CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Lutheran and Episcopal teams charged with drafting a revised proposal for full communion between the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and The Episcopal Church worked together here Feb. 17-18. Their goal is to have a new document ready in time for the ELCA Church Council's April meeting and then the ELCA's spring synod assemblies, according to the Rev. H. George Anderson, ELCA presiding bishop.
"What we hope is that synod assemblies will look at the document and provide some feedback and comment on points they feel need clarification or amendment or change," Anderson said.
"The intent is not for a yes-or-no at that point, but that voting members will see this as a first draft and that we seek their comments to help us develop the clearest, best possible, most acceptable final draft," Anderson said.
"We envision wide review," Anderson said. "Because the text will be ready for scrutiny by synod assemblies doesn't preclude study and review by congregations and other groups who would submit suggestions and comments."
In 1997 the ELCA defeated the original "Concordat of Agreement," which sought to establish full communion between the two churches. The ELCA "rededicated" itself to work toward that relationship.
The Rev. Daniel F. Martensen, ELCA director for ecumenical affairs, outlined the timetable for the process: "This was the writing team's second working session. It will meet in March, at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minn., and again with the advisory panel in April." The advisory panel is made up of ELCA pastors and lay people, bishops and scholars.
Martensen said, "We are still facing multiple options. Drafting assignments have been given to team members."
The Rev. Martin E. Marty, Chicago, leads the ELCA team. He said the group has decided not to comment publicly on its work until the writers' April meeting.
Anderson has extended an invitation to that meeting to members of the Standing Commission on Ecumenical Relations of The Episcopal Church.
The ELCA Conference of Bishops will hear an update on the writing process and the committee working on education programs when it meets March 6-10, in Woodland Hills, Calif., Martensen said.
Martensen projects the writers' final text will be finished by November when the Church Council meets again. The council would transmit the document to ELCA congregations for discussion, to 65 synod assemblies for another round of review, then to the 1999 Churchwide Assembly in Denver for action. In the spring of 1999 ELCA synods could adopt "memorials" or resolutions addressing the proposed agreement for consideration by the Churchwide Assembly.
For information contact:
Ann Hafften, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://www.elca.org/co/news/current.html
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About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 2.8 million members in more than 8,500 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of "God's work. Our hands.," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.
For information contact:
Candice Hill Buchbinder
Public Relations Manager
Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org
