Thought for the Week - 14th January 2024

Dear Friends, 

This week sees the beginning of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, 18th January-25th January, and this year the theme comes from the churches in Burkina Faso in West Africa and focuses on the Parable of the Good Samaritan, asking the question, ‘Who is my Neighbour?’. Dr Nicola Brady, General Secretary of Churches Together in Britain and Ireland, introducing the theme writes, ‘In choosing this passage of Scripture… the churches of Burkina Faso have invited us to join with them in a process of self-reflection as they consider what it means to love our neighbour in the midst of a security crisis. The parable of the Good Samaritan is one of the best known passages of Scripture, yet one that never seems to lost its power to challenge indifference to suffering and to inspire solidarity. It is a story about crossing boundaries that calls our attention to the bonds that unite the whole human family… In this week, the Church is being challenged to stop and tend to the wounded and, in so doing, to recognise our own wounds as churches and communities. Facing the reality of our own brokenness helps to connect us to the suffering of others from a place of humility and deep empathy, creating a sacred space of encounter inspired by Christ’s healing love’. You can find the WPCU 2024 material and use the reflections for each of the days by going to https://ctbi.org.uk/resources-for-week-of-prayer-for-christian-unity-2024/ and following the link to the resource titled, ‘Go and do likewise’.  

Grace and peace,

Neil

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