Celebration of 'World Day of Prayer' in the north west

Two local churches will host services this week to celebrate Friday's global ecumenical event, 'World Day of Prayer', which is led by women and celebrated in around 120 countries.

The Derry area's service will be hosted by First Derry Presbyterian Church, in Magazine Street Upper, and will begin at 7.30pm on Friday evening. The Limavady area World Day of Prayer Service will be held in Ballykelly Presbyterian Church at 8pm on Friday. All are welcome at both services.

World Day of Prayer is a global ecumenical movement and this year's service has been prepared by women in Taiwan. Their island is culturally diverse and rich in natural resources, and women share issues faced geographically, politically and socially.

The organisation of this year's event has been meticulous, with preparations overseen by an international committee based in New York and national committees in each participating country.

World Day of Prayer will begin in Samoa, and the prayer will 'travel' round the globe, in native languages, spreading through Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Europe and the Americas, before finishing in American Samoa 36 hours later.

For further information visit the WDP website: https://www.wwdp.org.uk.