ELCA Celebrates 5th Anniversary of 'A Formula of Agreement'

CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
(ELCA) is marking the fifth anniversary of "A Formula of
Agreement" with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Reformed Church
in America and United Church of Christ.
The "full communion" agreement is not a plan to merge but
allows the churches to share locally and internationally in their
mission. It also makes it possible for clergy in one church to
serve as pastors in congregations of another church body under
certain circumstances.
"It is clear that the formula is not just an agreement
adopted 5 years ago; rather, it defines and describes a new way
that we as the ELCA are being the church. The fruits of the
formula are seen in growing partnerships in new mission starts,
exchanges of clergy, resource development and greater cooperation
among local congregations. They are also seen and are speaking
with one voice as we work together for peace and justice in the
world. Thank God for this concrete expression of the unity that
we are given in Christ," said the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding
bishop of the ELCA.
To help congregations celebrate the anniversary, a new
liturgy -- "A Celebration of the Fifth Anniversary of the Formula
of Agreement" -- was developed by the ELCA worship team in
consultation with the church's ecumenical partners. The liturgy
highlights "Baptismal Renewal," "Prayers of the People" and
"Communion of the People."
"While we were instrumental in preparing [the liturgy and
other resource materials] the invitation to use them came from
the leaders of the churches," said the Rev. Randall R. Lee,
director, ELCA Department for Ecumenical Affairs.
"Congregations of the ELCA are being invited to observe the
anniversary in two principal ways," Lee said. "One is to use the
Holy Communion liturgy and celebrate with congregations from as
many of the three Reformed partners as are present in their
communities. A second way is to engage congregations in adult
study, preferably with Reformed congregations, using study
resources prepared for this purpose."
The study features four topics for discussion -- full
communion, worship, decision making and living together. The
topics are designed to strengthen the full communion agreement,
deepen local understanding and encourage joint mission.
The ELCA proposed the liturgy and study resource to the
Lutheran-Reformed Coordinating Committee. Once developed, "the
materials were endorsed for use by that committee. In addition,
a letter signed by the four heads of communions was sent to all
judicatory leaders with the hope that they in turn would send it
on to be read in congregations," Lee said.
"The hoped for outcome of using both of these resources is a
deeper knowledge of one another's traditions and perhaps
deepening or introducing a congregation of one tradition to those
of the other and celebrating our unity in Jesus Christ with one
another at the Lord's Supper," added Lee.
The ELCA, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Reformed Church in
America and United Church of Christ adopted the agreement with a
series of votes from June 1997 to March 1998, entering into full
communion. The churches celebrated their new relationship
together during worship here Oct. 4, 1998.
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The full text of "A Formula of Agreement" adopted at the
1997 ELCA Churchwide Assembly is at
http://www.elca.org/ea/Relationships/index.html on the Internet.
The liturgy is at
http://www.elca.org/dcm/worship/default.asp and the study is at
http://www.elca.org/ea/Relationships/reformed/5th_anniversary_of_
the_foa.htm on the Internet.

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or news@elca.org
http://www.elca.org/news