CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The synod of the Northern Province of the Moravian Church voted Aug. 9 to approve a proposal establishing full communion with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), the largest Lutheran group in the United States.
The Rev. R. Burke Johnson, newly elected president of the Provincial Elders Conference, Moravian Church, Northern Province, celebrated the approval. "I am very pleased that the Northern Province has joined with the Southern Province in approving the full communion legislation," he said. "I understand unity as God's gift to the church; our task is to make that gift visible."
In Chicago the Rev. H. George Anderson, presiding bishop of the ELCA, said, "We extend our gratitude now that both the Southern and Northern Provinces of the Moravian Church in America have voted positively on the proposal to establish full communion with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America."
Anderson said, "This action affirms the Lutheran church's longstanding relationship with the Unitas Fratrum -- our interwoven histories and theological traditions, our common commitments to mission and service to those in need, and our shared Christian faith. It also acknowledges the relationship of full communion the ELCA already enjoys with Moravians in other parts of the world through membership in the Lutheran World Federation."
ELCA congregations are studying the dialogue report, "Following Our Shepherd to Full Communion." Action will be taken by the ELCA at its Churchwide Assembly in August 1999.
Johnson's predecessor, the Rev. Dr. Gordon L. Sommers, said, "We thank God that we have found fundamental agreement that will lead us to enjoy the fullness of our unity between the Moravians and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. In addition to the sharing of the Lord's Table together, we believe that our quest for unity will honor Christ."
The Northern Province includes about 30,000 Moravians in 14 states, the District of Columbia, and two provinces of Canada. The Southern Province of the Moravian Church, with congregations in three states in the southeastern United States, took the same action in May.
The result of six years of dialogue between representatives of the two churches, this proposal is not intended to lead to a merger. It seeks closer working relationships at both the local and national level and exchange of clergy. Moravians and Lutherans already have close working relationships in Germany, South Africa and Tanzania.
For information contact:
Ann Hafften, Director 1-773-380-2958 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
