Arlington United Church to host Day of Prayer

ARLINGTON — This morning the Arlington United Church is scheduled to host to a World Day of Prayer service.

Part of an international movement of Christian women of many traditions that was founded in the 19th Century, World Day of Prayer puts together cooperative activities around many areas of concern for women and children around the world.

The first Friday of March is typically the day chosen to hold a service (although any time during that weekend is appropriate, hence the Saturday service today). Congregations around the world come together to pray and discuss how the organization’s motto, “Informed prayer and prayerful action,” applies to mission work and promoting world peace.

Collections taken up during the service are directed through World Day of Prayer’s headquarters in New York City to projects around the world.

Past projects World Day of Prayer collections have supported include cooking and sewing workshops for immigrant women in France, vocational training for orphans age 12-18 in Cameroon, and outreach to domestic workers in Connecticut to help them improve their living standards and working conditions.

Jeannine Lish, who is coordinating this year’s service, hopes to see at least 50 attendees at the service.

Each year a different country’s national chapter writes the program and emphasizes their culture. In 2014, Egypt is the focus, and the service includes presentations about Egyptian history and culture from ancient times through its Christian and Islamic periods.

The title of the program is “Streams in the Desert,” which is a reference to Isaiah 43:19: “I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the desert,” a passage that describes the journey of the freed Israelites back to Canaan, and is also interpreted as the belief that the “water” of the Gospel will give new life to a barren world.

The program for the service includes songs and readings as well as a guided discussion around the Biblical story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4:4).

That story is important in this service, Lish said, in that it can been seen echoed in many of the conversations between Egyptians of various faiths during the Arab Spring protests in Tahrir Square.

The hope it that this will also promote dialogue among those gathered at the World Day of Prayer service.

“Where might we have an unexpected and inspiring dialogue?” Lish said.

This service, she said, is an opportunity to “talk and reflect about the borders we have to cross to get into waters.”

The hope is that the service in Arlington will contribute to the larger goal of bringing together women, men and children of all races, cultures and traditions, in the words of the World Day of Prayer, “in closer fellowship, understanding and action throughout the year.”

Chris Winters: 425-374-4165; cwinters@heraldnet.com.

Prayer day

The local World Day of Prayer service starts with sign-in at 9:30 a.m. today at Arlington United Church, 338 N. McLeod Ave., Arlington.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

A firefighter stands in silence before a panel bearing the names of L. John Regelbrugge and Kris Regelbrugge during the ten-year remembrance of the Oso landslide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Flood of emotions’ as Oso Landslide Memorial opens on 10th anniversary

Friends, family and first responders held a moment of silence at 10:37 a.m. at the new 2-acre memorial off Highway 530.

Julie Petersen poses for a photo with images of her sister Christina Jefferds and Jefferds’ grand daughter Sanoah Violet Huestis next to a memorial for Sanoah at her home on March 20, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. Peterson wears her sister’s favorite color and one of her bangles. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
‘It just all came down’: An oral history of the Oso mudslide

Ten years later, The Daily Herald spoke with dozens of people — first responders, family, survivors — touched by the deadliest slide in U.S. history.

Victims of the Oso mudslide on March 22, 2014. (Courtesy photos)
Remembering the 43 lives lost in the Oso mudslide

The slide wiped out a neighborhood along Highway 530 in 2014. “Even though you feel like you’re alone in your grief, you’re really not.”

Director Lucia Schmit, right, and Deputy Director Dara Salmon inside the Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management on Friday, March 8, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
How Oso slide changed local emergency response ‘on virtually every level’

“In a decade, we have just really, really advanced,” through hard-earned lessons applied to the pandemic, floods and opioids.

Ron and Gail Thompson at their home on Monday, March 4, 2024 in Oso, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
In shadow of scarred Oso hillside, mudslide’s wounds still feel fresh

Locals reflected on living with grief and finding meaning in the wake of a catastrophe “nothing like you can ever imagine” in 2014.

Everett mall renderings from Brixton Capital. (Photo provided by the City of Everett)
Topgolf at the Everett Mall? Mayor’s hint still unconfirmed

After Cassie Franklin’s annual address, rumors circled about what “top” entertainment tenant could be landing at Everett Mall.

Everett
Everett man sentenced to 3 years of probation for mutilating animals

In 2022, neighbors reported Blayne Perez, 35, was shooting and torturing wildlife in north Everett.

Dorothy Crossman rides up on her bike to turn in her ballot  on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett leaders plan to ask voters for property tax increase

City officials will spend weeks hammering out details of a ballot measure, as Everett faces a $12.6 million deficit.

Starbucks employee Zach Gabelein outside of the Mill Creek location where he works on Friday, Feb. 23, 2024 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mill Creek Starbucks votes 21-1 to form union

“We obviously are kind of on the high of that win,” store bargaining delegate Zach Gabelein said.

Lynnwood police respond to a collision on highway 99 at 176 street SW. (Photo provided by Lynnwood Police)
Police: Teen in stolen car flees cops, causes crash in Lynnwood

The crash blocked traffic for over an hour at 176th Street SW. The boy, 16, was arrested on felony warrants.

The view of Mountain Loop Mine out the window of a second floor classroom at Fairmount Elementary on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
County: Everett mining yard violated order to halt work next to school

At least 10 reports accused OMA Construction of violating a stop-work order next to Fairmount Elementary. A judge will hear the case.

Imagine Children's Museum's incoming CEO, Elizabeth "Elee" Wood. (Photo provided by Imagine Children's Museum)
Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett to welcome new CEO

Nancy Johnson, who has led Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett for 25 years, will retire in June.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.