ELCA Assembly Affirms CUIC Relationship

 — Aug. 12, 200112 aoüt 2001

INDIANAPOLIS (ELCA) — The Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) affirmed by a vote of 892-25 that the ELCA accept an invitation to become a “partner in mission and dialogue” with Churches Uniting in Christ (CUIC).

The churchwide assembly, the chief legislative authority of the ELCA, is meeting here Aug. 8-14 at the Indiana Convention center. There are more than 2,000 people participating, including 1,040 ELCA voting members. The theme for the biennial assembly is “Making Christ Known: Sharing Faith in a New Century.”

CUIC evolved from the former Consultation on Church Union (COCU), a project for greater unity among nine Protestant bodies. CUIC churches include the African Methodist Episcopal Church, African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, Episcopal Church, International Council of Community Churches, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), United Church of Christ and United Methodist Church. The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) also joined this year.

The ELCA’s role as a partner in mission and dialogue is not an agreement for full communion. In its role, the ELCA would send a delegation to the CUIC inaugural event in January 2002, commit to combating racism with CUIC churches and become a full participant in dialogue on ministry.

“You (the ELCA) have taken a lead (in ecumenism),” said the Rev. Michael Kinnamon, St. Louis, CUIC general secretary, in a hearing before the vote. “You have done amazing things to break down barriers. All we have to lose is our ‘separateness,’ not our identities.”

Speaking for the proposal, the Rev. James M. Brandt, voting member, ELCA Central States Synod, said he favors CUIC to “deepen our level of cooperation,” with other churches, especially African Methodist Episcopal and African Methodist Episcopal Zion churches.

“Sunday morning still remains one of the most racially divided times of the week,” he said. “CUIC responds to that.”

Posted: Aug. 12, 2001 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=4786
Categories: ELCA News
Transmis : 12 aoüt 2001 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=4786
Catégorie : ELCA News


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