WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY EVENTS
Churches Together in Ross-on-Wye and
District
In Ross, there will be an afternoon tea and short service on Sunday 18 January at The Venue, starting at 3pm.
During the following week there will be short (30 minute) prayer meetings as follows:
Monday 19 January, Noon, CLCR @ The Larruperz Centre
Tuesday 20 January, 6pm, St Mary’s Church
Wednesday 21 January, Noon, St Frances’ Church
Thursday 22 January, 7:30 pm, The Community Church (Henry Street)
Friday 23 January, Noon, Ross Baptist Church
Saturday 24 January, Noon, The Community Church (Henry Street)
All are welcome at all these events.
The Churches Together in Ross and District Annual General Meeting will be held on Monday 26 January 2026 at St Frances of Rome.
For fellowship 7:00 pm, for prayer 7:15 pm, meeting starts 7:30 pm
Churches Together in Hereford
On Wednesday 21 January, CTH will host a lunchtime service at Challenge Church. On Thursday 22 January, the Friends meeting House will host a lunchtime event. Friday 23 January, All Saints will host a lunchtime service at All Saints. St John’s Methodist will host an early evening service on Sunday 25 January. (Timings tbc.)
CBN UK
Volunteering Opportunity: Are you interested in helping those who are in need? Or do you feel a call to pastoral care? CBN UK are looking for volunteers for their prayer line!
“As part of our prayer and outreach efforts both locally and nationally, here at CBN UK, we are in a place of expansion and growth and are once again in need of volunteers for our Prayer Line. Our Churches are full of passionate people who love Jesus and people; people who can come alongside others, but also be part of a team that wants to see Jesus glorified in and through our city.”
To apply, please click on the link here: https://forms.office.com/e/NWKtbSbXUn?origin=lprLink
Spiritual Question Times
A series of evening events held locally with
Bishop Richard, providing an opportunity to ask
questions about faith and explore a Christian
perspective on contemporary issues. (some
venues tbc)
Tuesday, 13th January, 2026, Marton Village
Hall, Shropshire
As part of our Year of Celebration 2026,
celebrating 1350 years of Hereford Diocese,
join us for an enlightening evening of deep
conversations and soul-searching at our
next Spiritual Question Time. We’ll explore
life’s big mysteries and discuss various spiritual
topics. Register here on Eventbrite.
Monday, 16th February, 2026 (location tbc)
Monday, 20th April, 2026 (location tbc)
Tuesday, 12th May, 2026, Hereford Cathedral
Churches Together/ Christian Together groups
Christians Together in Ewyas Harold and District
Monday 2 February 7:30 Baptist Church Hall
Following a short business meeting, we shall be continuing our practice of learning more at each meeting about a specific church / community group. This time representatives of the local environmental group, For People and Planet, will be telling us about their activities. Learn about recycling, litter picking and campaigning. Everyone is welcome to come along and join in.
Churches Together/ Christian Together groups
Christians Together in Ewyas Harold and District
Monday 2 February 7:30 Baptist Church Hall
Following a short business meeting, we shall be continuing our practice of learning more at each meeting about a specific church / community group. This time representatives of the local environmental group, For People and Planet, will be telling us about their activities. Learn about recycling, litter picking and campaigning. Everyone is welcome to come along and join in.
Reflection from Rev Phil Warrey, Methodist Representative
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is an annual, worldwide Christian observance held 18–25 January, inviting churches of many traditions to pray together for the unity of the Church.
Its roots go back to the early 20th century, a time when Christians were becoming increasingly aware of the divisions between churches and the need for reconciliation. In 1908, the Octave for Christian Unity was launched by Paul Wattson, an Anglican priest who later became Roman Catholic. The eight days symbolised a sustained period of prayer for unity.
The movement gained wider ecumenical support after World War I, as churches recognised that division weakened their witness in a fractured world. In 1935, French pastor Paul Couturier helped reshape the focus, encouraging prayer “for the unity Christ wills, by the means Christ wills,” allowing Christians from different traditions to pray together without compromising conscience.
A significant milestone came in 1966, when the World Council of Churches and the Roman Catholic Church began preparing the annual prayer materials together. Since then, these resources have often been written by an ecumenical group from a particular country or region, offering a global and contextual voice.
Today, the Week of Prayer is marked in over 100 countries, bringing together Protestants, Catholics, Orthodox, and Pentecostal Christians. It reminds the Church that unity is not uniformity, but a shared commitment to prayer, reconciliation, and common witness to Christ.
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity takes place in 2026 from 18 to 25 January — the traditional eight-day period between the feast of St Peter and the feast of the Conversion of St Paul. Christians around the world — Protestants, Catholics, Orthodox and others — are invited to pray together for visible unity in the Body of Christ.
This year’s theme
The theme for 2026 is taken from Ephesians 4:4:
“There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling.” Churches Together in England
This passage from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians reminds us that, despite the many traditions, cultures and expressions of Christian faith, all believers are part of the one Body of Christ and share a common hope through the Holy Spirit. The theme calls the Church to reflect on what it means to live out that unity in humility, patience, love and shared mission.
Who prepared the materials
The prayers and reflections for WPCU 2026 were prepared by the faithful of the Armenian Apostolic Church, together with sisters and brothers from the Armenian Catholic and Evangelical Churches. These draw on centuries-old traditions of prayer and worship in Armenia — the first nation to adopt Christianity as its state religion — and invite Christians worldwide to engage deeply with the theme of unity rooted in shared heritage and hope.
See the pamphlet here – WPCU-2026-English-Pamphlet.pdf
Vennture
New Link Workers strengthen our support across Herefordshire
Vennture is delighted to have welcomed four new Link Workers this month, each bringing vital skills to strengthen our work with local families and individuals.
Seb’s experience with young people will enhance our Care Experienced Young People team and our Fresh Start initiative, supporting those navigating the criminal justice system. Anna, fresh from her Criminology degree, joins Fresh Starts too. Rachel will lead the delivery of our new Reducing Parental Conflict programme, helping parents find healthier ways forward. Esme, with a background in children’s counselling, joins our Early Help team to provide guidance and support within families.
Together, these new colleagues will extend Vennture’s reach, offering practical help and hope to people across Herefordshire. Please pray for our newest team members.
As Christmas approaches, our appeal focuses on families in need. Please consider donating to support this vital work: vennture.org.uk/donate.
Turn the Battle, three days of prayer and fasting taking place from 21–23 January 2026.
Scan the QR code to find out more!
Churches Together in Herefordshire 