wfn.org | ELCA Assembly Hears Greetings from Full Communion Partners

[News News <NEWS@ELCA.ORG>]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

August 13, 2001

ELCA ASSEMBLY HEARS GREETINGS FROM FULL COMMUNION PARTNERS
01-CWA52-LJ

     INDIANAPOLIS (ELCA) -- Leaders from the Reformed Churches, the
Moravian Church and the Episcopal Church, greeted the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) 2001 Churchwide Assembly on Saturday,
Aug. 12, strengthening and supporting the voting members in their
mission here in Indianapolis.
     The churchwide assembly, the chief legislative authority of the
ELCA, is meeting here Aug. 8-14 at the Indiana Convention Center.  There
are nearly 2,500 people participating, including 1,039 ELCA voting
members.  The theme for the biennial assembly is "Making Christ Known:
Sharing Faith in a New Century."
     The Rev. John Thomas, president and general minister of the United
Church of Christ represented the Reformed Churches (the Presbyterian
Church (U.S.A.), the Reformed Church in America, the United Church of
Christ).  Thomas told the assembly, "Let this full communion
relationship draw us beyond ourselves to a wider horizon where the
issues of violence and racism and poverty threaten to overwhelm us.  Let
the experience at the [communion] table not be one of personal
refreshment but one of mission, to carry us into the world so threatened
to be overcome by violence. Let us look our day full in the face and
participate in the joyous thud of division. Let this be a good day of
full communion."
     The Rev. Burke Johnson, president of the northern province of the
Moravian Church, said " I bring you greetings in the name of Christ.
Our full communion continues to journey forward as we complement our
understandings of the church.  We [Moravians] too, have many differences
among us about biblical interpretation, ordination and issues of
charismatic worship, among others. We are one when we believe that God
loves us; that the power of love and faith do transcend the artificial
distinctions that cause separation."
     The Rt. Rev. C. Christopher Epting, deputy for ecumenical and
interfaith relations, the Episcopal Church said, "Thank you for my
opportunity to stand before you to assure you of our commitment to
making Christ known.  I bring you greetings from the Rt. Rev. Frank T.
Griswold III, Presiding Bishop and Primate, and from lay and ordained
Episcopalians across this country."
-- -- --

     Information about assembly actions is at
http://www.elca.org/assembly/01 on the ELCA's Web site.  Recorded
updates during the assembly are available by calling 773/380-2477.

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