Christians around the world will be focusing on the country of South Africa during the annual World Day of Prayer service.
On the Sunshine Coast, residents are invited to join in the worldwide event by attending a service at 1 p.m. on March 3 at Gibsons United Church and at 1 p.m. at St. Hilda's Church in Sechelt.
This year's World Day of Prayer service, written by the women of South Africa, reflects on the theme "Signs of the Times."
The women of South African greet those participating in this service by saying "molweni," dumelang" and "goeiedag" which means "good day."
South Africans are proud of being called a rainbow nation, a name coined by retired archbishop and Nobel Prize winner Desmond Tutu to celebrate the country's many colours, races and cultures. Despite division, injustice and suffering, the people of South Africa have determined to move beyond their history of four decades of oppression and apartheid. However, their country is still experiencing change and facing challenge as it works for transformation. There are issues of drought and pollution, violence and drug trafficking, unemployment and poverty and possibly the most debilitating of all - the continuing cost of HIV/AIDS.
Participants attending the World Day of Prayer will learn more about this country and its unique culture and heritage, and will also be joining Christians in more than 170 countries around the world and 2,000 communities across Canada who will gather together to pray and act in solidarity with the people of South Africa.
For more information, contact Gibsons United Church at 604-886-2333 or St. Hilda's at 604-885-7205.
