wfn.org | Lutheran, Episcopal writers work on full communion proposal

[ENS.parti@ecunet.org (ENS)]

February 27, 1998
Episcopal News Service
James Solheim, Director
(212) 922-5385
jsolheim@dfms.org

98-3002
Lutheran, Episcopal writers work on full communion proposal
(ENS) The Lutheran and Episcopal teams charged with drafting a revised proposal for full communion between the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and the Episcopal Church met in Chicago February 17-18.  Their goal is to have a new document ready in time for the ELCA Church Council's April meeting and then the ELCA's spring synod assemblies, according to the Lutheran's Presiding Bishop H. George Anderson.
"What we hope is that synod assemblies will look at the document and provide some feedback and comment on points they feel need clarification or amendment or change," Anderson said.  
"The intent not for a yes-or-no at that point, but that voting members will see this as a first draft and that we seek their comments to help us develop the clearest, best possible, most acceptable final draft," Anderson said.  
"We envision wide review," Anderson said.  "Because the text will be ready for scrutiny by synod assemblies doesn't preclude study and review by congregations and other groups who would submit suggestions and comments."
The Rev. Daniel Martensen, ELCA director for ecumenical affairs, outlined the timetable: "This was the team's second working session.  It will meet in March, at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minn., and again with the advisory panel in April."
 "We are still facing multiple options," Martensen said. "Drafting assignments have been given to team members."
The Rev. Martin E. Marty of Chicago leads the ELCA team.  He said the group has decided not to comment publicly on its work until the April meeting.  
Anderson has extended an invitation to that meeting to members of the Standing Commission on Ecumenical Relations of the Episcopal Church.  
The Conference of ELCA bishops will hear an update on the writing process and the committee working on education programs when it meets March 6-10, Martensen said.
Martensen estimates the writers' final text will be finished in November when the Church Council meets again.  The council would transmit the document to ELCA congregations for discussion, to synod assemblies for another round of review, then to the 1999 Churchwide Assembly in Denver for action.  In the spring of 1999 ELCA synods could adopt "memorials" for consideration by the Churchwide Assembly.

-Ann Hafften is director of ELCA News and Information in Chicago