KAMSACK — The first World Day of Prayer celebrated in Kamsack since 2020 was held at Holy Trinity Anglican Church March 7, when the focus was placed on a service prepared by the women of the Cook Islands.
“The invitation is out for everyone, women, men and children of all ages, to join the 2025 World Day of Prayer as we celebrate the theme: I made you wonderful. (Psalm 139: 1-18),” said a release from the Canadian Council of Churches.
Alva Beauchamp, an organizer of the event, was joined by Susan Aikman and Connie McKay as three readers of the program. They were assisted by Rev. Nancy Brunt, who read the scripture, and Natalie Slivenski and Nancy Broda, who read stories prepared by women of the Cook Islands.
A video presentation featuring the culture of the Cook Islands was shown, and an offering for the World Day of Prayer was collected. After the hour-long service, cookies and coffee were served.
“We are encouraged to reflect on the changes and challenges faced by this country as it approaches its 60th year of independent government,” said information presented by residents of the Cook Islands.
“The writing team has shared how the Cook Islanders found a way to beautifully blend their Polynesian heritage with Christian faith introduced just over 200 years ago.
“World Day of Prayer is an international, inter-church event that began almost 100 years ago bridging social, geographic, and political barriers in over 170 countries,” the information from the Canadian Council of Churches said. “The weekend of prayer begins in Samoa and then travels in many languages throughout the world — through Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Europe, Australia, and the Americas. Together, we pursue justice, peace, and reconciliation by standing together in prayer and action.
“The preparation for the day is vast,” it said. “An international committee is based in New York, and there are national committees and organizations in each participating country. In Canada, the World Day of Prayer (WDP) is coordinated by the Women’s Inter-Church Council of Canada (WICC), one of the founders of this prayer movement.
“Volunteers in church communities through Canada organize this ecumenical service, often on a rotating basis.
“Offerings received through the World Day of Prayer transform our prayers into action in the form of project grants empowering women and children in our own country and throughout the world. All regions share in the grants, with consideration given to greatest need. Through WDP offerings, WICC has distributed around three million dollars for small projects in the past 40 years. The vision is to restore hope to women and children touched by injustice.”
It is expected that in 2026, on the first Friday in March, the World Day of Prayer will be hosted in Kamsack by the congregation of St. Josaphat’s Ukrainian Catholic Church.
