On April 30, 2007, members of the Diocese of California came together in prayerful recognition that we are all one in Christ. The evening service at Grace Cathedral was in the Taizé form, and included chants, prayers, readings, and concluded with more than 200 people writing prayers on small wooden hearts and laying them at the foot of a large wooden cross. Others brought their prayers to the cross by touching or kissing it.

The Rt. Rev. Marc Handley Andrus told those gathered that the service would serve as a reminder that no group or individual in the diocese should have to shoulder their burdens alone. Members of the diocesan ethnic ministries, Oasis (a ministry to LGBT persons), congregations that maintain companion relationships in the developing world, and other groups were invited to share prayers and special concerns for the creation of a litany that was prayed at the service. The Rev. Anthony Turney, and the Rev. Kathleen Van Sickle, diocesan Archdeacons, collected the prayers and concerns, and crafted the litany that included a sung Kyrie response.

The Litany for Diocesan Unity is below, and we welcome you to use it in your own worship and prayer life. 

Brothers and Sisters: God commands us through Jesus Christ to love one another. In baptism, we promise to “seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving our neighbors as ourselves and to strive for justice and peace, and respect the dignity of every human being.” Let us now honor those vows and pray for our Church and especially our diocese in all its wonderful diversity; a diocese not of convergence but of complementarity, a diocese not of uniformity but of unity, a diocese wherein our distinct identities unite us as the Body of Christ.

We pray for the Church

• for the reconciliation of all people, especially for the leaders of all the provinces in the Anglican Communion, that they may be instruments of your healing love 
• for Rowan, Archbishop of Canterbury that his visit with the House of Bishops in September may be a time of understanding, healing and grace 
• for the Anglican Province of Central America, especially Martin, Bishop of the Diocese of El Salvador
• for our Presiding Bishop, Katharine and our own Bishop, Marc

Silence observed
We ask you to hear us.
Kyrie eleison

We pray for all nations

• that they may live in unity, peace, and concord; and that all people may know justice and enjoy the perfect freedom that only God can give 
• for the leaders of the nations, for all who govern and hold authority that they may always value peace
• for a speedy end to all violence and warfare around the world, for the people of Darfur, Iraq, Afghanistan, and for blessings on everyone who promotes nonviolent solutions to conflict

Silence observed
We ask you to hear us.
Kyrie eleison

We pray for Creation

• for the world in which we live and the will to conserve its resources, to change our ways and make better choices
• for the ability to heal the damage we have done to our environment; that we may become careful stewards of all that has been entrusted to us

Silence observed
We ask you to hear us.
Kyrie eleison

We pray for our global community

• for the strength of heart and mind to look beyond ourselves and address the needs of our brothers and sisters throughout the world
• for the most vulnerable members of our society; for the rural and urban poor and an end to the growing economic disparity between all
• for all immigrants and refugees, that they may be welcomed in our midst and be treated with fairness, dignity, and respect 
• for an end to prejudice throughout the world, particularly in this country; that we will respect all people as precious children of God
• for an end to racism, sexism, ageism and all other forms of discrimination; that they are forever banished from our hearts, our society, and our laws
• for an end to harassment and imprisonment of LGBT people around the world
• for the ministry of Nigerian gay human rights activist, Davis Mac Illya
• for marriage equality for all same sex couples
  

Silence observed
We ask you to hear us.
Kyrie eleison

We pray for those who are sick or are in any need, especially

• the aged, the infirm and those with physical or mental disabilities; that all may have access to proper health care; and that God’s loving embrace may be felt by all
• for those whose lives are dependent upon others
• for those who have power over the powerless, that they may acknowledge you O God, as the one source of all power and might
• for all prisoners and their families; that a spirit of forgiveness may replace vengeance and retribution; and for those inmates whose faith and humility inspire those who serve them

Silence observed
We ask you to hear us.
Kyrie eleison

We pray

• that we may eliminate all barriers of architecture and attitude so that everyone may fully participate in the worship, life and leadership of this church
• for caregivers, chaplaincies and those who offer pastoral care to all in need
• for all children and families, and particularly for the orphaned, neglected, abused, and those who live in fear of violence or disease; that they may be relieved and protected
  

Silence observed
We ask you to hear us.
Kyrie eleison

We pray for ourselves O God

• remove from our minds the tendency to judge, blame and hate
• give us the grace and courage to strive for justice, reveal to us ways to stand in our power through love instead of fear and through peace instead of the cycles of violence that threaten our future
• forgive us for the times we have failed to recognize racism in ourselves, our church and society, for our complicity in systems of privilege and power that promote racism and the times we have failed to take action
• for the rebuilding of our communities, may we hear not the voice for anger but only the voice of love, your love O God, that transforms all darkness into light
• for our diocesan family; may our delightful diversity and our gospel unity help us see the vision you have O God for building this beloved community

• we remember those who died as a result of violence, war, disease or famine, especially those who died because of human blindness, neglect, or hardness of heart

Silence observed
We ask you to hear us.
Kyrie eleison

Almighty God, you have promised to hear what we ask in the name of your Son.  Watch over our diocese now and in the days ahead, guide its congregations, departments, ministries and commissions, in all knowledge and truth, that we may make your ways known among all people.  In the passion of our debates give us quiet spirits; in the complexities of issues give us courageous hearts; in our wonderful diversity may we be one in Christ, living into the new life that is the promise of resurrection.   AMEN.