by Katherine R. Hinck*, ELCA News Service
The Office for Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Relations of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church (ELCA) recently completed a series of
downloadable bulletin resources that provide factual information
about the ELCA's five full-communion partnerships and one interim
eucharistic agreement.
"The new bulletins are simple, concise and easy to use for ...
congregations," said Dr. Michael R. Trice, associate director,
ELCA Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Relations. "The bulletins
educate and inform the readers of ongoing ecumenical
relationships. They increase awareness."
Full communion is not a merging of churches but encourages church
bodies to work together in a variety of local and international
ministries. Full communion supports a mutual recognition of
ordained ministers, which allows clergy of one church to serve in
congregations of another church body. "Interim Eucharistic
Sharing" is an intermediate step leading to full communion. The
ELCA is in full communion with The Episcopal Church, Moravian
Church in North America, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Reformed
Church in America and United Church of Christ, and it has
established Interim Eucharistic Sharing with the United Methodist
Church.
*Katherine R. Hinck is a senior journalism and religion major at
Augustana College, Sioux Falls, S.D. This summer she is an
intern with the ELCA News Service.
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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
