Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Relations

That they may all be one

~ John 17:21

The quest for Christian unity in the world inspires the faith and shapes the life of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The ELCA office of Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Relations has the task of assisting this church in that quest.

Inter-Religious Case Studies: Call for Submissions

We want to hear your stories of engaging with people of other religions through an ELCA ministry. What was most challenging? What was most fulfilling? What were the most pressing theological questions and practical concerns?

We invite you to submit your stories (1000 words or less) to ELCA Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Relations for possible inclusion in a collection of case studies of inter-religious life in the ELCA. Photos, videos, or illustrations are also welcome.

You can email submissions to erinfo@elca.org, or mail them to Kathryn Lohre, ELCA Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Relations, 8765 W. Higgins Rd., Chicago, IL 60631. A sample case study written by the Rev. Peg Schultz-Akerson, pastor of Faith Lutheran Church in Chico, California, is available here.

Formula of Agreement

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and three U.S. Reformed churches that make up the “Formula of Agreement” issued a report Jan. 7 that considers the question of Scripture and moral discernment regarding human sexuality and other topics. Click here to read that report.

An Ecumenical Way Forward

In February 2013, Bishop Marcus Lohrmann, Northwestern Ohio Synod, offered a presentation at Lourdes University in Sylvania, Ohio, entitled, “Full Communion Relationships: An Ecumenical Way Forward.” To download the paper, click here.

E-Life

For the latest news from Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Relations, please click here to view our most recent e-newsletter, called "E-Life." You can also follow the link to sign-up to receive E-Life electronically.

National Workshop on Christian Unity & LERN Annual Meeting

Registration is now open for the NWCU to be held April 8-11, 2013, in Columbus, Ohio. To register, you can either go online or download the brochure and registration form. PDF Format

For more information, go to the ELCA's Lutheran Ecumenical & Inter-Religious Representatives Network (LERN) home page. In addition, LERN holds their annual meeting during the workshop. You can download the LERN registration form.

Take the Plunge into a Deeper Spirituality

May 29 - June 9, 2013, Geneva, Switzerland & Taizé, France

Experience the global faith community at the ecumenical centers in Geneva and Taizé. For four days, young adults from Canada and the United States will visit The Lutheran World Federation and World Council of Churches in Geneva to learn how we are connected across the globe through the church. Then they will travel to the Taizé community in southern France for a retreat week. There they will experience firsthand the unique style of worship and music that arises from that community as it welcomes youth from across the globe. | Read more

Strasbourg 47th International Ecumenical Seminar

The Institute for Ecumenical Research in Strasbourg, France, is hosting the 47th International Ecumenical Seminar on “Saints without Borders: Ecumenical Reflections on the Great Cloud of Witnesses” that will take place in Strasbourg, France, on July 3-10, 2013. For more information, download the informational piece

and the registration form

, or contact the Institute at StrasEcum@ecumenical-institute.org

LWF Internet Conference

The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) will break new ground in its continuing efforts to strengthen social services efforts by Lutheran congregations around the world, by holding a virtual conference on diakonia on June 5, 2013. The one-day Internet-based conference is framed around the theme “Stand Up and Walk,” based on the story about Jesus healing a paralytic (Mark 2: 9-12). Discussions will focus on new trends in how churches and their related organizations respond to human need. Registration is free and open to all those who are interested. Persons engaged in diaconal ministry and diakonia are encouraged to register. For more information and registration, go here.

Resources for the 10th Assembly of the WCC

A new online publication from the World Council of Churches (WCC) invites parishes and congregations to explore the themes of Christian unity, justice, and peace leading up to the 10th Assembly in Busan, South Korea. The six-unit resource, Pilgrimage to Busan: A Journey into Ecumenical Christianity, is designed for use by congregations in study groups, adult forums, or for a day-long retreat. Participant and leader guides are available for free download. The assembly will take place October 30 - November 10, 2013, in Busan, Republic of Korea, under the theme: God of Life, Lead Us to Justice and Peace. For more information, see the WCC Assembly website.

Study Guide for Discover Islam DVD Series

ELCA synod offices, seminaries and members of our nationwide Lutheran Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Representatives Network recently received a generous gift from Discover Islam – USA: complimentary copies of a six-disc DVD series titled Discover Islam. This series, endorsed by the Islamic Society of North America, can also be previewed and ordered at www.discoverislam.com/elca . Authored by Carol Schersten LaHurd, a study guide was produced by the ELCA Consultative Panel on Lutheran-Muslim Relations and A Center of Christian-Muslim Engagement for Peace and Justice at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. The study guides are available for free download here.

DVD Series information