In Aotearoa New Zealand the Week of Prayer is celebrated between Ascension Sunday and Pentecost Sunday, which in 2025 is between 1 - 8 June. The theme is: “Do you believe this?” (John 11:26). We are all encouraged to join with fellow Christians in common worship, particularly during this week.
Prayer Resources for Christian Unity
This resource provides reflections and prayers for Christian unity. Click here to download
Read Pope Francis' letter for the 58th Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Click here to view
Te Raranga - Network of Christian Churches
Te Raranga emerged from the unified response of Christchurch churches to the 2010–2011 Canterbury earthquakes. As churches from various denominations collaborated to support their communities, the benefits of working together became clear. Leaders began meeting regularly to pray, share resources, and discern the Holy Spirit’s work in fostering unity. This collaboration led to the formation of the Churches Forum, which partnered with Christian NGOs and government agencies. In 2014, Te Raranga became a Trust with a vision to promote unity among Christians.
You are warmly invited to a special ecumenical church event in celebration of the 1700th anniversary of the Nicene Creed.
Join us as we gather in unity to honor this historic milestone in Christian faith and doctrine. Together, we will reflect on the enduring legacy of the Nicene Creed—a timeless declaration of belief that has united believers across centuries and denominations.
Transitional Cathedral 5.00pm - 6.00pm Sunday 15 June 2025
Nicene Creed Background and Importance for Today
1700 years ago, in the year 325 AD, more than 900 Christian leaders arrived at Nicea (now modern-day Turkey) from various corners of the Roman Empire — some traveling thousands of miles. Attendants included those who had survived intense persecution and often torture for their faith during the days when Christianity was essentially outlawed. And they all convened to discuss one matter; the ‘Arian’ controversy that was threatening to tear the church apart.
Their response to the division of the day? “We believe….” A corporate agreement and united declaration that emerged through weeks of prayer, diligent Biblical reflection, with the resultant consensus being what we know as the “Nicene Creed” (ultimately reaching its final form in the Council of Constantinople in 381 A.D.)
As Te Raranga core team, we believe that both the agreed content and process of forming the Nicene Creed can speak to us in today's reality, as 1700 years later we continue to face a growing polarisation and divisions in both society and church.
In the midst of our polarised and pluralistic society, the Nicene Creed is helpful as both an anchor for our faith as well as a key navigational tool in current oceans of uncertainty. It is clear enough to state our distinctive nature as believers in the One God, expressed as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, yet inclusive enough to make room for the broad diversity of Christian believers and churches. We believe in One God, Father, Son and Spirit, We believe in the One, holy, apostolic and catholic (universal) church, and we draw hope for today from an age to come. How we express the life of our Trinitarian God in our various churches and everyday life today is our witness and testimony to this gift of Nicene Creed.
