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National Workshop on Christian Unity
Equipping Church Leaders in the Quest for Christian Unity
Sponsored by the National Ecumenical Officers Association
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NWCU Plenary Video Files

 

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Opening Worship and Sermon by Clifton Kirkpatrick

The NWCU Opening Worship Service was held at St. Mary's Basilica in Downtown Phoenix. Leading the worship service were religious leaders from the local community: the Rev. Dr. Ken Moe (Presbyterian), Bishop Thomas Olmsted (Catholic-Phoenix), Metropolitan Gerasimos (Greek Orthodox), Bishop Minerva Carcaño (United Methodist), the Rev. Dr. Dennis Williams (Disciples of Christ), the Rev. Dr. Jan DeVries, (Presbyterian Synod of the Southwest), Bishop Gerald Kicanas (Catholic - Tucson)and the Rev. Dr. John Dorhauer (United Church of Christ).

the Rev. Dr. Clifton KirkpatrickThe sermon was delivered by the Rev. Dr. Clifton Kirkpatrick, President of the World Alliance of Reformed (WARC). Prior to his retirement in 2008, Dr. Kirkpatrick served as the Stated Clerk of the Presbyterian Church (USA). The service included several anthem by Choirs and Musical Performers from the Phoenix area.

Keynote Address by Metropolitan Gerasimos

In their first Plenary Session, attendees heard the NWCU Keynote Address, which was again sponsored by the Order of St. Lazarus.  Making the Keynote Address, for the 2009 NWCU, was Metropolitan Gerasimos, Greek Orthodox Metropolitan for the Archdiocese of San Francisco. 

Plenary Bible Study by Dr. Margaret Mitchell

Professor Margaret MitchellDr. Margaret Mitchell, Professor of New Testament and Early Christian Literature at the University of Chicago Divinity School, led the attendees in a study in which she shared some of her work on the Corinthian letters.  The NWCU Bible Study is sponsored by the American Bible Society

Workshop Closing Speaker  - Mel Robeck

Closing Plenary and Luncheon with Mel Robeck (inset)

The closing address of the National Workshop on Christian Unity was the Rev. Dr. Cecil "Mel" Robeck, Jr., Professor of Church History and Ecumenics and the Director of the David J. DuPlessis Center for Christian Spirituality at Fuller Theological Seminary. 

NWCU Seminar Audio Files

Seminar 1 - Ecumenism 101

Dr. Thomas Ferguson and Dr. Michael Trice - Ecumenism 101This seminar was for all those who are new to the formal structures of the ecumenical movement. It provides a brief history and introduction to the movement, context for current dialogues, overview of national and
international ecumenical onversations,
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.

Seminar 2 - Student Essay Contest

Student Essay Contest WinnersTheological students were asked in their 2008 fall semester to submit an essay that drew on the theme, “That they may be one in
your hand,” (Ezekiel 37:17) which suggests a move from apostasy to dispersion to redemption and fi nally to unity. The students were to address the ecumenical weaknesses of their own traditions, refl ect on biblical stories that could strengthen their witness to Christian unity, and then propose reforms that would enhance their own church’s ecumenical insight. The essay contest winners from the denominational ecumenical networks commented on their essays and lead a panel discussion in the seminar on ecumenical reforms.

Seminar 3 - Eucharist

The Rev. Dr. Louis WeilThis seminar was the second in a three-year series on “Baptism, Eucharist, and Ministry,” Faith and Order Paper No. 111 issued by the World Council of Churches in 1982. This year’s focus will be on the theological and practical implications of Eucharist. Among items discussed was whether increased mutual understanding expressed in the statement may allow some churches to attain a greater measure of eucharistic communion among themselves, and so bring closer the day when Christ’s divided people will be visibly reunited around the Lord’s Table in the Church’s highest act, the praise of God.

Seminar 4 - Patristics and the Early Church’s Contribution to Ecumenism

The Rev. Joel Elowsky of Drew UniversityThis seminar presented some of the key patristic interpretations of one of most often cited biblical passages for Christian unity, John 17:21 “That they may all be one.” Discussion will include how the ancient church understood the unity embraced in this passage and how they viewed the role of the Trinity and, more specifically, the Holy
Spirit in bringing about the unity to which this passage urges both the church and her members. The conclusions of this presentation seek to provide guidance from the ancient Christian writers in understanding what kind of unity is possible and should be sought today and how this might inform our 21st century discussions on ecumenism.

  • Download Rev. Joel Elowsky of Drew University - Awaiting Recording

Seminar 5 - Living the Lund Principle

the Rev. Dr. Paul SchreckChurches should act together in ALL  matters except those in which deep differences of conviction compel them to act separatel This is the Lund Principle. Agreed at the 1952 Faith and Order Conference of
the World Council of Churches convened in Lund, Sweden, this break-through principle remains tragically unknown to many people. Very few church leaders consciously try to live by it. Although reaffirmed in the 1995 papal encyclical Ut Unum Sint, lack of
awareness of the principle begs the question,“Is the principle viable today?” This seminar will explore the implications of the Lund
Principle for the life and mission of congregations, local judicatories, and beyond. What“deep convictions” compel separation today?
To what extent can we combine our Christly ministries? What is the impetus that keeps Christian communities functioning autonomously? How will your congregation live the Lund Principle?

Audio Files (continued from column one)

 

Seminar 6 - Capacity of Faith – Latino-Catholic Perspective

Dr. Peter CasarellaChristian faith has as its very foundation a belief that Christ is revealed as a new Adam, whose mission for the world includes the promotion of the unity of all believers and  of mankind. The faith of Latina and Latino Catholics is sometimes falsely portrayed as inhabiting a cultural and religious barrio in which little or no attention is paid to this fundamental truth. The point of this presentation will be to refl ect on the Biblical, spiritual, and ecclesiological foundations for making a proposal generated in and through the Christian faith that will foster genuine unity in the world today. In the process, the specific challenges faced by Latino Catholics with regard to secularism, nihilism, and the Biblical mandate for Christian unity will also be discussed.

  • Download Dr. Peter Casarella - Catholic   - Awaiting file

Seminar 7 - Racism as an Impediment to Ecumenism
Racism Task Force membersThis seminar is the first of a multi-workshop series on dismantling racism in our churches as we seek to live faithfully into God’s gift of unity. It will explore the implications of racism to Christian unity and the various resources our communions have to share as we seek to live into God’s admonition to act justly, to love mercy and walk humbly with our God.

  • Download Task Force presentation - Awaiting file

Seminar 8 - Can Mormons Be Part of the Ecumenical Movement?

Dr. William Millett and Dr. Richard MouwEven though Arizona’s second largest religious group is Mormon, it has been common for traditional Christians to exclude the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints from ecumenical dialogue. This exclusion is based primarily on Christology and the Trinitarian doctrines that they hold. Or have held. Theology within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has started to use a more orthodox vocabulary that requires us to revisit this seemingly adversarial relationship. Dr. Millett presents Mormon thought on Christology, the Trinity, Soteriology, and Eschatology. To provide a
probing response Dr. Mouw speaks from the perspective of a conservative evangelical.  Then, perhaps, a new conversation can
begin between all of us.

  • Download Dr. William Millett (LDS) and Dr. Richard Mouw (PCUSA) - Awaiting file

Seminar 9 - The Ecumenical Implications of Post-Modern Thought

Nick KniselyIn the 20th Century developments in science and philosophical thought have led to a reevaluation of the  enlightenment intellectual enterprise which underlies most of Protestant and post-Tridentine theological thinking. As scientific discoveries have repeatedly confirmed that this reevaluation is required of all secular thinking, theologians and philosophers are starting to reexamine the historical methodology of denominational thought. There are likely significant opportunities to recast the ecumenical enterprise as a result. This seminar will discuss some of the philosophical and scientific developments in thinking and suggest a few possible implications for the ecumenist.

Seminar 10 - Common Words Among Christians and Muslims

Lucinda Mosher
Dr. Lucinda Mosher
On 13 October 2007 A Common Word Between Us and You: An Open Letter and Call from Muslim Religious Leaders was promulgated. Addressed to “Leaders of Christian Churches, everywhere,” this invitation to fellowship and dialogue had 138 signatories, each significan't in stature and influence, and together embodying the worldwide breadth of Islam. In the year since its release, A Common Word has elicited a variety of thoughtful responses. This seminar will explore this phenomenon and several other recent Christian-Muslim dialogical projects—the ways in which they have honored or protected difference as well as the ways in which they have celebrated the common ground upon which Muslims
and Christians stand.

Seminar 11 - Did not take Place

Seminar 12 - How Christian Faith - Speaks to the Issue of Immigration

Bishop Minerva Carcaņo

Bishop Minerva Carcaño, United Methodist

The national issue of immigration reform takes on special focus in a border state like Arizona. How should the faith community
respond in face of “enforcement first”  policies that show disregard for children or  their families? Is the “new sanctuary” movement an appropriate response? How much should we press for fairer employment and social service laws that have been sharply curtailed in this state? Two of Arizona’s bishops and a Christian activist who have all been in the forefront of this debate will discuss what has happened and what we hope can happen.  This seminar was led by Bishop Gerald Kicanas - Catholic, Bishop Minerva Carcaño – United Methodist, and Joe Rubio – Catholic.

 

Still being prepared to web

Network Documents & Audio Files

EIF-PCUSA Network, (Presbyterian Church)

UMEIT (Methodist) Network

Larcum Luncheon

LARCUM (Lutheran, Anglican, Catholic & United Methodist) heard a presentation by Father Ron Roberson, CSP, on the topic, Responses to Ut Unim Sint
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