Ecumenical Endeavors

“The word nimble is not often used to describe the governance of The Episcopal Church. Perhaps that is as it should be. This year, though, in our ecumenical / interreligious work, there was a sense of urgency and excitement, a readiness to move with some ‘dispatch,’ adopting resolutions calling for unity and bridge-building: Diaconate exchangeability with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, full communion with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bavaria, moving toward full communion with the United Methodists, local ecumenical partnerships with the Presbyterians, resolutions on antisemitism and—written during General Convention itself—on anti-Muslim bias. These are just a few examples of the commitment to listening and learning, to celebrating and working together across our different faith communities. The 81st General Convention offered a ‘word,’ declaring that ecumenical and interreligious work with others are small steps toward healing and unity in our own divided time.” – the Rev. Margaret Rose, presiding bishop’s deputy for Ecumenical and Interreligious Relations

On the interreligious front, General Convention passed revised guidelines for interreligious relations and Episcopal-Jewish relations and our first guidelines for Episcopal-Muslim relations. On the ecumenical front, we entered into full communion with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bavaria, added the exchangeability of the diaconate to our agreement with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and commended our current dialogues and ecumenical organizational memberships.

At the United Methodist Church’s General Conference this spring, the denomination approved a resolution calling for full communion with The Episcopal Church. The 81st General Convention of The Episcopal Church adopted Resolution A049, as amended, which affirmed the continued dialogue and “joyfully anticipate[s] advancing towards full communion with the United Methodist Church.”

The Presbyterian Church USA has a unicameral governing body, the General Assembly; and while there are many similarities to The Episcopal Church’s General Convention, the PCUSA commissioners (who are ordained and lay members of presbyteries) receive advisory input (in the form of an advisory vote) on every vote they take from the advisory delegates, of which there are four types: young adult, theological student, mission, and ecumenical. There were many, many matters that were passed, but of particular interest to The Episcopal Church was the passing (via consent agenda) of receiving the final report of this round of bilateral dialogues between the PCUSA and The Episcopal Church, and calling for a new round of dialogues.

The National Council of Churches (NCC) hosted its biannual Buddhist-Christian Dialogue in May at the University of the West in Los Angeles. The Buddhist-Christian dialogue is one of five national dialogues hosted by the NCC. Other dialogues include the National Hindu-Christian Dialogue, the National Jewish-Christian Dialogue, the
National Muslim-Christian Dialogue, and the National Sikh-Christian Dialogue. The dialogue includes presentations, discussions, and sessions with elders, youth, and other faith leaders.

About which Christian denomination to follow, (or even what religion of which to be a part), it was once said that it doesn’t matter what kind of car your drive, as long as it safely gets you where you need to be. Why then, do many Christians spend so much time and energy trying to convince others that theirs is the only right make and model; and that if you drive any other, you’ll end up in the eternal junk yard?

Compiled by:
the Rev. Mike Wernick
Ecumenical and Interreligious Officer
the Episcopal Dioceses of Western and Eastern Michigan