On June 5, 2021, The Canadian Council of Churches—in partnership with The Canadian Centre for Ecumenism and The Prairie Centre for Ecumenism—were pleased to host an online, cross-Canada celebration of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity entitled “Abide in My Love (John 15:5-9).”
Church leaders representing 12 Christian traditions offered prayers and Scripture readings. Our homilists, His Eminence Gérald Cyprien Cardinal Lacroix, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Québec and Primate of Canada and The Rev. Michael Blair (link to homily vid), General Secretary, General Council, The United Church of Canada, reminded us of the necessity of Christian unity and cooperation in Canada, especially as we grapple with the truth of Canada’s ongoing colonial history. The Sisterhood of St. John the Divine, Anglican Church of Canada, shared a powerful action of peace to represent our desire to draw close to God and to each other. And The Canadian Staff Band of The Salvation Army sent us off with the perfect balance of quiet contemplation and rousing celebration.
Several videos from this inspiring event are now available!
- Video of the service in its entirety: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBldCsFpq2g&t=19s
- Video of His Eminence Gérald Cyprien Cardinal Lacroix’s (French) homily: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CIjm6TvgyvQ
- Video of The Rev. Michael Blair’s (English) homily: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbcan-D_p34
Thank you to all who participated in our June 5 cross-Canada prayer service for Christian unity! We are grateful to have had this chance to gather with many of you to express the unity we already share and in the hope of answering more fully Christ’s prayer that we may all be one.