2017 January PASO Magazine

ROUND TOWN
WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY
JANUARY 18-25
“For the love of Christ urges us on, because we are
convinced that one has died for all; therefore all have
died. And He died for all, so that those who live
might live no longer for themselves, but for Him who
died and was raised for them.
“From now on, therefore, we regard no one from
a human point of view; even though we once knew
Christ from a human point of view, we know Him
no longer in that way. So, if anyone is in Christ, there is a
new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything
has become new! All this is from God, who reconciled us to
Himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation;
that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world
to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and
entrusting the message of reconciliation to us. So, we are ambassadors
for Christ, since God is making His appeal through
us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”
~ 2 Corinthians 5:14-20
From January 18-25, churches in Paso Robles,
San Miguel, Templeton and Atascadero will gather
each evening to pray together in a Week of Prayer for
Christian Unity. Now in its 17th year, the North San
Luis Obispo County gatherings will begin on Tuesday
and conclude on the following Tuesday evening.
The services will focus on a specific area of prayer
at each fellowship with an accompanying scripture
reading. Meetings begin at 7 p.m. at all locations.
The theme for 2017 is “Reconciliation – the love of Christ compels
us,” based on scripture found in 2 Corinthians 5:14-20. The Week
of Prayer, which is really an octave, carries biblical significance for
Christians in that scripture describes how God created the earth in
seven days. The eighth day, however, signals a completeness, or the reign
of God in which all will live in peace.
Eight churches will host prayer services each evening. Following the services,
a time of fellowship will also be offered along with refreshments.
“It is an opportunity to remember that, despite our different denominations,
we are one family. The spirit of Christ that united us is greater than
any of our divisions, said Sister Loretta Guevarra, former coordinator for
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. “Everyone is encouraged to join in all
eight services, so that all can pray together in a spirit of unity.”
Gaylo Elston, who is helping to coordinate this year’s gatherings, said,
“Our intention is to make a reality of what Jesus prayed for believers in John
17:21, ‘that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you,
may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that You have sent me.’”
The tradition to gather the Christian community to prayer began in
1908 by founding director Father Paul Wattson, SA, who co-founded
the Graymoor Franciscan Friars in Garrison, New York. The intent of
the meetings is to pray in communion with Jesus’ prayer recorded in
Bible scripture, “that they all may be one” ( John 17:21).
Rev. Thomas Orians, SA, Associate Director of the Graymoor Ecumenical
& Interreligious Institute (GEII) said, “The year 2017 is the
occasion of the 500th anniversary year of the beginnings of the Reformation.
The theme has been selected in consideration of this anniversary.
The materials for the 2017 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity has
two accents: reflection upon the main concerns of the churches marked
by Martin Luther’s Reformation and recognition of the pain caused by
the subsequent deep divisions that afflicted the unity of the Church.
BY MELISSA CHAVEZ
‘RECONCILIATION –
THE LOVE OF CHRIST COMPELS US’
17 TH ANNUAL ‘WEEK OF PRAYER FOR
CHRISTIAN UNITY’ JOINS AREA FAITHFUL
In selecting this theme, it is viewed as an opportunity
to take steps toward reconciliation.”
“The theme for the Week of Prayer for
Christian Unity 2017 finds its scriptural
context in 2 Corinthians. 5:14,” said Rev.
Orians. “This year’s theme finds its origins
in Pope Francis’ 2013 Apostolic Exhortation
Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel);
in Paragraph 9, Pope Francis used the quote: “The
Love of Christ urges us on.”
The Council of Churches in Germany, a committee
comprised of ten members representing different
churches which created the resources for the 2017
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, met three times
in 2014-2015 to develop the necessary texts. The
materials for 2017 will place a particular emphasis
on the ecumenical (interdenominational) worship
service for the Week, while at the same time commemorating
the Lutheran Reformation.
For 2017, the biblical text underscores that reconciliation
is intended for the entire creation as a gift
from God. “God was reconciling the world (kosmos)
to God’s self in Christ, not counting people’s sins
against them. And He has committed to us the message
of reconciliation” (verse 19). As a result of God´s
action, those who have been reconciled in Christ are
called in turn to proclaim this reconciliation in word
and deed: “The love of Christ compels us.”
Gaylo Elston is optimistic about the Week of Prayer gatherings and their
potential to our neighboring communities. She added, “Not only are we
hoping to accomplish more understanding, love and service among churches
of various denominations all throughout the world, but beyond the coming
year in the course of our daily lives – right where we live.”
SCHEDULE OF MEETINGS
1/18: Bethel Lutheran Church • 295 Old County Road, Templeton
Reading: One has died for all (2 Cor 5:14)
1/19: Saint Williams Catholic Parish • 6410 Santa Lucia, Atascadero
Reading: Live no longer for themselves (2 Cor. 5:15)
1/20: San Miguel Mission • 775 Mission Street, San Miguel
Reading: We regard no one from a human point of view (2 Cor. 5:16)
1/21: Saint Rose Catholic Church • 820 Creston Road, Paso Robles
Reading: Everything old has passed away (2 Cor. 5:17)
1/22: St. Luke’s Episcopal Church • 5318 Palma Avenue, Atascadero
Reading: Everything has become new (2 Cor. 5:17)
1/23: Family Praise & Worship Center at Life Community Church
3771 Ruth Way #A, Paso Robles
Reading: God Reconciled us to Himself (2 Cor. 5:18)
1/24: United Methodist Church • 11605 El Camino Real, Atascadero
Reading: The ministry of reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-19)
1/25: St. James Episcopal Church • 1335 Oak Street, Paso Robles
Reading: Reconciled to God (2 Cor. 5:20)
The community is invited to participate in this special opportunity of
communal prayer. For more information, call the Mission San Miguel
Parish office at 467-2131.
January 2017, PASO Magazine 29