On Friday afternoon all eyes will be on Zimbabwe.
About 170 communities around the world will unite to pray for the southern African country, including Langley.
World Day of Prayer takes place globally each year on the first Friday of March, according to Marie Paulhus, a service coordinator for this year’s event in Langley.
“Every year it’s a different country that writes up the service, usually the women of that country,” Paulhus explained. “This year it is the women of Zimbabwe.”
The World Day of Prayer Committee of Zimbabwe prepared this year’s service to highlight relevant issues affecting women and children in the southern African country.
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There are two services taking place in the community on Friday.
In Langley, it will be hosted at the St. Nicholas Catholic Church (20675 87 Ave.) on Friday at 1 p.m.
Also, St. Dunstan’s Anglican Church (3025 264th St.) is listed on the Women’s Inter-Church Council of Canada – the organizing committee – website (wicc.org/world-day-of-prayer) as a location for a World Day of Prayer service.
“After the service last year we volunteered to host,” said Paulhus.
During the selection process Paulhus was surprised to learn about the number of churches in the community.
“Did you know there are almost 60 churches in Langley? We found out through this [process],” Paulhus laughed.
Organizers of the service still hope to secure a guest speaker who is a native of Zimbabwe and can share more insight.
Those interested in speaking during the service can contact Paulhus at 604-510-8456 or Ursula Fontenay at 604-533-3139.
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“It’s really, really good. It’s a community thing, and like I say, I found out there were churches that I didn’t know about here,” Paulhus added.
World Day of Prayer is not considered to be a religious service, Paulhus noted. She said the event is for everyone.
“After [the one hour service] we will all go to the dining room next door… for refreshments, because that’s part of it too, the socialization,” she said.
About 150 people attended last year’s service held at St. Joseph Catholic Church.
Next year’s prayer will be prepared by Vanuatu, a country in the south Pacific Ocean.
Once this year’s service concludes a different church will volunteer to host the 2021 prayer for Vanuatu.
@JotiGrewal_
joti.grewal@blackpress.ca
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