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January 16, 2006
Dear colleagues,
For nearly 100 years an
observance of a Week of Prayer for Christian Unity has been a part of
the ecumenical landscape. Beginning on January 18, the Confession of
St. Peter, and closing on January 25, the Conversion of St. Paul, the
theme for this year’s observance is “Where Two or Three are Gathered in
My Name… (Matthew 18:15-22). This installment of “Ecumenical Life”
arrives as we are about to begin this week of praying for the unity of
Christ’s Church. A listing of resources and web links were provided in
November’s edition.
In your personal devotions,
in your congregation, and (hopefully) in gatherings with members of
other denominations, use these resources during these eight days and
join with Christians around the world in praying for the unity Christ
wills for the Church.
Certainly one of the
ecumenical highlights of 2006 will be the Ninth Assembly of the World
Council of Churches to be held February 14-23 at the Pontifical Catholic
University in Porto Alegre, Brazil. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America will be represented by Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson, Vice
President Carlos Pena, Ms. Kathryn Lohre, and the Rev. Randall R. Lee,
executive for Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Relations. In addition
many other ELCA members will be present as visitors.
The theme for the assembly is
“God, in your grace, transform the world,” a prayer that God will touch
every member of the Christian family and make them together to be agents
for the world’s renewal. I urge you to walk with the assembly in
prayer, using the many materials available on the assembly Web site:
www.wcc-assembly.info If you didn’t have the opportunity to sponsor
an ecumenical worship service for the Week of Prayer for Christian
Unity, this would be an excellent time to gather representatives of the
churches in your area to pray for the 3,000 participants in the assembly
and for the work of Christian unity. A full report on the assembly will
appear in the next issue of “Ecumenical Life.” Also watch the
ecumenical and inter-religious relations website for photos from the
assembly.
Another event to put on your
calendar is the annual National Workshop on Christian Unity to be held
this year May 8-11 in San Jose, CA. The Workshop brings together more
than 400 people from around the country for plenary sessions, workshops,
worship, and the annual meetings of the ecumenical networks. The
Lutheran Ecumenical Resource Network (LERN) will gather several times
during these days for information sharing and continuing education. But
you don’t need to be a LERN member to participate in the National
Workshop. Everyone is encouraged and welcome to attend.
The major speakers at this
year’s Workshop include the Rev. Dr. George Cummings who teaches at the
American Baptist Seminary West in Berkley, CA; the Rev. Dr. Richard J.
Mouw, president of Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena; and the Rev.
Dr. Kevin Mannoia, chaplain of Azusa Pacific University’s Graduate and
Professional Programs. The Bible study leader for the Workshop is
Sister Dr. Dianne Bergant, professor of Biblical studies at Catholic
Theological Union in Chicago. Fifteen workshops are scheduled over the
three days and a joint Eucharist with the Episcopal Diocesan Ecumenical
and Interreligious Officers (EDEIO) to celebrate the 5th
anniversary of the signing of “Called to Common Mission” is planned.
Please join us in San Jose – and thanks for all you do to further the
unity of the Church!
Yours in the incarnate
Christ,
Rev. Randall R. Lee
Executive for Ecumenical and
Inter-Religious Relations
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
8765 W. Higgins Road
Chicago, IL 60631
1.800.638.3522 extension 2611
randy.lee@elca.org
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