F A L L 2 0 0 9 International Standard Serial Number: ISSN 1943-6467 (print) The ARK A Publication of The American Association of Interchurch Families

WWW.AIFUSA.ORG COPYRIGHT (C)AAIF 2009 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED z z BECOME A PART OF AAIF The American Association Other options may be of Interchurch Families considered as ways open. Augue fugiat meets every two years to In 2008, the pastors got to Fusce lectus proin, neque cr as eget, integer quam facilisi a hold a biennial conference. share their stories and this adipiscing posuere. Imper We meet at different was "a real hit" for those diet sem sapien. Pretium locations in the United who attended. AAIF also natoque nibh, tristique odio eligendi odio molestie mas sa. States. brings in a keynote speaker Volutpat justo fringilla rut for our conferences. rum augue. Lao reet ulla These are wonderful mcorper molestie. opportunities for us to AAIF is a community of all nnn gather in to listen to the volunteers, and is Please Mark stories others have to tell. registered as a nonprofit Your Calendars We last met in the summer organization. To join AAIF, please see membership The next AAIF Biennial of 2008 in June in Conference will take place Friday Louisville, KY. Our next at www.aifusa.org - Sunday, JULY 9-11, 2010 at conference will be July 9 - We welcome you, no Holy Wisdom Monastery/ 11, 2010 in Madison, matter where you are on Benedictine Women of Madison Wisconsin. Wisconsin; your interchurch journey, Please see We try to meet during the your extended families, www.benedictinewomen.org months when families can and your pastors. At this link you will find lots of attend with their children. information about their outstanding ecological efforts. The AAIF Biennial Conference ECUMENISM IN OUR HOMES will be here before you know it. AAIF now has a video, "Bridging the Divide" Please plan to join us. Please that we use and can use to promote the consult www.aifusa.org for understanding of interchurch families as updates as they are made and to actively doing something good for Christian get conference registration Unity. materials and forms. Please contact: aaif.co.chair at gmail.com

Page 1 Volume: 20 Edition: 3 AAIF News Report IN CONVERSATION WITH THE VATICAN

While in Rome during April for an academic conference, AAIF Pastoral Adviser Fr. George Kilcourse scheduled a meeting at the offices of the Vatican’s Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity. He has served as liaison between AAIF and the PCPCU since October 2005, when an eight-nation, international delegation of interchurch family representatives met with PCPCU staff.

Fr. Kilcourse described his April 22 meeting with Monsignor Mark Langham as “very helpful and encouraging.” “He indicated that the Vatican’s future international bilateral dialogues will broaden to address pastoral realities such as interchurch families” said the Bellarmine University priest-professor. “It is a significant development that demonstrates the importance of interchurch marriage and family life as a meaningful and highly visible sign of Christian unity.”

Monsignor Langham received copies of the most recent issue of the AAIF newsletter The ARK, edited by Mary Jane Glauber, and the new AAIF video, “Bridging the Divide.” He remarked that he was “delighted to have such resources” because they assist PCPCU staff by chronicling “the Photo of Monsignor Mark Langham and Fr. George initiatives taken to cultivate pastoral Kilcourse at the offices of the care of interchurch families.” Vatican’s Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity (Above) During their discussions, Fr. photo property of the photographer all rights reserved Kilcourse pointed out, “I reminded Monsignor Langham that it will soon be five years since the first consultation with representatives of the Interchurch Families International Network.” He discussed the imminent retirement of Cardinal Walter Kaspar, President of the PCPCU, and then he suggested that, “It would be especially timely for IFIN representatives to convene with the PCPCU staff in the wake of such a significant transition.”

Page 2 Volume: 20 Edition: 3 News Release The International Day of Prayer for Peace was on Monday, Sept. 21, 2009

WCC ( World Council of of Peace. The Day of Prayer is Churches) member churches one of the initiatives of the worldwide were once more WCC's Decade to Overcome invited to pray for peace on 21 Violence. Congregations September 2009 or the closest worldwide are invited to pray Sunday. The International Day for peace annually- possibly of Prayer for Peace offers an using the same prayers - in all opportunity for church participating churches on communities in all places to September 21 or the Sunday pray and act together to preceding it. nurture lasting peace in the For immediate release: 18 May hearts of people, their families, 2004 (to be repeated communities and societies. annually) Photo of Church Windows at the The idea was proposed in Episcopal Church of the Advent, 2004 during a meeting Source: http://archive.elca.org/ Louisville, Kentucky (Above) ecumenical/life/09september/ between WCC general index.html can be accomplished with love and secretary Rev. Dr Samuel peace. Kobia and UN Secretary Commentary: This seems like it should be so simple General Kofi Annan (http:// As interchurch families, we are keenly to accomplish, but it obviously isn’t, or www2.wcc-coe.org/ aware that some interchurch families in pressreleasesen.nsf/index/ we would have peace everywhere. We some parts of the world live in “War pr-04-06.html) and coincides must continue to search for ways to with the UN International Day Zones” or physically dangerous places accomplish peace both in small ways sometimes that are made even more and in grand ways, to consciously Photo of Church Windows at the dangerous because the couple has Episcopal Church of the Advent, study ways to find peace, and to Louisville, Kentucky (Below) married across denominational or diligently work for peace at every level. interchurch lines. May our interchurch lives serve as Extended family members or former living examples of love and peace for neighbors may view one of the spouses the world. ~ Mary Jane Glauber as being a sort of traitor to the other now

militarily charged side and of a different Note to Interchurch/ religious (and even a Christian) Ecumenical Couples and to denomination (historically should you all Clergy have lived in Northern Ireland, for who give us pastoral care example) simply because they have attended worship services with their Please plan to attend the 2010 spouse. This can create a very dangerous National Workshop on Christian situation for an interchurch couple who Unity April 19-22, 2010 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, 211 North has simply fallen in love. Tampa Street, Tampa, Florida May love “conquer all”, as we pray for USA: peace around the world. So much more Register at www.nwcu.org Page 3 Volume: 20 Edition: 3 Photos taken at the Desert Botanical Garden; Phoenix, Arizona; May 2009 ~ just after the NWCU Photos in this issue copyright of MJG and may not be copied or reproduced

The Cycle of Christian Unity by Jason Weirich The term “reduce, reuse, recycle” has been ingrained in our minds from the days of elementary school. Schools host programs to teach young children how to reduce waste, reuse products, and recycle containers. As people learn to take part in making the “3 R’s” a part of their daily living; their perception about the environment begins to change. Appreciation and respect for everything in our environment is something that is learned.

We can learn much from the “3 R’s” in regards to being aware of our surroundings. The home, the Church, and the community are all places that appreciation and respect must be taught and applied. The cycle of Christian unity (home, Church, community) is similar to the “3 R’s” in that when all three aspects are approached equally, Christians will become more united.

The home: The Photos of the chapel at Pine Mountain Settlement first place where Christian School, on Cumberland Mountain, KY ~ April unity must be taught is in 2009 the home. Parents are with their children for more time than their schoolteachers, pastors, priests, and mentors. It is in the home where children and teenagers get their best example of how to talk, walk, and practice the Christian faith. Young people pick up traits from their parents that saturate into their spiritual mindset. According to God’s Word, parents are given the holy and awesome (and scary?) responsibility of raising their children in the faith. We cannot expect parents to raise perfect children; however, we can encourage them to be like Christ in their homes. As a youth pastor, I encounter many interesting family dynamics. Different faith traditions, denominational upbringings, and cultures intertwine into the DNA of each family. Whether someone is Orthodox, Protestant, or Catholic, they each bring different elements to the family unit. Holiday traditions, views on the Church, and views of other Christians are formed within the home. Unfortunately, the prejudice, assumptions, and distaste for other Christian denominations is also modeled in homes. How do we combat this attitude? Love. Continued on the next page Page 4 Volume: 20 Edition: 3 As someone who is in ministry full-time, I have met people THE CYCLE OF who insist that their particular CHRISTIAN UNITY church has it all together and (continued from the previous page) they are “doing ministry right” Love is the foundation of compared to the church down Christianity. If Jesus had not the street. A dangerous Church window at St. Suplice RC Church loved us; he would not have attitude can brew within Paris, France used hung on the Cross for us. We churches that have this to determine scientific data using the sun many years ago. must love each other in our philosophy. The Body of ( above) homes before we can love Christ (the Church) is far from vision, and growth. The others. The home is the place perfect; Christ is our only church leaders have a great where children and youth example of perfection. opportunity to encourage unity learn to love (or hate) the Christian unity happens from the pulpit. This does not Church and other Christians. within the Church when we lay suggest that we change the You might not agree with down our prejudices and theology, doctrine, and some of the theology, church assumptions about other practices of our churches; structure, or sacraments of a Christian denominations. We however, it does place great particular Christian begin to see people for who responsibility on church denomination; however, we they are, brothers and sisters leadership. Church leadership are still called to love one in Christ, and not for their sets the tone for the rest of the another. Love starts at home denominational affiliation. We congregation. If those of us in and trickles into everything respect each other for what leadership believe our church else. we bring to Christ in terms of is superior in practice, worship spiritual gifts, experiences, style, and doctrine; our and ministry opportunities. congregations will take this Community involvement approach. becomes more realistic as The Church cannot impact churches join together for the community if we are not events and services. The united as a corporate body of Church can reach unity as a believers. This goes much whole; however, a paradigm deeper than a few churches Prayer candles at St. Suplice shift must take place with sharing a potluck dinner or Church, Paris, France ~ All pastors, priests, bishops, Christians ask for prayers. bake sale together. Church (above) elders, and other core leaders. leadership must be willing to In every church within the drop their agendas, pride, and The Church: The Church is a realm of Christianity, the prejudices. Our agendas as major influencer of Christian congregation looks to their ministers of Christ should be unity; however, the home is leadership team for wisdom, still the primary influencer. Continued on the next page

Page 5 Volume: 20 Edition: 3 THE CYCLE OF People are looking to us to . . . . . step up our desire for CHRISTIAN UNITY God’s will, stand out amongst (continued from the previous page) the crowd, and reach out to Brother Roger: to bring people into a personal those who need God’s love “God is love relationship with Christ. Our whether they attend our pride can be replaced with church or not. alone” purpose, grace, and abundant Christianity has hundreds of love for others. The denominations. Our churches http://www.taize.fr/ en_rubrique8.html prejudices we have formed have many differences; about other Christians can be however, we have the same http://www.taize.fr/ transformed into learning Savior. I challenge you to en_article7333.html experiences and opportunities focus on each other’s Cardinal Kasper who has been a to pray for others. similarities instead of our representative of the Vatican’s Pontifical Council for Promoting The Community: The final differences. It is our love for Christian Unity describes Brother God and each other that will stage of Christian unity takes Roger’s quest for Christian Unity place within the local transform our homes, through the Taize Community community. As we reach this churches, and communities. three years after his death in the stage, I encourage you to May we be beacons of light to link above. Cardinal Kasper’s full think about YOUR IMPACT all we come in contact with. statement can be found at the link above. Interchurch Couples within the community. Do By Jason Weirich will find this article to be of great people know you are a interest and very hopeful. Christian? Are you currently (c) Jason Weirich - Mary Jane Glauber serving within your local Jason Weirich is a youth pastor from church? Are you friends with York, Pennsylvania where he other Christians who have lives with his beautiful wife, Stephanie and their dog, distinct differences in doctrine Dunkin'. He recently married or practice when compared to on May 30, 2009. Jason has your faith? a Bachelor of Arts in Youth Ministries from Mt. Vernon Summary: People are Nazarene University and a desperate for hope during Master of Arts in Religion/ Spiritual Formation from these tough economic times. Northwest Nazarene Where will they turn? Many University. He enjoys sports, people are searching for God. reading and writing, and Christians are God’s spending time with friends with and family. One thing representatives and this is a Jason desires for Christians to The bouquet toss at the great responsibility. Every realize is that while many of us have reception for Christian represents Jesus different views on sacraments, an interchurch couple’s doctrine, church polity; we share the wedding. Christ to the unchurched. same God who loves all of us.

Page 6 Volume: 20 Edition: 3 News Release ELCA Assembly Adopts Full Communion with the United Methodist Church

ELCA NEWS SERVICE That motion to refer the decision was voted down by more than August 20, 2009 90 percent of the assembly. MINNEAPOLIS (ELCA) -- By a vote of 958-51, the Churchwide Ten ELCA bishops were among those who lined up at Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America microphones to speak in favor of the full-communion (ELCA) adopted a full communion agreement Aug. 20 with the agreement. Speakers told of cooperative and joint United Methodist Church (UMC). This is the ELCA’s sixth full ministries already being conducted by Lutherans and communion relationship and the first for the UMC. United Methodists and noted the need for more such The assembly also adopted an implementing resolution by ministries and cooperation, especially in rural and remote a vote of 922-15. areas. ( Recognizing, then answering a greater need - MJG) In 2008, the UMC General Conference adopted the same Steven Chapman, a layman from the ELCA Northwest agreement. Washington Synod, asked, “What took so long?” in reference to The churchwide assembly, the chief legislative authority of the agreement. “I know what Lutherans are going to bring the ELCA, is meeting here Aug. 17-23 at the Minneapolis to the potluck,” he quipped, “but what are the Methodists Convention Center. About 2,000 people are participating, going to bring?” (Humor is wonderful-MJG) including 1,045 ELCA voting members. The theme for the “I think we have the same recipe books,” answered biennial assembly is “God’s work. Our hands.” Bishop Sally Dyck of the UMC’s North Central Judicatory Before the ELCA’s vote, the Rev. Gregory D. Palmer of the Episcopal area of Minnesota, which drew laughter and UMC said it would be “a great day” for both churches. “I am applause from the assembly. grateful that we have come to this point.” At a news conference Full communion is not a merger. But it means that the following the two actions, Palmer -- who is president of the two churches express a common confession of Christian UMC Council of Bishops -- said that “God has brought both faith; a mutual recognition of Baptism and sharing Holy our churches to a broad place where Jesus Christ calls Communion; join worship and freedom to exchange us ... to all be one [and] to go out for the sake of the members; agree to mutual recognition of ordained world.”( An element of Christian selflessness-MJG) ministers for service in either church; express a common “We welcome you as you welcomed us last summer,” the commitment to evangelism, witness and service; engage in Rev. Mark S. Hanson, ELCA presiding bishop, told Palmer after common decision-making on critical matters; and a mutual the first vote, “and we rejoice at what the spirit has in store for lifting of criticisms that may exist between the churches. us.” The two churches began formal theological dialogues “This is indeed a day of great rejoicing,” said the Rev. together in 1977, which led to declarations of “Interim Donald J. McCoid, the ELCA’s executive for Ecumenical and Eucharistic Sharing” in 2005. Inter-Religious Relations. The ELCA has 4.6 million baptized members, and the UMC Just after the first full communion proposal was read to the has 8 million.Information about the 2009 ELCA Churchwide assembly, the Rev. Barbara M. Wills of the ELCA Northeastern Assembly can be found at http://www.elca.org/assembly/ Iowa Synod moved to refer the measure to the presiding bishop Commentary: for further study throughout the church body, and for it to be re- Interchurch Couples who are members of the UMC presented to the 2011 ELCA Churchwide Assembly. She said and the ELCA , and who are married to each other in she was concerned that there had not been sufficient time for an interchurch marriage, must be rejoicing at this such study. good news. For other combinations of interchurch “We’ve had a long time of discussion [in both couples, this is a sign of hope and of possibility at churches],” McCoid responded. “I think it’s important for our which the world can look as one possible role model. church to respect the process.”(Time to talk & to listen; This Many thanks to the UMC and the ELCA on behalf of process had been going on for a long time. -MJG) Interchurch Families! ~ M.J. Glauber

Page 7 Volume: 20 Edition: 3 A Humble Observation about the Ordinary "Presence of God" An Observation About My Experience church is filled with voices singing, unlike the at the NWCU situation in most churches, on any given Sunday morning. This is awe inspiring! Those

from an Interchurch Perspective who bring their gift of music, often from ethnic 2009 Phoenix, Arizona churches in the area, also seem to be moved by Mary Jane Glauber, by the gifts of music from the other ethnic Member AAIF, Immediate Past National AAIF Co-Chair churches they may otherwise have never heard For the past three years on behalf of the before; this respect or awe can often be seen in American Association of Interchurch Families, their faces as they listen for their turn to sing or as one of the National Co-Chairs, I have placed sometimes to sing and to dance as their gift to a display table at the National Workshop on this ecumenical worship service. I come away Christian Unity. http://www.nwcu.org/ This so thankful for the diversity that America has to allowed me to share information about AAIF offer by way of forms of worshipping our with other ecumenists. Creator. I am so thankful to our national founders who allowed us the “Freedom of As someone who simply placed a display and Religion” so that there are all these forms of who observed the NWCU more as an outsider, expression of the divine in our country. In its I continue to find the NWCU to be an amazing many forms, when we show how grateful we all event that brings together the Ecumenical are to our one Creator, they can be such leaders from across the United States each beautiful manifestations of an inward spirit of year while including local Ecumenists from gratitude that we share in common although each area. This is an experience that I would perhaps expressed differently. There is truly a like to recommend to all of our AAIF members place for all of them. and to all clergy who give pastoral care to Continued on the next page interchurch couples at any point along their journey. Photo of the Sudanese “Lost I have attended the opening worship service for Boys” performing Liturgical Dance at the past three years, and this without fail is the opening ecumenism at its best. Each culture and church Ecumenical Worship contributes music and forms of prayers from for the NWCU at the Roman Catholic their usual worship to that opening worship. Basillica of St. Mary Also well known hymns for most denominations in Phoenix in 2009. are sung; the church is filled to capacity with Many other groups also participated people who tend to be very involved with liturgy and contributed. > and church things in their daily lives so that the

Page 8 Volume: 20 Edition: 3 Continued fromThe the previous Ordinary page “Presencewished to foster a ofbetter God” relationship between them. They took this custom with them into Germany. Many hymns are sung in a church On the second evening this year, I misread the setting, and then in the midst of the service, program, and ended up at the Protestant attendees are invited to discuss with their worship thinking that I was going to the neighbor in the pew next to them how God has “Moravian Love Feast.” The Lutheran been present in their life or something like that. Eucharist was celebrated in the Episcopal We had a delicious cup of coffee with cream Cathedral of Phoenix and then the Latino and another sweet roll that I suspected was Community served supper. One of their made by that same Mexican baker who had members owns a Mexican Bakery; he had sent brought us “Pan Dulce” the night before. over “Pan Dulce” made exactly the way I had remembered it from when I had studied in I had arrived at the church about half an hour Mexico City when I was young. This is the kind early for a variety of reasons, some quite by of bakery that North American Cities should be accident, but so had another family. We seeking out and inviting into all of their enjoyed looking at the wonderful colored glass neighborhoods; everyone raved over the flavor. church windows together. The glass was cut in It was just as good as I had remembered it! The irregular shapes that made the bright Arizona tortillas were hot and freshly made too; nothing sun pass through it in different angles, shooting is any better than that. We can’t buy them in our the now colored light out, all over the sanctuary; local grocery stores here that taste as good. I it was a novel approach made by local artisans felt like God had been really good to me that that suited the climate. Continued on the next page day; I had misread the program so I could be at this meal eating with very congenial people who wrote down the name for “Pan Dulce.” They wanted to be able to ask for it when they got back to Pennsylvania or where ever life would pull them back to at the end of the week. The next evening, I went back to the same location, this time to observe the actual “Moravian Love Feast.” I had heard about this Stained glass window at the as a possibility for ecumenical gatherings Episcopal Cathedral of Phoenix before, but I did not know how it would be to (above) experience this. If I have understood the history correctly, it began in what is now the Czech Photos in this issue copyright of MJG and Republic between two ethnic groups that may not be copied or reproduced

Page 9 Volume: 20 Edition: 3 The Ordinary “Presence of God” Continued from the previous page When it came time to take a seat, I sat with < Section of stained glass window at the this family. I have no idea how long we had Episcopal Cathedral to share “talking with each other.” The of Phoenix, Arizona. church was buzzing with voices speaking (Below) Madonna and child in the one to another all around us, the voices garden at the blended into the background as we Episcopal Cathedral focused on our own conversation. We of Phoenix. were in the midst of a deep conversation when the organ began the next hymn and we (Below) Stained Glass window all began to sing; the time for talking was over. and organ pipes Once again the same group of ecumenists at the back of the completely filled the sanctuary with their Episcopal Cathedral of singing voices; it is beautiful when the church is Phoenix, Arizona. filled to brim like that.

When the church service ended, the woman who I had been talking to and I must have realized at the same time that we would most likely never see each other again, and yet we had what would have normally been a every time a “Moravian Love conversation on which Feast” was celebrated? I don’t community would be built; we embraced as if know. This was my only experience, but it was we were saying good-bye to a relative who was very positive for community building for that leaving, and who would be gone for a very long one time. For denominations, where we have time if they could return at all. The bonds had not yet figured out ways to share “The been made across what is often thought of in Eucharist” between us, being able to verbally the United States as a racial divide of White share “How God has been present in our and African American, only to be lost by lives” while sharing a cup of coffee and a distance and life’s circumstances; perhaps she “Pan Dulce” in a church setting with many felt as sad as I did knowing that our lives would hymns that also deal with that topic, is a very go our separate ways after that evening? positive step toward a unity of spirit. Continued on the next page Would this kind of bond be made Photos in this issue copyright of MJG and may not be copied or reproduced

Page 10 Volume: 20 Edition: 3 Continued fromThe the previous Ordinary page “Presencecommon. We were of even God” born in the same state, Even in our interchurch homes, over dinner, and we shared so many of the same concerns when we all gather together as a family, we for the world across what are typically racial could ask this question,”How boundaries in the U.S.A that usually divide has God been present in our us and keep us far apart at least lives today?” This kind of geographically in our cities. question makes you think about all the gifts that we tend to take It was not by accident that some of us for granted in our lives. Have are in interchurch marriages, we have you ever shared a good laugh been given a gift to share; we carry a with a friend or a cry? Have you message of love that crosses some ever felt the joy of figuring out old boundaries that divide. something new? What is it about the sight of a little baby that brings us all such great joy? Have you ever watched a flower May you feel God’s presence at work in your blossom uncurl lives. May you permit God to work in your life/ its petals in the lives. May your life’s work show God’s presence spring? Have you in your life whether you are in an interchurch family or if you give ever baked or Top Photo: Episcopal cooked pastoral care to an Cathedral Bell Tower, interchurch family. Phoenix, Arizona; Left: something that Cactus Flower in bloom your family on the desert in May; by Mary Jane Glauber Below: Desert Plants thoroughly find ways to survive and May 8, 2009 enjoyed? What become beautiful in the Louisville, KY process. had inspired those copyright (c) 2009 mjg artisans to create those wonderful church windows in just that way in that Cathedral in Phoenix? All is inspired by the Creator.

You see, I think that God is very present in the most ordinary events of our lives each day. It wasn’t really by accident that I arrived at that church early and that the other woman and her family arrived there early either. It was by design, not mine nor hers, that I should meet such a congenial person. We had so much in

Page 11 Volume: 20 Edition: 3 IFIN International News Release IFIN Announces Up-coming Conference on The Domestic Church At the 3rd European Ecumenical Assembly in Sibiu, Romania, 4-9 September 2007, Thomas Knieps Port-le-Roi of the University of Louvain in Belgium, presented a paper entitled,” Are Interchurch Families Domestic Churches?” Thomas Knieps-Port le Roi, a Roman Catholic Theologian, and a representative of Interchurch Families International Network, is himself in an interchurch marriage.

During the 40th anniversary conference of the are welcome from a scholarly, but also from an British AIF in Swanwick last year we were experience-based perspective. discussing the possibility of organizing a conference on "domestic church" - a topic we * The conference will provide the opportunity have been reflecting and discussing about for for the IFIN (Interchurch Families International some time already within the IFIN . Network) to meet and to exchange on an I am very happy to announce that from 10-13 international level. Ultimately, we do not have March 2010 the Chair for the Study of so many opportunities to meet in person – the Marriage & Spirituality in cooperation with conference would be a chance to renew old the Ecclesiological Investigations International contact and create new ones. Research Network and the Centre for Ecumenical Research at the Catholic * The conference offers an interesting University of Leuven will be hosting an theological program with enriching and international conference on the theme “The inspiring contributions from scholars and Household of God and Local Households – practitioners that will help us reflect and Revisiting the Domestic Church” at the discuss about the relationship between Catholic University of Leuven in Belgium. churches and families – a field which Further information is available at interchurch families are particularly attentive http://www.intams.org/ to. I would be grateful if you could spread the Although the situation of interchurch families information within your national groups and to will not directly be addressed by the key anyone who might be interested in it. I hope to welcome you in Leuven in March speakers, I am convinced that the conference 2010. will be of particular interest also for interchurch With kind regards and best wishes, couples and their families: ~Thomas Knieps-Port le Roi

* The conference includes various paper THE DOMESTIC CHURCH IS ALSO REFERRED TO AS sessions in which scholars and practitioners “THE LITTLE CHURCH OF THE HOME OR FAMILY” BY SOME PROTESTANT are offered the possibility of presenting papers DENOMINATIONS on the topic of domestic church. This is an Please note: “Domestic Church” and “Little excellent opportunity to draw attention also to Church of the Family” in this case, can be used the specific situation of interchurch families. It interchangeably. The preceding event, is my hope that we can have a separate described by Thomas Knieps-Port Le Roi, above will be ecumenical. session with various contributions from the Please consider attending. interchurch family perspective. Papers ~ MJG

Page 12 Volume: 20 Edition: 3 IFIN International News Release

Association of Interchurch Families News Release- U.K.

AIF England:News Release: outstanding natural beauty with a host of Saturday 20 March 2010 attractions for visitors including walking, Our Anglican President is The Most Rev and Rt climbing, cycling, caving, water sports, Hon Lord Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr museums of industrial history, castles, stately Rowan Williams, who will deliver the 6th John homes and theme parks. Coventry Memorial Lecture on that day. The ...... biennial Memorial Lectures are organised by Further details to follow - keep an eye on the AIF in memory of our Co-Founder Fr John website www.interchurchfamilies.org.uk, Coventry SJ - with Martin and Ruth through which those interested will be able to Reardon - following his death in 1985. reserve places soon.

We will hold an AIF meeting in the morning, and the lecture will take place in the afternoon, AAIF’s relationship with and is open to all. We hope and expect that it the IFIN and AIF will be very well attended! If we have The American Association of Interchurch international visitors, AIF can easily arrange Families is the only official contact accommodation and further hospitality with organization with the Interchurch Families interchurch families in London and elsewhere International Network (IFIN). International in the country, and we will be delighted to do Conferences are held intermittently; the last so. international and multilingual interchurch ...... families conference was held near Rome in Saturday 28 - Monday 30 August 2010 2003. These kinds of conferences require the

services of simultaneous interpreters. The AIF UK 43rd Annual Conference will be held at Swanwick in Derbyshire on the subject The Rome 2003 Document was produced from of 'Interchurch Families as Prophets'. Among that conference with input from interchurch the speakers will be the Rt Rev Bill Ind, former families from all over the world. It is an excellent document! It can be found at Anglican Bishop of Truro in Cornwall, and www.interchurchfamilies.org Information noted scholar Canon John Udris, Dean of about how to order print copies for a very Northampton RC Cathedral. The conference is modest cost is also located at that same open to interchurch couples and families, and website. ~MJG to all those interested in or pastorally concerned with them. There will be a full “Do your little bit of parallel children's and young adults' programme. good where you are; it’s those little bits of good See www.cct.org.uk for details of The Hayes Conference Centre where the conference will put together that take place. This is situated on the edge of the overwhelm the world” Peak District National Park, an area of ~ Archbishop Desmond Tutu

Page 13 Volume: 20 Edition:3 Many thanks to all who have contributed articles for this edition of the ARK, and for all of you who helped with the editing process.: special thanks go to: Carol & Dave Natella, Fr. George Kilcourse, and Jason Weirich. I am most grateful for all the work that made this edition possible. M.J. Glauber

copyright of AAIF 2009 (c) all rights reserved FALL 2 0 0 9 TheARK A Publication of the American Association of Interchurch Families

Photos: St. Mary’s RC Basilica, Phoenix, AZ ( image of Our Lady of Guadalupe & Exterior) and and an interchurch couple’s wedding in Indiana.

If you have an article that you would like to submit to the ARK for publication, please send it to mjglauber at gmail.com

International Standard Serial Number: ISSN 1943-6467(print)

THE ARK a Publication of the American Association of Interchurch Families 2506 Glenmary Avenue Louisville, KY 40204 www.aifusa.org aaif.co.chair at gmail.com

God, the Creator, is present all around us in all that we see and do in our ordinary lives. We simply need to listen and to look for that of God. We should look for “that of God” in all the people we meet. This is ecumenism at work in our daily lives, as God, our Creator wishes for us. “Creation” in Holy Scripture refers to and describes the relationship between God and all God’s wonderful works.