INDIANAPOLIS (ELCA) -- The Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) affirmed by a vote of 892-25 that the ELCA accept an invitation to become a "partner in mission and dialogue" with Churches Uniting in Christ (CUIC).
The churchwide assembly, the chief legislative authority of the ELCA, is meeting here Aug. 8-14 at the Indiana Convention center. There are more than 2,000 people participating, including 1,040 ELCA voting members. The theme for the biennial assembly is "Making Christ Known: Sharing Faith in a New Century."
CUIC evolved from the former Consultation on Church Union (COCU), a project for greater unity among nine Protestant bodies. CUIC churches include the African Methodist Episcopal Church, African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, Episcopal Church, International Council of Community Churches, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), United Church of Christ and United Methodist Church. The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) also joined this year.
The ELCA's role as a partner in mission and dialogue is not an agreement for full communion. In its role, the ELCA would send a delegation to the CUIC inaugural event in January 2002, commit to combating racism with CUIC churches and become a full participant in dialogue on ministry.
"You (the ELCA) have taken a lead (in ecumenism)," said the Rev. Michael Kinnamon, St. Louis, CUIC general secretary, in a hearing before the vote. "You have done amazing things to break down barriers. All we have to lose is our 'separateness,' not our identities."
Speaking for the proposal, the Rev. James M. Brandt, voting member, ELCA Central States Synod, said he favors CUIC to "deepen our level of cooperation," with other churches, especially African Methodist Episcopal and African Methodist Episcopal Zion churches.
"Sunday morning still remains one of the most racially divided times of the week," he said. "CUIC responds to that."
CUIC maintains a site at http://www.cuicinfo.org on the Web. -- -- --
Information about assembly actions is at http://www.elca.org/assembly/01 on the ELCA's Web site. Recorded updates during the assembly are available by calling 773/380-2477.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.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
