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All Saints, Sunday November 1, 2009 Celebrating West Virginia's Ecumenical Saints All Saints Day Remembering and Celebrating the Ecumenical Saints of As the church celebrates the saints that have “gone on before us” on Sunday, November 1, I pause to mention some of the ecumenical saints who worked in their lifetime for Christian unity in We thank God for their gift to each of us. As you read over my very partial list, please contact me to add another (dsparks@wvcc.org) I am thinking of people who worked both under the auspices of the state council or the local ministerial association. Professor Byrd Prillerman The Rev. Dr. Charles E. Crank, Jr. The Rev. Paul J. Gilmer, Sr. The Most Rev. Bishop Joseph H. Hodges. D.D. Bishop Robert P. Atkinson Betty A. Roberts Faye Spradlin Council of Churches Executives William Clement Shaffer A.T. Arnold Walter A. Snow Reverend E. W. Halpenny Reverend A.B. Edworthy Dr. Samuel Charles Jones Dr. F. E. Brininstool Reverend Z. B. Edworthy Dr. Ivan M. Gould Dr. Garrett T.Chandler Reverend Carl R. Key Reverend Russell H. McConnell Dr. Elmer E. Direrks The Rev. John F. Price Church Women United Leaders Mrs. James Laird Mrs. George Best Mabel High Mrs. Andrew Gardner Virginia Cook Elizabeth Barth Mary Catherine Maynor Mrs. Fern Gregorie Mrs. Lois Montoya Winnie Kerns Sue Stewart Nina Cantrell Previous Items August 24, 2010 Prayers for the People and Families of Pakistan Since the world learned of the floods now devastating Pakistan, conditions have worsened dramatically. As of August 23, the Pakistani government estimates that 17.2 million people are affected by the floods — more than the Haiti earthquake, the 2005 South Asia earthquake, and the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami combined. August 24, 2010 Jewish High Holy Days Rosh Hahanah , September 9-10, Yom Kippur, September 18, Sukkot Begins September 23 and extends 7 days.
August 11, 2010 Ramadan Holy Season of Ramadan for Islamic Community extends from August 11- September 9 All Saints, Sunday November 1, 2009 Celebrating West Virginia's Ecumenical Saints All Saints Day Remembering and Celebrating the Ecumenical Saints of As the church celebrates the saints that have “gone on before us” on Sunday, November 1, I pause to mention some of the ecumenical saints who worked in their lifetime for Christian unity in We thank God for their gift to each of us. As you read over my very partial list, please contact me to add another (dsparks@wvcc.org) I am thinking of people who worked both under the auspices of the state council or the local ministerial association. Professor Byrd Prillerman The Rev. Dr. Charles E. Crank, Jr. The Rev. Paul J. Gilmer, Sr. The Most Rev. Bishop Joseph H. Hodges. D.D. Bishop Robert P. Atkinson Betty A. Roberts Faye Spradlin Council of Churches Executives William Clement Shaffer A.T. Arnold Walter A. Snow Reverend E. W. Halpenny Reverend A.B. Edworthy Dr. Samuel Charles Jones Dr. F. E. Brininstool Reverend Z. B. Edworthy Dr. Ivan M. Gould Dr. Garrett T.Chandler Reverend Carl R. Key Reverend Russell H. McConnell Dr. Elmer E. Direrks The Rev. John F. Price Church Women United Leaders Mrs. James Laird Mrs. George Best Mabel High Mrs. Andrew Gardner Virginia Cook Elizabeth Barth Mary Catherine Maynor Mrs. Fern Gregorie Mrs. Lois Montoya Winnie Kerns Sue Stewart Nina Cantrell September 6, 2005 Three Prayers Prayer of St. Ephrem the Syrian
O Lord and Master of my life! Take from me the spirit of sloth, faint-heartedness, lust of power, and idle talk. But give rather the spirit of chastity, humility, patience, and love to Thy servant. Yea, Lord and King! Grant me to see my own errors and not to judge my brother, for Thou art blessed unto ages of ages. Amen. --traditional Orthodox Christian prayer, St Ephrem of Syria, A.D. 306-373 Prayer of St. Augustine Eternal God, you are the light of the minds that know you, the joy of the hearts that love you, and the strength of the wills that serve you. Grant us so to know you that we may truly love you, and so to love you that we may fully serve you, whom to serve is perfect freedom. --traditional Roman Catholic Christian prayer, St. Augustine of Hippo, A.D. 354-430 We Ask Not for Easy Lives O God, come to us, we pray thee, with the resources of thy power, that we may be strong within. We ask not for easy lives, but for adequacy. We ask not to be freed from storms, but to build our houses on rock that will not fall. We pray not for a smooth sea, but for a stout ship, a good compass, and a strong heart; in the name of him who faced enmity and death without flinching, thy Son Jesus Christ our Savior.. --traditional Protestant Christian prayer, Harry Emerson Fosdick, A.D. 1878-1969 October 13, 2008 For Help God of all the ages, in your sight nations rise and fall, and pass through times of peril. Now when our land is troubled, be near to judge and save. May leaders be led by your wisdom; may they search your will and see it clearly. If we have turned from your way, reverse our ways and help us to repent. Give us your light and your truth, let them guide us; through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of this world, and our Savior. Amen. (Presbyterian Worship Book, U.S.A., 20th Century, Alt.) August 19, 2008 September Prayer for Vocations Vocation
Lord of my life, I ask Your blessings on my daily life and especially my work. My work is good because Your hand is upon it. Do not let me turn my work to selfish purposes. Forgive me when I fail. Help me to remember that You are still Lord when I feel discouraged and useless or when I am tense and angry. Help me to remember You are still Lord when I am satisfied and pleased with my accomplishments. Take my work into Your own hands. Give blessings to all I do and say. Use what I accomplish as a blessing to others, for Jesus’ sake. Amen Lutheran Book of Prayer August 5, 2008 For All Affected by Injustice O God, we pray for all those in our world who are suffering from injustice: For those who are discriminated against because of their race, color, or religion; For those imprisoned for working for the relief of oppression; For those who are hounded for speaking the inconvenient truth; For those tempted to violence as a cry against overwhelming hardship; For those deprived of reasonable health and education; For those suffering from hunger and famine; For those too weak to help themselves and who have no one else to help them; For the unemployed who cry out for work but do not find it; We pray for anyone of our acquaintance who is personally affected by injustice. - Mother Teresa of Calcutta
June 30, 2008 Independence Day Prayer
God, source of all freedom,
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April 14, 2008 A Prayer Request For Orthodox Lenten and Easter (Paschal) Season March 20, 2008 A Call For Prayer Click here to read: A Call For Prayer. November 7, 2007 A Prayer for West Virginia's Democratic Party, Offered by The Reverend Dennis D. Sparks Click here to read: A Prayer for West Virginia's Democratic Party (PDF) January 9, 2006 Prayers and Comments Regarding the Sago Miners and Their Families Arriving at the office early Sunday morning to catch up on work before church, I checked contributions to the Sago Mine Assistance Fund coming in by credit card to the West Virginia Council of Churches. While the financial gifts are heartening in themselves (individual gifts ranging from $5 to $1,000), the comments, notes and prayers by some of the contributors are most healing.
These come from West Virginia, all over the U.S., and around the world. I offer them for meditation. (As some express anger and may be viewed as harsh, the W.Va. Council of Churches provides this disclaimer that these comments are those of contributors and not of the Council.) I have also included some comments received by e-mail at the end.
Blessings,
Dennis Sparks, Ex. Director
I used to work at the Sago tipple many years ago. I can't express my sorrow and sympathy enough to all of those involved. God bless!
Garland, Texas
Our Heart goes out to each of you. You Are part of our family of NASCAR Racing. Our prayers are with you.
Concord, North Carolina
Our hearts ache for these families -- we too cried at the tragic outcome. Please express our sympathy. -- A family from South Florida who love’s West Virginia and its great people.
Lighthouse Point, Florida
In sympathy and solidarity; a British Worker.
Glasgow, United Kingdom
I am the oldest grandchild of a Pennsylvania anthracite coal miner who died of black lung disease in 1966. It breaks my heart to see that 40 yrs later mining is still such a dangerous job. My love and prayers are with all the family members affected by this tragedy, I only wish I could do more.
Spring Hill, Florida
God bless the miners and their families. May He hold them in his arms and bring them all peace.
New York City, New York
Thank you for helping the miners' families with this service.
Winfield, West Virginia
We are so sorry....our hearts go out to you and your families. God Bless You All.
Poquoson, Virginia
Our hearts are with you.
Los Angeles, California
My heart goes out to the families of the miners. Please tell them that they're not alone.
West Bend, Wisconsin
I’m praying for the families.
Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
With deepest sympathy to the families of the lost Sago Miners from an Ex miner in Kent, England. Our thoughts are with you all.
Kent, England
My thoughts are with the Miners and their families.
Halifax, Virginia
I was one who went to bed with the good news and woke up to the anguishing realization that it had turned bad. This isn't much, but every little bit helps. This gift is accompanied by continued prayer.
Madison, Alabama
My heartfelt condolences to the families of these miners. May the Lord comfort them in their time of need.
Flagstaff, Arizona
God bless you.
Norfolk, Virginia
I pray for your families and may The Lord give you peace and help each and every one of you. God bless you all.
Crab Orchard, West Virginia
Our love and prayers to the families of the miners that lost their lives in the mine at Sago, WV.
Melrose, Florida
The families affected by this tragedy are in our thoughts and prayers.
Wilmington, Delaware
I am Welsh and come from generations of miners. My thoughts are with the families of the dead and the life of the sole survivor. Organizing is the only way to stop the murder of miners.
Farnborough, Hants, UK
Thank you for enabling those of us who aren't from West Virginia to help the families of the miners.
Springfield, Missouri
My thoughts and prayers are with the families. My husband was born and raised in Buckhannon and this tragedy has touched me in such a way.
Honolulu, Hawaii
My thoughts are with the families of the Sago Mine!
Maple Shade, New Jersey
For the families of the fallen miners. In memory of Lester "Jack" Swank, who sold auto parts in the area from MidWest Auto Supply, Columbus Ohio. Your community, the miners, and their families, are in our prayers daily.
Terre Haute, Indiana
God bless you all and know our hearts go out to you. A brother in Christ.
Warsaw, Indiana
I will be praying for everyone.
Charleston, West Virginia
Pennsylvania coal miner's son.
Gambrills, Maryland
From a coal miner's daughter...
Raleigh, North Carolina
We all grieve with you.
Lakewood, Colorado
Dear Sir,
I am sending you this email as I do not know who else to send it to.
I live in Nebraska and would like you to tell the families of the miners who died that I and my family are praying for them.
I feel so sad for them, and will keep them and there loved ones in my thoughts and prayers.
I also would like them to know that I feel that when a loved one passes, that they are closer to us than they could be physically, as they are now able to be with us spiritually.
That has brought me a lot of comfort in my life, and I hope it does for them.
May God bless them all!!
Thank you, and God bless you.
Lincoln, Nebraska
He was my Father and He was my Brother
He was a Husband to my Mother He was my Son and he was my Friend He loved me so much to the very end He worked so hard sometimes day and night He wanted to give me some of life’s delight He gave me strength and love with no ending He was my hope and my beginning He was my mountain of comfort and stride He was my courage that taught me pride He was a good American of the USA He fought for what’s right each and every day He believed in God our country, families and friends He believed in me never wavering to the end He was a Virginia Coal Miner and my Best Friend Virginia
From many of us in Louisiana, our prayers go out to the families and friends of the Sago Mine victims.
Louisiana June 30, 2006 Senator Obama Speaks on Religion and Politics and Jesus Thanks to the National Council of Churches for permission to print this speech. September 17, 2006 Season of Prayer for Middle East Peace Begins September 21 The West Virginia Council of Churches joins in the Season of Prayer for the Middle East Peace beginning on September 21, 2006. You are invited to join people of many faiths in prayer for the end of violence in the Middle East and a season of peace. We especially pray for our sisters and brothers in the holy cities of Bethlehem, Jerusalem, and Nazareth where Christians are often caught in the dispute between Muslims and Jews. We pray for our friends Micheal and Carmen Zoughbi and the many carvers and their families in the "Olive Woodcarving Project" who carve the ornate biblical characters and the nativity scenes. We pray for the people of Iraq caught in the violence that continues to destroy families and a way of life. We pray for the U.S. and soldiers from other countries serving in that country. We pray for the U.N. and the U.S and world powers seeking resolution to the Middle East crisis. For for more information visit seasonofprayer.org August 1, 2007 Christians Around the World to Pray for Peace on 21 September
This coming 21 September Christians from Congo to the US, and from Colombia to Switzerland to South Korea will join in prayers during the International Day of Prayer for Peace.
On that day, women at the Socopao Limete Presbyterian Church in the Democratic Republic of Congo - a country where a five-year war has claimed an estimated three million lives - will meet for fasting and prayer. They will not be alone. The congregation of the First Christian Church in Shelbyville, Indiana, US, will, too, pray for peace on that day.
In Colombia, the Ecumenical Network and the Evangelical Council of Colombia are planning to participate in the initiative. So do a small ecumenical prayer community of sisters in Switzerland and congregations belonging to the peace fellowship of the Presbyterian Church of the Republic of Korea.
These are but a few examples of how Christian communities worldwide are responding to the WCC's invitation to celebrate an International Day of Prayer for Peace on 21 September or the Sunday preceding or following it.
For 2007, the WCC office for the Decade to Overcome Violence (DOV) has made available prayer and liturgical resources developed in the context of this year's DOV focus on Europe and its theme "Make me an instrument of your peace".
The initiative was first proposed at a 2004 meeting between WCC general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia and the then UN secretary general Kofi Annan. The WCC's invitation to pray for peace on 21 September coincides with the United Nations International Day of Peace.
Resources and more information on the International Day of Prayer for Peace are available on the DOV website:
http://overcomingviolence.org/en/about-dov/international-day-of-prayer-for-peace.html
Additional information: Juan Michel,+41 22 791 6153 +41 79 507 6363 media@wcc-coe.org
© 2007 West Virginia Counsel of Churches
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