The Mansfield area organising committee of the World Day of Prayer is inviting people to join them in prayer at Rosemary Street Baptist Church in the town on Friday, 7th March, at 10am.

The World Day of Prayer worship service has a special annual theme, which is developed by women of a different country each year, and gives an opportunity to share ideas and reach out in love and fellowship.

This year`s material, Kia orana, was prepared by a group of ecumenical Christian women in the Cook Islands, and is based on Psalm 139, I made you wonderful.

The Rev Maria Pap, of the organising committee, said: “Join us as we pray for our beautiful and broken world, for finding hope in difficult situations, for the strength and courage we can give each other to do our share of the work we are called to do, in the hope of a world of justice and peace.

Kia orana is a traditional welcome greeting in Maori, with an abundance of meanings, including May you live long, May you live well, May you shine like the sun, May you dance with the waves, Everyone welcome!