LERN: Lutheran Ecumenical & Inter-Religious Representatives Network
A Network of Lutheran Ecumenists Serving the Synods and Bishops of the ELCA
LERN: A Network Serving the Synods and Bishops of the ELCA
LERN is a network of volunteers who represent the 65 synods of the ELCA. Each volunteer in the network is appointed by their local Bishop and serves at the Bishop’s request. LERN representatives serve as a model for ecumenical and inter-religious endeavors of the life of the synod, as well as an agent for their respective Bishop on behalf of the quest for Christian unity and inter-religious awareness in the life of the ELCA.
Please visit other areas within the ELCA Ecumenical and Inter-religious Relations section.
Theme for 2013
What Does God Require of Us?
(cf. Micah 6:6-8)
At least once a year, many Christians become aware of the great diversity of ways of adoring God. Hearts are touched, and people realize that their neighbours' ways are not so strange.
The event that touches off this special experience is something called the
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Traditionally celebrated between 18-25 January (in the northern hemisphere) or at Pentecost (in the southern hemisphere), the Week of Prayer enters into congregations and parishes all over the world. Pulpits are exchanged, and special ecumenical worship services are arranged.
Ecumenical partners in a particular region are asked to prepare a basic text on a biblical theme. Then an international group with WCC-sponsored (Protestant and Orthodox) and Roman Catholic participants edits this text and ensures that it is linked with the search for the unity of the church.
The text is jointly published by the
Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and WCC, through the
WCC's Commission on Faith and Order , which also accompanies the entire production process of the text. The final material is sent to member churches and Roman Catholic dioceses, and they are invited to translate the text and contextualize it for their own use.
LERN: A Network of Lutheran Ecumenists
GET INVOLVED
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is committed to fostering unity between the children of God for the sake of the world. As members of the ELCA, we have the responsibility and opportunity to participate in the work of the Gospel through ecumenical and inter-faith outreach. Volunteering can take many forms. You could
work in your community, or contact the LERN representative from your synod using the
interactive map. In addition, the office of Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Relations ocassionally seeks out interested and experienced individuals to serve on the many committees for
ecumenical dialogues,
inter-religious relations, or
discourses . To be considered for one of these positions, please fill out the
ELCA Biographical Information & Nomination Form 
and return it following the instructions.
LERN DIRECTORY
The interactive map identifies LERN representatives in relationship to the Synods and Regions of the ELCA.
View Map
LERN is on Facebook
LERN now has a Facebook page for members of the ELCA's Lutheran Ecumenical Representatives Network and other ecumenically minded individuals in the ELCA to share information and foster grass roots ecumenism. Our thanks to Rev. Nathan Allen, Region 4 Boardmember.
Join the conversation!
Ecumenical & Inter-Religious Relations Presentation
In April of this year, LERN members from all over the country had an opportunity to meet for education, conversation and fellowship. Their gathering took place in conjuncture with the
National Week of Christian Unity in Tampa, Florida. At the LERN meeting, The Rev. Donald McCoid and Dr. Michael Trice gave an informative PowerPoint presentation outlining their work at the ELCA. The presentation covers:
Go here to
download the presentation the presentation
, including the presentation notes used by Rev. McCoid and Dr. Trice. (Click on the link and select "Save.")