wfn.org | Appointments, Resolution Actions next for CCM, Says ELCA Bishop

[News News <NEWS@ELCA.ORG>]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

July 20, 2000

APPOINTMENTS, RESOLUTION ACTIONS NEXT FOR CCM, SAYS ELCA BISHOP
00-173-JB

     CHICAGO (ELCA)   As part of its historic full communion agreement
with The Episcopal Church, the next step for the Evangelical Lutheran
Church in America (ELCA) is to name appointees to a joint commission
that will administer the pact, said the Rev. H. George Anderson, ELCA
presiding bishop.
     "Although we have kept our representation to three on similar
committees with our other partner churches, this time we may increase
the number to five or six to widen the representation," Anderson said.
The commission will oversee implementation of the agreement, known as
"Called to Common Mission" (CCM).
     CCM was adopted overwhelmingly by the Episcopal Church at its
General Convention this month in Denver.  The same proposal was adopted
716-317 at the ELCA Churchwide Assembly in August 1999, also in Denver.
     Full communion is not a merger, but a relationship of closer
cooperation between the churches.  CCM opens the door for a variety of
cooperative ministries, and under certain circumstances, allows clergy
from one church body to serve congregations of the other.
     Another step for the ELCA is for its Church Council to review the
variety of proposals and suggestions for constitutional amendments
regarding CCM that some synods approved at their assemblies this summer,
Anderson said.  The council functions as the ELCA's board of directors
between churchwide assemblies.
     "These actions seek to modify the implications and implementation
of full communion," he said. "By November, the Church Council will need
to decide how that variety can best be organized for the consideration
of our next churchwide assembly."
     Earlier this year, the ELCA Church Council established Jan. 1,
2001, as the implementation date for CCM, subject to its adoption by the
Episcopal Church.  Both churches also announced that on Jan. 6, 2001,
they will celebrate the beginning of full communion with a joint worship
service at the National Cathedral in Washington D.C.
     Noting there will be many local CCM celebrations, Anderson urged
ELCA members not to wait "to get in touch with Episcopalians in your own
neighborhood."
     "We can pray together now for the welfare of our congregations and
the advancement of God's mission," the presiding bishop said.
     In addition to the Episcopal Church, the ELCA is in full communion
with four other churches.  They are the Moravian Church in America,
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Reformed Church in America and United
Church of Christ.
      "If this new partnership (with Episcopalians) develops as the
others have, we will discover many ways that we can help each other in
mission," Anderson added.
-- -- --
     Anderson made his comments in the July 15 installment of "Dial
Bishop Anderson," his regular message to ELCA members.  The message is
available on the ELCA Web site at http://www.elca.org/ob/dial.html or by
telephone through the end of July at 773-380-2930.

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html