WORLD DAY OF PRAYER 2026: United Church opens its welcoming doors

Sisters of faith: Delores Sehn, Joy Anderson, Cammie White, Marlene Packard, Eileen Tumbach and, on the far right, Wally Weber, who organized Friday’s program at Maple Creek United Church. Missing is Marcie Cole.

By Marcus Day

Maple Creek News

Three Nigerian women, each carrying a burden.

For Beatrice, it is systemic oppression after becoming a widow at 28. For Jato, a Christian mother, it is religious persecution and fear of her 14-year-old daughter being kidnapped. For Blessing, it is poverty and despair, and the feeling of being trapped in a cycle of disappointment.

Their testimonies about human suffering – and discovery of hope through community and faith – were the centrepieces of a “World Day of Prayer 2026” service at Maple Creek United Church on Friday.

Prepared by the World Day of Prayer Committee of Nigeria, the hour-long service was themed “I Will Give You Rest: Come”, words from the Gospel of Matthew in the Bible.

Similar events took place across Canada and the rest of the world.

World Day of Prayer is a global, ecumenical movement led by Christian women who welcome people to join in prayer and action for peace and justice.

About 30 people from different churches in Maple Creek came to the United Church at 2pm for a program organized by Wally Weber.

Those attending included Rev. Sheila Deforest, from Maple Creek United Church, and Rev. Jesse Miller, from St. Mary the Virgin Anglican Church.

Weber chose six ladies to stand at the back of the church, read the three testimonies and lead prayers: Marcie Cole, Marlene Packard, Delores Sehn, Cammie White, Joy Anderson and Eileen Tumbach. Shirley Pridmore played the piano.

They represented The Salvation Army, Diamond C. Cowboy Church, St. Lawrence Catholic Church, Family Church, St. Mary, and United Church.

To fit the theme, African colours decorated the sanctuary and the outside communal area. Some of the food selections for a post-service buffet reflected a similar awareness – mango and flour-based snacks.

The service began with Keleya (Praise God), an opening prayer of praise.

Other features of the service included a reciting of Come Unto Me, a song composed especially for the World Day of Prayer; intercessory prayers, candle lighting; the Lord’s Prayer; Call to Action, a reading involving a prayer leader and the congregation; and an offertory accompanied by the hymn I Dance in The Morning.

The service ended with closing words and the hymn Jesus Loves Me.

Afterwards, people gathered in the communal area by the kitchen for food and fellowship.