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The Episcopal Church

Full Communion Partner since 1999

 

Prayer Petitions in Celebration of Our Full Communion Anniversary

 On January 6, 2001, the Feast of the Epiphany, a liturgical celebration of "Called to Common Mission," was held in Washington, D.C., at the Washington National Cathedral. In January of 2011, we will commemorate the 10th anniversary of this celebration with special prayers of intercession. Download the additional intercession petitions.  PDF Format

The Most Rev. Dr. Katharine Jefferts Schori, twenty-sixth Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal ChurchThe Most Rev. Dr. Katharine Jefferts Schori is the twenty-sixth Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church. She is chief pastor to the Episcopal Church's 2.4 million members in 16 countries and 110 dioceses, ecumenical officer, and primate, joining leaders of the other 38 Anglican Provinces in consultation for global good and reconciliation. Visit Bishop Jefferts Schori's homepage to read her sermons and view photo galleries of her travels.


 "Called to Common Mission" - A relationship of full communion with The Episcopal Church

The 1999 Churchwide Assembly in Denver voted for full communion between the ELCA and The Episcopal Church. "Called to Common Mission: A Lutheran Proposal for a Revision of the Concordat of Agreement" is the document that describes this full communion relationship. A Spanish version, Llamados a Una Misión Común, is also available.

The Episcopal Church took its final action on this relationship at its General Convention in Denver on July 8, 2000. Please visit The Episcopal Church's Web site to learn more about actions taken by their General Convention July 4-15, 2000. The ELCA also has issued several News Releases regarding actions of the General Convention.

Information about the celebration of the full communion agreement between the ELCA and The Episcopal Church is also available.


Frequently Asked Questions About "Called to Common Mission"
The public media often do not understand that this relationship of full communion is not a merger. Confusion often is a result of errors in reporting. The relationship, however, is not a corporate merger, and each church body will continue to govern its own internal affairs. Read more...

Click here to read an article by Bp. C. Christopher Epting of the Episcopal Church USA on the "mission" of Called to Common Mission. The article, titled Common Mission Moves Forward, was published in The Living Church, a national weekly magazine serving Episcopalians, in June of 2003.


Ordination in "Unusual Circumstances"
The ELCA Church Council began a discussion in July 2000 of a possible bylaw that might allow a candidate to be ordained by a Lutheran pastor other than a bishop in unusual circumstances. The proposed bylaw and policy that was adopted at the ELCA Churchwide Assembly in 2001 are available for downloading.

  • Bylaw Related to Ordination in "Unusual Circumstances"  PDF Format 
  • Policy Regarding Ordination in "Unusual Circumstances"  PDF Format


    The Historic Episcopacy and the ELCA
    Evangelical, Historic Succession and Oversight in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in Light of "Called to Common Mission, a document drafted by the Rev. Drs. Sarah Henrich, Arland Hultgren, and Merlyn Satrom and revised after consultation with several others, explores the meaning and implications of the historic episcopacy for the life and ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. This document is commended for study in the ELCA by a list of signatories attached at the end. Persons wishing to add their name to this list should contact Pastor Satrom via e-mail.

    The historic episcopacy has been a subject widely discussed. Another document, titled "Historic Episcopacy in the ELCA (PDF Format ) ," was developed in the "Ecumenical Lutheranism" meeting on LutherLink, an Internet meeting. This document was crafted by persons who have supported and opposed the adoption of "Called to Common Mission." This statement, which has no official status in the ELCA at present, is posted here simply as information.



    Lutheran - Episcopal Coordinating Committee

    The Lutheran - Episcopal Coordinating Committee (referred to in "Called to Common Mission" as a "Joint Committee") began meeting following the full communion celebration January 2001. Their charter, meeting minutes, and news releases are posted as they become available.

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