Women's World Day of Prayer

This month – on the first Friday in March - women in our local churches will join with millions of others around the world with one aim in mind - to pray. The Women's World Day of Prayer has in recent years become a global, ecumenical movement of informed prayer and prayerful action, organised and led by Christian women.

The service is written by a different country each year and that country then becomes the focus of the world's prayers on the day itself. It begins as dawn breaks over the islands of Tonga in the Pacific and continues across each continent until the last services of this special day are held back in the Pacific, on the islands of Samoa, circling the world in prayer for 36 hours.

By then the day will have been celebrated in over 170 countries and over 5,000 services will have been held in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The origins of Women's World Day of Prayer date back to the late nineteenth century when Christian women in the USA and Canada began a variety of activities in support of women's involvement in mission, at home and abroad. But it was not until the 1930s that Women’s World Day of Prayer services began in Britain.

This year 2011 the worship material has been prepared by the women of Chile. Its theme, ‘How many loaves have you?’, is appropriate as bread is eaten at every meal in Chile, and is very much part of everyday life.

Although organised and led by women, this is essentially a day of prayer for everybody, as Christians demonstrate their solidarity with ‘sisters and brothers’ in other countries. So - all are welcome to attend! See the panel on page 3 for details of local meetings.

Women's World Day of Prayer 2011

“How Many Loaves Have You?”

Friday 4 March 2011, 10:30 a.m.

at Christ Church, Epsom

The Speaker will be Avril Shipton

A Creche will be provided, and

refreshments will be available after the Service

The Church will then remain open until

3.30 - 4.30 p.m. — Tea and Bible study

led by Pam Buckingham

5.00 p.m. — Evening Prayer Service

This year’s material is written by the women of Chile.　

This Service is open to all, it is not restricted to the Ladies!