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National Workshop on Christian Unity
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Descriptions of 17 Seminars, 8 each day When Registering: Choose the three Seminars you would like to attend, making sure that you have chosen one each for Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday, when they are available. Level 1, 2 or 3 indicates the degree of familiarity with the subject that will be assumed, 1 being the least. 1 The Ministry of a Congressional Chaplain Level 1 (Tues) Father Daniel Coughlin Chaplain for the United States House of Representatives Serving since 2000 and first Catholic priest to be a congressional chaplain, will discuss the ministry he provides for the members of the House of Representatives as they attempt to balance the responsibilities and tensions they may experience in trying to combine their religious beliefs, personal values, and political ideologies with their role as government leaders. Other related matters regarding the ecumenical role of a congressional chaplain will be addressed as well. 2 Baptism, Eucharist and Ministry: 25th Anniversary Level 2 (Wed., Thurs.) The Reverend Dr. Geoffrey Wainwright After a brief pre-history of BEM, attention will be focused on the contents of this document, its reception, its influence, and its continuing need and potential. The presenter was a member of the " BEM core group" of the World Council of Churches Faith and Order Commission in the years immediately before and after the issuance of the document (1976-1991); and he chaired the final establishment of the text at the Lima meeting of the Commission in January, 1982. Besides familiarity with the Lima Document itself (Faith and Order Paper No. 111), participants would profit from having read Baptism, Eucharist and Ministry 1982-1990: Report on the Process and Responses (Faith and Order Paper No. 149). 3 Baptism—Seminarian Essay Winners Level 1 (Tues.) Dr. Michael Trice Baptism calls us into the world! Advocacy, field education, theological study, working in diverse ministry contexts––our vocations rise up with our baptisms. In this seminar, seminarians from different churches around the country discuss models for how baptism is foundational to ecumenical agreements in congregational parish life. The World Council of Churches' key document, Baptism, Eucharist and Ministry, is the foundation for discussion. Come explore and discuss with these students the present and future needs of unity in a world drawing up from the sacred waters. 4 IARCCUM: Growing Together in Unity and Mission; Anglican-Roman Catholic Dialogue Level 3 (Tues.) The Right Reverend Chris Epting and Almost forty years have passed since Archbishop Michael Ramsey paid the first formal visit of an Archbishop of Canterbury to the Pope, in this case Pope Paul VI, since the Reformation. Behind the divisions of the Reformation lay fifteen hundred years of communion in faith and practice. Despite the present “imperfect communion” between these two churches, the recently formed International Anglican Roman Catholic Commission on Unity and Mission (IARCCUM) believes that the theological statements of ARCIC (Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission) over the past 35 years should be translated into practical progress in our relations and common mission. This presentation given by an Episcopalian and a Roman Catholic will consider this new initiative and its recently published working paper, which attempts to state honestly what has been achieved in the dialogue, what remains to be done, and what can be done practically “on the ground” in the meantime. 5 Scripture, History and the Search for an Ecumenical Ecclesiology Level 2 (Wed., Thurs.) The Reverend Dr. Joseph Fitzmyer and Every ecclesiology, tacit or explicit, is shaped by the traditions within which we live and have been formed. Baptism, Eucharist and Ministry brought ecclesiological questions to the forefront of ecumenism. On the 25th anniversary of BEM, New Testament scholar Joseph Fitzmyer and church historian William Petersen, using the resources of scripture and the experience of the church in history, ask the question whether there can be a truly ecumenical ecclesiology and, if so, what issues would it have to satisfy in order to serve the ecumenical enterprise. 6 Churches Uniting in Christ (CUIC)—Implementing Ministry Level 1 (Wed.) The Reverend Patrice L. Rosner In June, 2006, the Rev. Patrice L. Rosner assumed the directorship of Churches Uniting in Christ. The ten member communions of CUIC are seeking significant movement toward greater unity, looking to reach a common mind on ministry and full recognition of the forms of ministry exercised within their various communities in the near future. At the same time, the CUIC member churches and one partner in mission and dialogue, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, seek to overcome the racism and white privilege within the churches and in society. In this workshop Rosner will share her perspective on CUIC, as she completes the first six months in her new ministry as its director. 7 Forming the Next Generation of Pastoral Ecumenists: Level 1 (Tues.) The Reverend Dr. John W. Crossin, OSFS This seminar will explore some of the Washington Theological Consortium’s new initiatives to form pastoral ecumenists. Some of these initiatives could be replicated in other communities, even without a consortium of seminaries at hand. This workshop will explain the vision, the successes and the challenges (expected and unexpected) of several of the WTC’s efforts, including: ecumenical events for the public, deepening faculty collaboration, increasing ecumenical course offerings for students, and a new Masters-level Certificate Program in Ecumenism. For professionals at the highest level, a Doctor of Ministry degree in Ecumenism has been co-sponsored by the WTC and Wesley Seminary. New consortium interreligious initiatives and dialogue opportunities have enhanced ecumenical efforts as well. 8 Lessons Learned in Local Ecumenical Efforts The Reverend Dr. Christopher Agnew and The Reverend Dr. Michael Lee Nelson Messiah United Methodist Church Is anybody listening? This seminar will explore ways in which churches and judicatories on the local level have been listening and responding to the ecumenical movement. A panel representing successful local ecumenical efforts will discuss the lessons they have learned, and how they can be applied in other settings. The panel will include members from United Christian Parish (a local ecumenical congregation in Reston, Virginia, affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Presbyterian Church (USA), the United Church of Christ and the United Methodist Church) , Virginia LARCUM (a Lutheran, Anglican, Roman Catholic and United Methodist covenant on the judicatory level), the Virginia Council of Churches Faith & Order Commission and the Washington Metropolitan Area Lutheran-Episcopal Coordinating Committee.
9 Christians in the Holy Land Level 3 (Thurs.) The Reverend John Tidy Apostolic Nuncio to the United States The Right Reverend Bishop Vicken Aykazian President Elect of the NCCCUSA This seminar will explore the difficulties of Christians in making a common witness in the Holy Land as their numbers dwindle, and the positive impact that a common witness of Christian churches in the United States could make in supporting them. Some positive and negative experiences of those who have lived or worked in that context will be shared.
10 Progress & Potholes on the Road to Unity: Updates & Obstacles Level 2 (Tues., Wed.) The Very Reverend Dr. William H. Petersen (Tues.) Dr. Ann Riggs (Wed.) This seminar will present an update on ecumenical dialogues, principally in bilateral ecumenical conversations, but with some notice of multilaterals. The spectrum of goals from “mutual understanding” to “reconciliation of differences” to “full communion” will be considered with attention to national, regional and some global perspective. In addition, the appearance of new causes of hesitation, obstacles to unity, and division between and within ecclesial communities will be examined. Discussion will focus on the elements necessary to meeting these new challenges.
11 Ecumenism 101 Level 1 (Wed.) The Reverend Dr. Robert K. Welsh This seminar is for newcomers to formal structures of the ecumenical movement. It provides a brief history and introduction to the movement, context for current dialogues, an overview of national and international ecumenical conversation and engagement, and a sampling of new and emerging discussions. The presentation will draw on the attendees’ experience of ecumenical engagement and will encourage conversation and interaction.
12 Religion and the Media Level 1 (Tues., Wed.) Mr. Jerry Filteau, Catholic News Service Writing on national and international church news, being effective in getting the message of the churches placed on radio and TV, the tasks of accurately and compellingly relating religious news through and in “the media” are complex. Jerry Filteau, a senior reporter for Catholic News Service, and the Rev. Leslie C. Tune, communications officer of the Washington office of the National Council of Churches share their wisdom and experience.
13 Christian-Muslim Relations: Level 2 (Thurs.) Panelists: Coordinator for Interfaith Relations, Presbyterian Church (USA); Secretary General, Islamic Society of North America; Chair and Professor of Islamic Studies, Georgetown University; Special Assistant to the President for Interreligious Initiatives, Georgetown University Some church leaders and theologians are suggesting that we understand the dialogue between Christians and Muslims as an intercultural rather than an interreligious dialogue. If there are important differences between these approaches, what are they? Is a critical and appreciative Christian-Muslim understanding better served by discerning common values amid cultural differences, or by respectfully examining religious differences and what they have to teach us?
14 Making Christian Churches Together (CCT) Appropriate to Local Contexts Level 2 (Thurs.) Dr. Ann Riggs Christian Churches Together in the USA is a new forum growing out of a deeply felt need to broaden and expand fellowship, unity, and witness among the diverse expressions of Christian faith today. Coming into formal existence in March 2006, the national organization immediately suggested its suitability for replication on more local levels, especially in settings where no state or local council of churches exists. This seminar is a place to consider together the needs, tasks, questions, and successes of those building CCT organizations of Christian communities at the state and local level. Ann Riggs, director of the Faith and Order Commission of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA, will moderate the discussion but participants will be the real experts for one another as we together learn how CCT structures can be built in a variety of settings.
15 50th Anniversary of Faith and Order Level 2 (Thurs.) Dr. Keelan Downton NCCCUSA Faith and Order Postdoctoral Fellow In the summer of 2007, the Faith and Order Commission of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA (NCCCUSA) is returning to Oberlin, Ohio, to celebrate its Fiftieth Anniversary. Senior scholars such as Dr. Martin Marty will assist the review and assessment of the Commission’s work as we chart a course towards the future. The event will culminate in a service of revival and thanksgiving featuring the vibrant preaching of The Rev. Dr. James Forbes. The conference seeks to stimulate a new interest in multi-lateral ecumenical engagement at all levels of ecclesial life, especially among a younger generation and will include a unique ecumenical “film festival.” There will be a significant presence of ecumenists who work at local and regional levels and a training session following the meeting will focus on using Faith and Order materials in local settings.
16 The Concept of Spiritual Ecumenism Level 1 (Tues., Thurs.) The Reverend Dr. Diane Kessler What comes to mind when you hear the expression, “spiritual ecumenism?” “Making nice” with other Christians on social occasions? What you’re left with when the dialogues have hit the wall of the hard issues where doctrine still divides? “Ecumenism lite?” Considered by some the “heart and soul” of the ecumenical movement, spiritual ecumenism involves change of heart, holiness of life, public and private prayer for personal, communal, and ecclesial renewal. The presenters will unpack its considerable content and describe how they are engaging whole congregations in it through a four-day renewal event, “Gospel Call,” designed to deepen Christians’ sense of identity and solidarity with one another in mission.
17 Ecumenical Advocacy on Moral Issues Level 1 (Wed., Thurs.) The Reverend Dr. Michael Kinnamon Advocacy offices in Washington are sponsored by the churches to enable ready access to government and timely response to its actions. How do these offices work? How are current moral issues addressed, issues of war and justice, economics, human rights, and advances in medical science, to name a few? Is there an ecumenical approach to global issues such as genocide, inter-religious violence, the AIDS crisis, to enable a united Christian voice to be heard?
To contact us: Communications and Public Relations Committee Chair, Fr. Don Rooney Phone: 540-373-6491 NWCU2007 Communications
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