Shelburne is one of more than 2,000 communities across Canada participating in World Day of Prayer on Friday, March 7.

Trinity United Church, at 200 Owen Sound Street, will host the event, starting at 2 p.m. All are invited to participate in this service which focuses on the theme: "God's wisdom provides new understanding".

In Orangeville, the inter-church service will be held at St. Timothy's Church, 42 Dawson Road, starting at 1:30 p.m.

This year, World Day of Prayer celebrates the people of Guyana, South America, a country devastated by poverty, flooding, HIV/AIDS and an alarming level of domestic violence. Christians across the globe will be gathering in their communities to learn more about this beautiful, but struggling, nation; to pray and act in solidarity with the people of Guyana.

The World Day of Prayer is an ecumenical movement which brings Christians of diverse traditions together for a universal day of prayer. The motto of World Day of Prayer is "Informed Prayer and Prayerful Action"; promoting the belief that prayer and action are indivisible and that both hold infinite possibilities for a better world.

It was in the early 19th century that North American women, involved in mission work at home and aboard, began encouraging communal prayer within their mission and associations. Presbyterian women in the United States called for a national day of prayer in 1887. In 1918, Presbyterian women in Canada called representatives of the Anglican, Baptist, Congregational, Methodist and Presbyterian Missionary Boards to promote united prayer and action. This meeting gave rise to an organized, national and inter-denominational day of prayer in 1920. Two years later, the committee agreed to use the same theme and day as the United States women and this annual event became the Women's World Day of Prayer in 1927.

The Canadian committee, now called the Women's Inter-Church Council of Canada, includes 11 different church partners and continues to coordinate the World Day of Prayer in Canada. In 2008, over 170 countries will participate in this day which unites people of all races in prayer on issues of injustice and disparity around the world.

Women of Guyana have written this year's service and filled it with song, dance and colour. The only English speaking country in South America, Guyana is known as the "Land of Six Peoples" because of its broad ethnic origins: African, Amerindian, Portuguese, East Indian, Chinese, and European. The contributions of these diverse cultures are felt in many aspects of their daily lives, but perhaps, none so palpable as in the cuisine. The refreshments after service will reflect the tropical tastes of Guyana.

Many Shelburne-area churches will participate in the planning and presenting of the worship service including Trinity United, St. Paul's Anglican, Bethel Bible, St. Patrick's Roman Catholic, Horning's Mills- Honeywood United, Redickville's Community of Christ, and Grace Church of the Nazarene.

A portion of offerings received at each prayer service in Canada go to provide resources to local committees for the following year, as well as many grants provided to global projects in need. Much of the money has gone to workshops on women rights in counties such as Colombia, Bangladesh, Honduras, India, the Philippines and Tanzania. Within Canada, funding has been provided for women with disabilities and victims of domestic and sexual violence. Additional grants have been given to support theological and spiritual study.

For further information on the World Day of Prayer you may contact Trinity United at 925- 2233. A second Shelburne service has been scheduled for Friday, April 4th at 10:30 a.m. at Dufferin Oaks.