The ELCA is in full pulpit and altar fellowship with the Episcopalian Church, i.e., a congregation of either confession can call a pastor/priest from the other. I've thought this was a hypothetical adjunct to the ecumenical process, but no longer—I have a concrete instance of this having been done, and the person so called is an long-time (I would not say "old"...) and dear friend.
He was called jointly to two congregations, an ELCA congregation and an Episcopalian congregation in the same town. It's an area of great natural beauty, and a sizable proportion of the people who live in the area do so only during the summer. A joint call represents a great solution to their joint challenges.
Ordinarily, the congregations worship separately, but my wife and I were privileged to attend the first service at which they worshipped together. The Episcopalian congregation had previously arranged to hold their picnic at a local park. They decided to have the worship service as a part of that picnic, and to invite the Lutherans to both. So we worshipped in the Episcopalian style in a beautiful park overlooking an inland sea, and later enjoyed a very lovely church picnic, with Episcopalian brats and hamburgers. A great time was had by all, and I've heard that the Lutherans have plans to reciprocate.
The challenges of such a situation are worth reflecting on, but I find it delightful that these two congregations can now see the essential unity that they have as Churches of Jesus Christ, while retaining the ability hold on to and enjoy their distinctive traditions. This may be even better than union.
Peace
2 comments:
technically and canonically and one might even say spiritually those to which you refer are not churches...ecclesial communities perhaps would sound better...it creates too much confusion doesn't it?...i mean everyone knows jesus established only one church...that they may be one
now the lutherans and the anglicans are ganging up on rome
no fair
of course the monarchys of england were always german anyway the breakaway ecclesial communities might as well band forces
there aren't too many steps for you folks to become orthodox in the best sense...that would seem to me to be the work ahead for you folks
for us it will mean getting the weakminded idiocy of humanism out of the church...telling the women to shut-up just a little not completely mind you just a little...and getting everyone to listen to the holy father
his new encyclical is a must read
you folks should really pay attention to that
it may be fruits of ecumenism but from here it looks more like scrambling and desperation
there is schism over pereverts in the anglican ranks
it's because they honor a queen isn't it
ah well
j
technically and canonically and one might even say spiritually those to which you refer are not churches...ecclesial communities perhaps would sound better...it creates too much confusion doesn't it?
I think "ecclesial communities" is a bit cumbersome, although I understand the effort at precision. I'm trying to distinguish between "the Church" (note definite article, and capitalization) from "churches" (note the lack of a definite article, and the lower case), with the latter meaning what you call "ecclesial communities," and hoping that context will disambiguate usage. I think this accords with common usage, although admittedly common usage is imprecise.
now the lutherans and the anglicans are ganging up on rome
no fair
I don't think so. Actually, the Roman Catholic Church is an enabler of the particular arrangement I describe, and also a beneficiary of it. May they continue to be both.
his new encyclical is a must read
I saw it, but didn't have time to read. I'll try to make the time, but Kirby has a prior claim.
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