I have colleagues in parish ministry, who often tell me what they enjoy most about it is that there’s something different every day: a wedding one day, local clergy association the next, and so on. Last time I heard that, I thought, “That’s what I like about the ecumenical movement.” It’s something different every day: working on living into our full communion relationship with the ELCA, developing theological dialogues with our interreligious neighbors, and so on. I’d like to highlight two items this month that demonstrate this breadth of the ecumenical movement.
One is the recent meeting of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW) – see more information and links below. The UNCSW brings together a broad coalition not only of non-governmental organizations but also ecumenical partnerships. This includes not only our partner churches in the National Council of Churches and World Council of Churches but also other provinces of the Anglican Communion. The International Anglican Women’s Network is made up from representatives from 30 different provinces of the Communion, and is a sign how we can work together in areas of common mission and witness.
And keeping with our theme, let’s move on to something [completely?] different. We will witness a very rare ecumenical occurrence over the next two years: the date of Easter for both churches from the Western traditions and Eastern Orthodox Christians will fall on the same day in 2010. That happens every once and again. But Easter will fall on the same in 2011 as well. The Episcopal Church (General Convention 2000, Resolution A043) and the Lambeth Conference (1998, Resolution IV.8) are both on record endorsing a process to find a common date to celebrate Easter. Perhaps this year, or next year, we might be able to use this occasion to reach out to Eastern Orthodox brothers and sisters – at least we have no excuse about remembering when it is Easter for them! – and renew our commitment to find a way to proclaim – on the same day -- Christ is Risen!
