By Julie Godfrey Miller
Catholic Herald

World Day of Prayer marked in Amery

AMERY -- On March 4 Christians in 179 countries, around the world, held services to mark the annual World Day of Prayer. Each year the worship service is written by women from a different country and is based on a different theme. This year's service came from women of Poland, who are members of Baptist, Greek Catholic, Lutheran, Methodist, Old Catholic Mariavite, Orthodox, Polish Catholic, Reformed and Roman Catholic Churches. The theme was "Let Our Light Shine."

St. Joseph Church in Amery hosted one of the local services. Serving as readers and prayer leaders were women from St. Joseph, Amery; First Lutheran, Amery; Balsam Lutheran, Amery; Trinity Lutheran, Deronda; Deronda Lutheran, Deronda; Our Savior, Amery; Congregational, Amery; and Little Falls Lutheran, Little Falls.

The service of readings, prayers and hymns was held in the parish's worship space. It began with a welcome from the women of Poland, read aloud by local prayer leaders. Participants then wished each other the well-being that comes from God with the words, "Szczesc Boze," (May God bless you).

A collection was taken up during the service. The funds will be sent to Church Women United, which will distribute a portion to Poland for human services and social justice purposes, and will use some to help in times of global disasters. A portion will also be used to support ecumenical celebrations and the annual World Day of Prayer.

Following the offertory, prayer leaders lit small candles from a large candle that was burning near the altar. From there the flame was passed from person to person as each lit the candle of the next person. A leader read a prayer that reflected on the "light" -- gifts from God -- that everyone receives: "Drawing from the Great Light, let us give our light to others, so that no one will be left in the darkness."

Holding the lighted candles, the people all sang "This Little Light of Mine" and then once again exchanged the blessing, "Szczesc Boze."

The group moved to the social hall for the part of the service that included the blessing and sharing of bread sprinkled with salt.

The worship bulletin explained that in Poland bread and salt have been associated for many ages. Bread is at the same time ordinary, wonderful and sacred. Great power has been ascribed to salt.

The bulletin said: "Among Slavic peoples, and also in Poland, bread and salt are symbols for hospitality and friendship. So the women of Poland welcome us with bread and salt."

The morning concluded with coffee and a special Polish dessert.

According to the brochure published by the World Day of Prayer International Committee, the origins of the World Day of Prayer date to the 19th century when Christian women of the United States and Canada initiated a variety of cooperative activities in support of women's involvement in mission at home and in other parts of the world. In 1920 a joint day of prayer for missions was held by women in North America. The practice spread throughout the United States and Canada and in 1926 the first World Day of Prayer was held.

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© Superior Catholic Herald, 2005