wfn.org | Lew Mudge memorial pays tribute to ���the leading ecumenist of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

["Franziska Surber" <Franziska.Surber@warc.ch>]

>World Alliance of Reformed Churches
>News Release
>19 October 2009

Lew Mudge memorial service pays tribute to “the leading
ecumenist of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)"

A memorial service in tribute to Lewis (“Lew”) S. Mudge, a
leading 20th century Presbyterian theologian, ethicist and
ecumenist, is to be held today at Nassau Presbyterian Church in
Princeton, United States. Mudge died on 11 September in his home
in Berkeley, California at the age of 79 following a long and
distinguished career in ecumenism and interreligious dialogue. 

In the sermon to be delivered at the service, Clifton
Kirkpatrick, President of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches
(WARC), calls Mudge “the leading ecumenist in the Presbyterian
Church (U.S.A.)” and praises his ability as a gifted
communicator. 

Recalling Mudge’s role in drafting a statement about justice in
the economy on behalf of WARC’s General Council in Debrecen,
Hungary (1997) Kirkpatrick says: 

“The Declaration of Debrecen has become one of the all time
classics [and] mobilized Reformed Christians and the church
ecumenical to a new covenant for justice in the economy and the
earth.” 

Interfaith representatives are expected to join Christian
academics and church leaders in paying tribute to Mudge whose
most recent publication promotes interreligious dialogue among
the peoples of the three Abrahamic faiths. The Gift of
Responsibility: The Promise of Dialogue Among Christians, Jews
and Muslims (2008) addresses the need for understanding in light
of tensions in the Middle East region.

Mudge read theology as a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford University in
England, was ordained in 1955 following study at Princeton
Theological Seminary and went on to earn a Ph.D. in Religious
Studies from Princeton University in 1961.  From 1957 to 1962,
Mudge served as WARC’s Secretary of the Department of Theology in
Geneva, Switzerland. 

A second memorial service will be held on 28 November at First
Presbyterian Church in San Anselmo, California where Mudge lived
and taught for the past 20 years.

Mudge is survived by his wife, three adult children and four
grandchildren.
***

The World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC) brings together
75 million Reformed Christians in 214 churches in 107 countries -
united in their commitment to making a difference in a troubled
world. The WARC general secretary is Rev. Dr. Setri Nyomi of the
Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana. WARC's secretariat is
based in Geneva, Switzerland.

>Contact:
>Ms Kristine Greenaway
>Executive Secretary, Communications
>World Alliance of Reformed Churches
>150 Route de Ferney
>P.O. Box 2100
>1211 Geneva 2, Switzerland
>tel.  +41.22 791 6243
>fax: +41.22 791 6505
>web: www.warc.ch