catholic Diocese of Monterey; The Rev.Dean W. Nelson, Bishop of Southwest California Synod (LCA) Bethel Lutheran Church; Rev. Dr. Ken Working, Executive Presbyter of Santa Barbara Presbytery Goleta,CA; and The Rev. Dr. Ruben F. Tate Jr., Second Baptist Church Paso Robles. *Mon. Jan. 21^st at 7p.m. Mission San Miguel*, 775 Mission St., San Miguel. *Tues Jan. 22^nd at 7p.m. Presbyterian Church of Templeton*, 610 S. Main St. Templeton. *Wed. Jan 23^rd * *at 7 p.m. Second Baptist Church,* 1937 Riverside Ave., Paso Robles *Thurs. Jan. 24^th at 7p.m. Family Worship Center*, 616 Creston Road, Paso Robles *Fri. Jan.25^th at 5:30 p.m., there will be a free supper in the Parish Hall to those interested in attending, preceding the hour-long observance at 7pm. St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church*, 820 Creston Road, Paso Robles. Sister Loretta of Mission San Miguel, the event’s coordinator believes “This is our effort to make Jesus Christ’s desire come true: “*That they all may be One, as you Father, and I are One…”* John 17:21.” Each evening a collection will be taken that will benefit the poor of Paso Robles and Atascadero “Loaves and Fishes”. Those that want to leave a donation by check, make your checks payable to “Loaves and Fishes”. We are all united in prayer under one roof. All the Christian Churches invite you! For more information please call Sr. Loretta Guevarra at 467-2131 or (cell) 610-5849.