WUNRN
The
annual joint YWCA-YMCA Week of Prayer and World Fellowship will be held from
November 9 - 15, 2009. http://www.worldywca.org/World-YWCA/Communications/Prayer-Booklet/Week-of-prayer-2009-booklet
World YWCA & YMCA Week of Prayer
Striving for Global Citizenship for All
For over a century the YWCA and YMCA movements have
issued a joint call to prayer in the second week of November as an important
reminder of the spiritual vision to create a better world for all people. This
year, the theme ‘Striving for Global Citizenship for All’ presents an
opportunity for reflection on what makes good citizens, and how our
contribution as individuals and a movement can create a safe and secure world.
“The World YWCA purpose speaks to the essence of promoting and recognising women and girls as global citizens, with responsibility towards achieving justice, peace, human dignity, health and care for the environment. Global citizenship recognises that individual women and men, girls and boys are actors not only in their community but also in the world at large,” says World YWCA General Secretary Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda. “ The Christian foundation of the YWCA enables us to practice today that which has always been the message of love and good neighbourliness in our scriptures.”
Gumbonzvanda believes global citizenship is
about leadership for the common good. “A global citizen has a deep awareness of
the world around them, the blessings and gifts that enrich human life and
perspectives and which requires our protection and preservation of the good.”
The Week of Prayer offers members of the
YWCA and YMCA movements an opportunity to recommit to positive action for human
dignity, justice and peace. “I hope YWCAs will continue to observe the Week of
Prayer with solemn reflection, collective sharing and moments of building a
strong foundation for action. Building on this spiritual reflection, YWCAs are
encouraged to listen to the inspiration from within and speak out. Speak out
and sing with acclamation about the good things and positive developments in
our lives and our communities, but also speak out about injustices,
discrimination and the degrading nature of violence against women. Speak out on
the need for safe spaces for women and girls and especially young women.”
Gumbonzvanda believes the Christian basis of the YWCA is the anchor of the movement’s value base. “The Christian identity has fostered opportunities for collective action with others equally inspired by their faith traditions to seek and contribute towards a world that respects global citizenship and that reduces the pain and suffering derived from an unequal world.”
Download the Week of Prayer 2009 Booklet:
Week
of Prayer 2009 - ENGLISH.pdf (1.49 MB)
Week
of Prayer 2009 - FRENCH.pdf (1.55 MB)
Week
of Prayer 2009 - SPANISH.pdf (1.53 MB)
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