THE AMERICAS

Hosted a 5 hour Prayer ZOOM Thursday April 16

During this, we showcased different varieties of Rural Ministries across the Americas, ask questions, receive information, and then take a few minutes to pray for that specific ministry. The recordings are available below.

Start in Western Canada at 1 pm (ET): 

• Greetings from Romania by IRCA President Dr. Heather Major.
• Bernon from STU – Lay leadership learning 
• Shawn and Kevin – Rev. Dr. Joyce Sasse.
• Sun Do – CIRCLE M Grant – providing rides.
• Peter – Saving your church Computer (WHY?)

Move to Eastern Canada (around 3 pm ET): 

• Martin – Handwriting Scriptures
• Catherine – Rural Routes Through the Holy.
• Eric – Collaborative Ministry.

Move South – USA (around 4:30 pm ET): 

• Rural Chaplain’s Association Learning Events.
• United Methodist Rural Advocates.
• News and reflections from Latino in US 

Each presentation will have up to the half hour time slot, sharing information on the important work people are doing, a time for questions, and a time for prayer for the work being done and lifting up the people and area represented.

ASIA

Bishop Prasad gathered a group from IRCA Asia, with Heather joining in briefly, and Robyn listening in throughout.

The video continued after a new ZOOM link was established.

OCEANIA

Oceania met on Thursday 23 April.

This is how our time zones work:

1630 ACST, 1700 AEST, 1800 VUT and SIT, 1900 FJT and NZST, 2000 TST and SST

We linked our regular Network hui with IRCA Leadership’s plans to try to pray around the world in the lead up to the IRCA Conference in Sibiu, Romania in July.

With the current global situation our combined prayers have an even greater significance. 

It has been inspiring to hear the words of Pope Leo and to read stories from Christians in the United States (e.g. Sojourners), plus many others. All around the world we are one in our Easter faith of love in the face of violence.

Those who gathered brought their faith and inspiration to our Oceania time of prayer.