Women’s World Day of Prayer in Sevenoaks

Mayor Margaret Crabtree with Ellen Teague (right) and Dorothy Allen, Chair of Sevenoaks Women's World Day of Prayer Committee

A packed congregation of more than 200 women – and two men – gathered at St Thomas of Canterbury Church in Sevenoaks, Kent, on 2 March to celebrate the annual Women’s World Day of Prayer. The 2012 focus was Malaysia with the theme ‘Let Justice Prevail’, The congregation was invited at the start to greet one another by placing hands together as in praying hands and then turn to neighbours with a slight bow saying ‘Selamat Datang’ which means ‘peace and welcome’.

The ecumenical service was organised this year by Gilly Fenner and Pat Harman of St Thomas’ parish, but women from all the churches of Sevenoaks participated, including Catholic Mayor Margaret Crabtree. The church was decorated with the Malaysian flag, cloth, fans, tropical flowers and fruit. Children from nearby St Thomas’ primary school played drums and shakers and led the music, alongside an ecumenical women’s choir. The children also held up banners they had made as stories were told of initiatives taken by Christian women in Malaysia to promote justice, care for migrants and the rights of women workers. Ellen Teague of Columban JPIC gave a talk during the service, noting that millions of women around the world would be holding a similar service the same day. Prayers were said for the courage to stand up for justice and, afterwards, all were invited to share refreshments.

“I found this a very impressive and moving service”, Mayor Margaret Crabtree said. “It highlighted the plight of women in Malaysia and the difficulties churches there experience”, she added, “and I thank the Christian women of Sevenoaks for coming together in this wonderful example of ecumenical collaboration”.


To read the text of Ellen's talk see: www.indcatholicnews.com/news.php?viewStory=19974