World Day of Prayer for Zimbabwe

World Day of Prayer for Zimbabwe

Rosanne Fortier News Correspondent

Holy Trinity Ukrainian Catholic Church presented a worship service for World Day of Prayer (WDP) 2020 on March 6.

The WDP is a worldwide ecumenical service led by women. A different country is chosen every year, and the 2020 WDP Country was Zimbabwe and the theme was Rise! Take Your Mat and Walk.

Members of the different churches in Vegreville led the prayers, hymns, and read the letters from Zimbabwe, which is a country located in the heart of southern Africa. It is a country rich in natural resources such as coal, gold, platinum, copper, nickel, tin, clay, and diamonds. Yet, they explained there is unemployment in their communities where many of the households are headed by women, who have nothing to feed their families. It was also noted that the majority of the Zimbabwe population is Christian.

Colleen Pomeroy gives a reading in her African attire.

(Rosanne Fortier/photo)

At the closing of the service, Ardythe Butler, a woman who lived in Africa for a few years and adopted an abandoned Ethiopian baby who is now 27-years-old spoke about how it is our job to welcome people in. “I have lived in Africa and I was very lonely when I first moved as I didn’t know anybody. I think a part of making Canada, Canada is inviting people in and showing our faith by welcoming people into our homes and sharing with other people and remembering that Jesus, Himself was a refugee for part of His life.”

After the service, African type refreshments were served to participants. There were items from Zimbabwe on display. Elsie Kawulych showcased items from her trip to the African countries of Uganda and Kenya Africa.

This 2020 service was written by The World Day of Prayer Committee of Zimbabwe.