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Ecumenical and Interreligious Handbook: a Resource for Annual Conference Committees on Christian Unity and Interreligious Relationships

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Ecumenical and Interreligious Handbook: a Resource for Annual Conference Committees on Christian Unity and Interreligious Relationships First Edition: 2016-2017 Ecumenical and Interreligious Handbook: A Resource for Annual Conference Committees on Christian Unity and Interreligious Relationships Published by The Council of Bishops First Edition: 2016-2017 Ecumenical and Interreligious Handbook: A Resource for Annual Conference Committees on Christian Unity and Interreligious Relationships Published by The Council of Bishops First Edition: 2016-2017 Ecumenical and Interreligious Handbook: A Resource for Annual Conference Committees on Christian Unity and Interreligious Relationships Jean Hawxhurst Published by The Council of Bishops 100 Maryland Avenue NE, Suite 300 Washington, DC 20002 www.ocuir.org Copyright ©2016-2017 United Methodist Church Design by Ric Washington Printed in the United States Contents: Introduction Chapter 3: Chapter 5: Chapter 1: The Work of the Council Practical Engagement Theology of of Bishops 34 Grants, Scholarships and Ecumenical and 20 Types of Local Ecumenical Resources Interreligious Ministry and Interreligious 35 How Can You Help 8 Biblical Foundations Involvement Churches Be Involved? of United Methodist 22 United Methodist Appendix Leadership in Christian Participation in Councils 36 A. Glossary Unity and Interreligious and Other Networks Ministry 37 B. Foundational 23 Anglican and Orthodox Documents 11 Disciplinary Foundations Communions of United Methodist 38 C. Periodicals Leadership in Christian 24 United Methodist D. Full Communion Unity and Interreligious Ecumenical Agreements Ministry and Interreligious Training E. CUIC Communion Chapter 2: Liturgy Ecumenical and 25 United Methodist 44 F. Week of Prayer for Interreligious Dialogues Christian Unity History and Polity 26 Full Communion Partners 58 G. The Lima Liturgy 14 The History of The 52 H. COB Resources 27 Other Partner United Methodist Church Relationships 54 I. Annual Conference in the Ecumenical and Central and Interreligious 28 Interreligious Conference Movements Relationships Episcopal Representatives 16 The United Methodist Chapter 4: Church Organization Prayer and Worship for Ecumenical and 32 Ecumenical Prayer and Interreligious Ministry Worship 31 Christian Sacraments and Special Church Rituals 32 Interreligious Prayer and Worship INTRODUCTION “Though we cannot In The United Methodist Church episcopal think alike, may we leaders are called to lead the denomination not love alike? in ecumenical and interreligious ministry. Paragraph 403.1e) of The United Methodist May we not be of Book of Discipline states that bishops lead one heart, though through several important disciplines, one we are not of one of which is “a passion for the unity of the opinion? church.” The paragraph clarifies: “The role of the bishop is to be the shepherd of the whole Without all doubt, flock and thereby provide leadership toward we may. the goal of understanding, reconciliation and unity within the Church - The United Methodist Herein all the Church and the church universal.” children of It is not exclusively the role of the God may unite, bishop, however, to lead in ecumenical and notwithstanding interreligious witness. In our denomination these smaller it is the responsibility of every lay person and differences.” every clergy person to be in ministry, and one of the foundations of our ministerial witness John Wesley, is that of ecumenical and interreligious founder of The relationships. Methodist Movement (1703-1791) This ecumenical handbook is designed to help annual conference lay and clergy leaders in local settings coordinate local ministries and assist bishops and district superintendents as we all live out these high callings of ecumenism and witness. It is a resource developed by the Council of Bishops. If, after reading through this publication, questions remain, please contact the office. 5 The Council of Bishops 100 Maryland Avenue NE, Suite 300 Washington, DC 20002 www.ocuir.org CHAPTER 1 “It is only when Theology of Ecumenical our love has grown and Interreligious cold do we think Ministry of schism.” Biblical Foundations of John Wesley, United Methodist Leadership founder of The in Christian Unity and Interreligious Methodist Movement (1703-1791) Ministry The United Methodist Church claims four sources hold authority in our lives: scripture, tradition, reason and experience. Scripture, we believe, is primary among the four. The calling to work for Christian unity and to be reconcilers in God’s world is a foundational theme in Judeo-Christian scripture. This calling is at the very heart of the good news and is central to the whole of God’s salvation history. In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth, a creation of wondrous variety and complexity. In this process of creation, God created human beings. While marked by great diversity, all people bear the image of God and are charged to love God, to keep and enjoy the creation and to live in relationship with one another. From the beginning, this is clear: People cannot be who they are created to be apart from one another. With Jesus’ presence in the world, God takes a new initiative to show humanity the way life should be lived by calling people to be a community who lives in covenantal relationship to God. For Christians this community is the church. 8 Chapter 1 United Methodists believe the church is a people not defined by national boundaries, common language or ethnic identity. Neither is it defined by theological bend or ministry preferences. The church is a visible embodiment of the Good News - a sign of God’s mighty power to unite. When teaching about unity and relationship, the following scriptural passages, taken from the NRSV of the Bible, are important passages to review: Psalm 133 - How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity! It is like the precious oil on the head, running down upon the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down over the collar of his robes. It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion. For there the Lord ordained his blessing, life forevermore. John 17:20-23 - [Jesus prays:] I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one. As you, Father are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. Acts 2:1-2 - When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And, suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 - For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body - Jews or Greeks, slaves or free - and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. Galatians 3:28 - There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 1: 9-10 - ... he has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. Ephesians 2:13-14 - But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off havebeen brought near by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us. 9 Ecumenical and Interreligious Handbook Ephesians 4:1-6 - I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all. Titus 3:8-9 - The saying is sure. I desire that you insist on these things, so that those who have come to believe in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works, these things are excellent and profitable to everyone. But avoid stupid controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. Hebrews 10:23-25 - Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who as promised is faithful. And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching. 1 John 1:5-7 - This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him while we are walking in darkness, we lie and do not do what is true; but if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.
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