Ecu-Blog
by Rev. Dr. John Ford, CSC

In early October, Churches Uniting in Christ (CUIC) sponsored a "Consultation on Episcopé" as part of the on-going dialogue about the recognition and reconciliation of ministry among the ten participant CUIC churches (African Methodist Episcopal Church, African Methodist Episcopal Zion Chruch, Disciples of Chirst, Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, Episcopal Church, International Council of Community Churches, Moravian Church, Northern Province [the most recent member], Presbyterian Church, United Methodist Church, United Church of Christ).

The papers and bible studies from this consultation were published in the December issue (no. 7) of "Call to Unity: Resourcing the Church for Ecumenical Ministry" (published by the Council on Christian Unity of the Christian Church [Disciples of Christ], P.o. Box 1986, Indianapolis, IN 56206). Those interested in the reconciliation of ministry should find this issue particularly interesting.

Friends:

In the pastoral ministry--in parishes, congregations, hospitals--we often
do a lot of listening. People want to tell us their story--or a part thereof.

I find this happens on Sunday at Annunciation parish. And I sometimes respond by telling
a bit of my own life-story.

In ecumenical dialogue we do the same. We tell each other our stories.

Often we share how God has led us into ministry. We reflect on or wonder about
the guidance of the Spirit. We also tell the story of our community so that we might better understand one another.

I tell new students in the Consortium that when they study at another member campus, one
thing they can do to get to know fellow students is to ask about their 'call by God'--the story of God's work in their lives.

The stories are usually interesting and informative.

Listening to these is a very good prepartion for our ministry.


Peace,
John

Resources for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity begins tomorrow, and we have had some inquiries regarding liturgical ideas to celebrate the Week of Prayer.

One resource that we use ourselves is the Prayer Service from the Graymoor Ecumenical and Interreligious Institute. Here is a link: http://www.geii.org/wpcu.htm#Materials

Best wishes for a good week!

Friends:

I have been drinking less coffee--and blogging less.
I probably will blog more now that the second semester is beginning.

Sunday I am off for Richmond to teach the course "Introduction
to Practical Ecumenism" for a week during the January term.
This is an intense course that I have enjoyed teaching at Washington
Theological Union and at Virginia Theological Seminary. I think that I will
enjoy it in Richmond, for our three member schools there, as well.

Hope your own semester is off to a good start.

Peace,
john