EIR Newsletter - April 2010

Thoughts from Fr Tom Ferguson

It’s not too often you find yourselves excited in the ecumenical movement these days – the energetic kind of excitement like opening a new present. I just got back from the United Methodist-Episcopal Bilateral dialogue (well not really, I’m flying on the plane back from St. Louis while I write this). The dialogue has just completed an Agreed Theological Statement, a substantive work which addresses a wide range of issues facing the two communions.

This dialogue has been meeting since 2002 as a bilateral, building on almost forty years of dialogue in the Consultation on Church Union, the International Anglican-Methodist dialogue (statement issued in 1996) and the British Methodist-Church of England dialogues (entered into a Covenant partnership in 2002). In 2006 both churches approved Interim Eucharistic Sharing, the same relationship the ELCA and the Episcopal Church had from 1982-2001, a time of intentional worship together on the road towards full communion. A study guide was produced in 2006, and was intended primarily for use on the congregational level, bringing local communities together. This Statement is intended for bishops, diocesan ecumenical officers, and other folks interested in this work. It is an effort to address issues of ecclesiology, sacramental theology, and the historic episcopate, among others. In this sense it is similar to the agreed reports issued by the Lutheran-Episcopal Dialogues in the 1970s and 1980s.

An initial electronic version of this statement will be available at the National Workshop on Christian Unity, to be held in Tampa April 19-22, and shortly after that available through the denominational websites and in printed form as well.

I am excited in a way I haven’t been because this Statement breaks important new ground, and is also a contribution by the Episcopal Church and The United Methodist Church to the broader ecumenical movement. It is significant in that it also addresses issues of race and racism as church dividing issues both internally in our communions and between our churches. The dialogue has had several joint sessions with representatives from the African Methodist Episcopal Church, African Methodist Episcopal Church Zion, and Christian Methodist Episcopal Church in an effort to incorporate these churches into the broader reconciliation we seek between Anglicans and Methodists.

Thought you’d like to hear some good ecumenical news!

Easter Blessings, Tom

UNCSW

This year, the Commission reviewed the implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action and the outcome of the twenty-third special session of the General Assembly, emphasizing the sharing of experiences and good practices, with a view to overcoming remaining obstacles and new challenges, including those related to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

National and regional review processes fed into the global review process. The review also focused on how the implementation of the Platform for Action contributes to the full achievement of the MDGs.

WCC News

Gender-based violence threatens integrity of life and faith

"Violence and fear of violence blights the lives of many girls and women around the world," said the Rev. Michael Wallace, the general secretary of the World Student Christian Federation (WSCF). "If churches believe that every person is made in the image of God then they must speak out about violence against women.

We must make sure that women and girls can be without fear in our churches, and that the men and women in our churches promote respect for women and alternatives to violence."

EIR Updates

Ecumenical and Interfaith Office on Facebook

The Office of Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations of the Episcopal Church Center is now on Facebook...

News in the Field

Ecumenical Women at the United Nations Blog

Ecumenical Women is an international coalition of church denominations and ecumenical organizations which have status with the Economic & Social Council (ECOSOC) at the United Nations. These bodies share and are committed to a common mission and vision.

"Guide to Building Women of Faith Networks” by Religions for Peace (2009)

The Religions for Peace Global Women of Faith Network has developed a Guide to Building Women of Faith Networks, which affirms that women of faith draw deeply upon their reserves of agency, wisdom, and compassion to lead the world toward peace.

News from the Anglican Centre in Rome

Director David Richardson affirms that, whatever the difficulties, the doors remain ajar, and at the highest level the Roman Catholic Church continues to invite conversation: conversation builds relationships, relationships build unity.

North American Interfaith Network Conference

NAIN Connect 2010 Salt Lake City, Utah, July 25th -28th

Better interfaith relations are a critical component of building caring, connected communities and a more peaceful harmonious world. Interfaithers know that. The challenge is to extend our reach by getting others to understand and get involved. The focus of Connect 2010 is on doing just that.

The conference will take up Madeleine Albright’s challenge of finding ways “to harness the unifying potential of faith while containing its capacity to divide.” Challenging and inspirational speakers, stimulating panels and collegial brainstorming will renew and enhance our vision of interfaith work, enliven esprit de corps, and hone in on practical ways to build both local interfaith organizations and the North American Interfaith Network.

NCC News

Circles of Names – Artwork Unveiled

The first two panels for the specially commissioned Circles of Names Campaign work of art by Mary Button were unveiled last month during Women’s History Month at both the Ecumenical Women’s Reception and the Ecumenical Young Adult Leadership Experience related to the Commission on the Status of Women at the United Nations.

The Circles of Names Campaign (www.circlesofnames.org) which was inaugurated in November 2009 at the joint General Assembly of the National Council of Churches USA and Church World Service is well on its way to reaching the goal of $100,000 raised and 1,000 women named.

An Overview of the Interreligious Relations Statement of the Episcopal Church: Read More »

An Overview of the Ecumenical Agreement with the Presbyterian Church, USA: Read More »

Next Steps in Full Communion with the Moravian Church: Read More »