The Continuous Call Quest for Justice and Unity
By: The Reverend Robina Marie Winbush,
Director of the Office of Ecumenical Relations
The modern ecumenical movement has sought to address those issues that have divided the Church and Christians. Following World War II, it was heavily defined by the church divisions in Europe and how they were exported around the world through both the missionary movements and colonization. Dialogues in the United States between Lutherans and Reformed churches that gave birth to the Formula of Agreement are an example of how European Church divides were transported to American soil. More than 100 years of dialogue between Episcopalians and Presbyterians are rooted in the historic struggle between Scots-Irish Presbyterians and Anglicans in Scotland and England. Beyond the doctrinal and confessional differences are deeply rooted sociopolitical wounds that are not easily forgotten or healed. Read more...
|
|
Special Message & Prayers for the United Methodist Church...
|
|
|
As we are preparing this issue of Ecumenical News, one of our closest ecumenical colleagues, the United Methodist Church, is meeting in a special called General Council to address issues related to the full inclusion of Christians who are LGBTQ+. While final decisions have not yet been made, we know this is a challenging season for the UMC as well as Christians who are watching and being impacted by the decisions that will emerge.
|
We invite you to continue to hold the (UMC) and all who are affected by their decisions in prayer. The next issue of Ecumenical News will have a more in-depth article.
The Reverend Robina Marie Winbush
|
|
From Evie's Desk:
The Presbyterian Center of the PC(USA), celebrated the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2019! It was a powerful time of prayer, witness to Jesus Christ, and unity in faith. Left: Rev. Robina Winbush, Rev. Dr. Evangeline Anderson Rajkumar & Rev. Everdith Landrau Read more...
|
|
|
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Service
Check out the service of Word at the Presbyterian Center below! You will be blessed by the message by the Reverend Dr. Evangeline Anderson Rajkumar. Presbyterian Center staff also concludes the week of prayer with a public witness of supplication. Read more...
|
|
The Reverend Dr. Evangeline Anderson-Rajkumar is a Dalit feminist theologian and pastor
Listen to this informal conversation recorded on Facebook Live on the page, Presbyterians Seeking Unity, under the theme: “Racial and Caste Justice—A Discussion on Dalit Ecumenical Liberation Struggles.”
|
|
|
|
|
Service of the Word, Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2019. The theme this year was, ''Justice, Only Justice You Shall Pursue'' (Deuteronomy 16:18-20).
|
|
OGA staff dresses in black to send message on Valentine’s Day
Staff members are participating in the Thursdays in Black Campaign, organized by the World Council of Churches (WCC), to raise awareness about violence against women and children. The campaign grew out of the WCC’s Decade of Churches in Solidarity with Women after hearing countless stories of abuse around the world from the battlefield to homes and businesses. Read more...
|
|
Love: the very essence of God in our midst
Reflection by the Reverend Robina Winbush:
''We are invited to discover in ourselves this LOVE given to us in the Jesus who became like us to deliver us into the fullness of God’s intention. We are invited to love out of this LOVE.'' Read more...
|
|
|
|
Valentine’s Day, 14 February, fell on a Thursday this year. For many people, it is a time to celebrate love. However, for too many, “love” comes with abuse and violence.
|
|
|
The Office of Ecumenical Relations seeks delegates for Ecumenical Service
We will need three persons for the Episcopal Dialogue. Ideally, they should be either pastors or mid council leaders who have significant experience with the Episcopal Church, have ecumenical sensitivities and able to engage in theological dialogue; a person eager and able to engage in theological discussion. The commitment is for five years and the dialogue team meets one – two times a year for about 2 ½ days.
Please see a link to the General Assembly action related to the Third Round of Dialogue between the Episcopal Church and the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (Item 07-05). For more information on our ecumenical partners or to read the report containing the Presbyterian/Episcopal agreement, please click here. For an application please email everdith.landrau@pcusa.org.
|
|
|
|
REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!
2019 National Workshop on Christian Unity
comes to St. Louis, MO April 1-4, 2019
Our upcoming workshop includes a rich program of plenaries and seminars, a banquet, off-site tours, and opportunities to join together in prayer. Our theologian in residence will be Brother Emile from the Taizé Community in France. He will lead us in daily prayer, reflections and study throughout our time together.
|
|
|
|
Register today! The theme this year is ''Getting back to Basics as We Envision Our Way Forward in Taking Care of God's Business.''
|
|
GOOD READS FOR BLACK HISTORY MONTH!
|
|
|
Recommended reading for the month by Rev. Winbush!
|
|
Ecumenical @ Heart!
Highlights of our ecumenical partners at work
|
|
|
2015-2024-International Decade for People of African Descent
As we celebrate Black History Month in the United States, we are mindful of the important international work happening in our midst. Much of this work is carried out by ecumenical partners and people of goodwill. We take a moment to highlight an important resource, 'Preventing & Countering Racial Profiling of People of African Decent Good Practices & Challenges' Our colleague, the Reverend Dr. Angelique Walker-Smith, Senior Associate for Pan African and Orthodox Church Engagement with Bread for the World, brings to remembrance words from her experience as part of the 2018 UN working group of experts on People of African Descent:
“The meeting came at an important moment in the life of the faith community and broader society in North America. We are in a period of deep lament with the perpetual assaults on people of African descent in North America, families from south of the USA seeking asylum in the USA greeted by hostility as more troops go to our USA borders, and the tragedy of 11 fatalities at the hands of a gunman in Pittsburgh....” Read More...
Coming up in March-International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination!
|
|
National Council of Churches, features Miguel de La Torre. The quote goes like this: “The Death of Christianity within the United States has been a slow process, and it may very well be in its final throes. So I say, let the dead bury their dead.” Professor and speaker Miguel De La Torre has a new book out, and this always-challenging author is critiquing a Christianity that he says has sold its soul to white nationalism. Listen to the interview.
|
|
|
|
WCRC: CALL MADE FOR ACTION AGAINST DISCRIMINATION
|
|
Ecumenism meets Interfaith:
|
|
|
Interreligious dialogue brings faith leaders together for conversation and fellowship... Read More
|
|
Interfaith News
By: Rick Ufford-Chase, Associate for Interfaith Formation
The Parliament of World Religions was held in Toronto in November 2018. Billed as the “largest, oldest, and most diverse and inclusive interfaith” event in the world, the gathering lived up to its reputation. I was fortunate to attend in my role as the associate for interfaith formation for the Presbyterian Mission Agency and was accompanied by several of my colleagues from the multifaith Community of Living Traditions at Stony Point Center where I live. Read More...
|
|
|
|
|
For more information on the Parliament of World Religions please click here
|
|
|
Submit your application for Ecumenical Service
If you are interested in serving the PC(USA) on ecumenical tables or committees, submit an application with your resume/C.V. and endorsement of your presbytery. Download the application and submit it with supporting materials to ecumenical.relations@pcusa.org
|
|
|
|
|
