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World Day of Prayer event set to go March 7 in Taber |
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Wednesday, 27 February 2008 |
This year's World Day of Prayer will show how word can not only travel fast, it can travel far.
By Jennifer Elves
Taber Times
At the non-denominational event March 7 at the LDS Stake Centre at 1:30 p.m., Jane Johnson of Barnwell and Sandra Pierson of Taber will speak.
They will tell about experiences their sister and brother-in-law are having in Guyana, as the script for the World Day of Prayer this year was written by women in that country. They will also provide a little information on the country, and include stories their sister and brother-in-law told them people in Guyana shared with them.
"I think sometimes we just go about our lives without even thinking about how other people have so much less than we do. I think this (the World Day of Prayer) brings awareness about what is happening in other countries," said Johnson.
At the event, people can make donations, with money gathered going towards various causes in Guyana. The theme this year is, God's Wisdom Provides New Understanding. Part of new understanding for those who attend, Johnson said, is awareness of how money they donate makes a difference. In Guyana, some money that has been donated from other countries went towards a new water treatment plant and education programs.
Christians in more than 170 countries around the world, including 2,000 communities across Canada, will participate in the national day.
The Co-operative Republic of Guyana is on the north coast of south America, and is the only English-speaking country on the continent.
"It's pretty but it's one of the poorer countries, so there is poverty," said Diane Shimbashi, an organizer. "Just come out and find out about this other part of the world."
She added the hope is for people to gather insight on what people in other countries such as Guyana face. Poverty is a major issue in Guyana, with floods in 2005 and 2006 that had a devastating impact on numerous communities in the coastal area. On an on-going basis, since the 1960s, the country has seen people migrating to other countries.
Guyana is also experiencing an increase in the amount of women infected by HIV/AIDS, with there being a strong link between violence against women and the illness. Government, church, faith-based communities, civic and non-governmental organizations, however, are doing what they can to improve social conditions.
Along with developing a greater understanding of difficulties people there are encountering, Shimbashi encouraged locals to attend the World Day of Prayer because it is a good community event. She noted it offers opportunity for people to enjoy each other's fellowship and friendship, with refreshments being served afterwards.
Along with the LDS church, other local churches taking part in the World Day of Prayer include the Anglican, United, Catholic churches and the Church of Christ.
Everyone is welcome to attend. Last year, the event had a turnout of roughly 100 people and this year, organizers are hoping the turnout will be slightly higher.
"We're sort of gearing for about 150 but we will just have to wait and see I guess, said Shimbashi. |
