Ecumenical Prayer for Christian Unity tonight at Assumption College

Worcester’s annual Ecumenical Prayer for Christian Unity will be held Friday, Feb. 12 at Assumption College.
Prior to the Prayer, a social reception will take place at 6 p.m. in the Lauring Community Room of the Tinsley Campus Ministry Center.  All are invited to the reception and asked to bring personal care items to assist the refugees who are among our newest neighbors in Worcester: shampoo, soap, deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste, toilet paper.
Christians of all denominations are invited to participate in the social reception and the Ecumenical Prayer.  The reception will conclude with a candlelight procession into the Chapel for the Ecumenical Prayer at 7 p.m.  Free parking is available next to the Chapel of the Holy Spirit.
This annual event, which was started by Assumption College President Francesco Cesareo shortly after he arrived at Assumption, brings together Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox Christians in a celebration of their common baptism and faith and in prayer for the unity of all Christians.  Ecumenical dialogue and support for Christian unity have been hallmarks of the Augustinians of the Assumption, the Catholic religious community which founded and continues to sponsor the college.
This year’s Ecumenical Prayer is based on the service prepared by the World Council of Churches for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.  It will be co-led by Rev. Conway Campbell (Pastor of Grace Baptist Church in Shrewsbury and Dean of Campus Life at Assumption College) and Rev. Meredyth Wessman Ward (Urban Missioner in Worcester for the Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts).
Other church leaders who will be present include Bishop McManus, Greek Orthodox Metropolitan Methodios, Lutheran Bishop James Hazelwood, Episcopal Bishop Douglas Fisher, and United Methodist Bishop Sudarshana Devadhar.  Music will be led by the Assumption College Chapel Choir and the Hispanic Choir of St. Joan of Arc Church in Worcester.
This year’s Ecumenical Prayer will include a collection to support the work of Ascentria Care Alliance in assisting refugees who are settling in Worcester.