Christian Resources

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View Christian Resources provided by:

United Methodist Church

National Council of the Churches of Christ

Focolare Movement

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Episcopal Church, USA


Resources provided by the United Methodist Church

A list of resources provided by the General Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns in the United Methodist Church.

Resources provided by the National Council of the Churches of Christ

Getting to Know Neighbors of Other Faiths (pdf)

Interfaith Relations and the Churches (doc)

Resources provided by the Focolare Movement

Can Religions Be Partners? (doc)

Focolare Fast Facts (doc)

Founder Biography (doc)

Contact Information (doc)

Resources from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

o ELCA Quick Facts
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America resulted from a union of three North American Lutheran church bodies: The American Lutheran Church, the Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches and the Lutheran Church in America.

o Ecumenical Dialogues.
1. Lutheran - African Methodist Episcopal Dialogue
The first round of this dialogue was concluded with a fifth session meeting in Gettysburg in March of 1996. "Understanding One Another: A Congregational Resource" was written in the hope that many congregations of our respective communions will use it to accomplish the goal of manifesting the unity of our Christian community in a time when disunity, fragmentation, and outright conflict so often mark our society and churches.

2. Lutheran - Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Dialogue
The ELCA and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) met for the first time in April 2004 with an initial series of papers exploring a common understanding of Holy Communion. A great deal of agreement was reached.

3. Lutheran - Mennonite Dialogue
A key element in the dialogue was an examination of the persecution of Anabaptists by Lutherans and others, and the healing of those painful memories.

4. Lutheran - Orthodox Dialogue
Discussions with the Orthodox Church have led to a document known as "The Aleppo Statement" which discusses the possibilities of finding a common date for Easter. The dialogue also has prepared a common statement regarding faith in the Holy Trinity.

5. Lutheran - Roman Catholic Dialogue
The topic for round XI is The Hope for Eternal Life. Discussions addressed will be classical differences over issues relating to the Christian's life beyond death, including the common affirmation of justification with respect to the life and glory of the Trinity. An understanding of the Christian hope for salvation is being discussed at the outset both as a statement of common faith and as a context for the more detailed discussions of specific topics further in the round.

6. Lutheran - United Methodist Dialogue
The dialogues produced a common statement between churches on the Christian sacrament of Baptism; this common statement affirmed the validity of baptism administered in accord with Scripture in churches. In May 2008 The UMC voted in favor of a relationship of full communion with the ELCA. The ELCA will likewise vote on a relationship of full communion with the UMC in August 2009.

o Interreligious Resources and Organizations .
-Huge collection of resources from various organizations and faiths.
-Very useful to find out Interreligious activities.

o Inter-Religious Activities
1. Lutheran - Jewish Relations
The purpose was and is to increase sharing and understanding in areas of mutual interest. Dialogue Topics of Discussion: identity and self-understanding of Lutherans and Jews, individual governing structures, and emphases of faith. Other theological themes: the meaning of covenant, and conflict in the Middle East.
2. Lutheran - Muslim Relations
A Center of Christian-Muslim Engagement for Peace and Justice established at Chicago. The Center will provide cultural and educational opportunities in which Christians, Muslims and people of other faiths will come together for mutual enrichment, understanding, healing and wholeness.

Resources provided by the Episcopal Church, USA

A Common Word between us and you (pdf)

A Common Word Response (doc)

Muslim Christian Initiative, Press Release (doc)

References
http://archive.elca.org/ecumenical/ecumenicaldialogue/mennonite/index.html http://archive.elca.org/ecumenical/ecumenicaldialogue/orthodox/index.html http://archive.elca.org/ecumenical/ecumenicaldialogue/romancatholic/index.html http://archive.elca.org/ecumenical/ecumenicaldialogue/unitedmethodist/index.html http://archive.elca.org/ecumenical/interreligious/resources.html#EcumenicalPartners http://archive.elca.org/ecumenical/interreligious/jewish/index.html
http://archive.elca.org/ecumenical/interreligious/Muslim/index.html

For additions or corrections, please contact Ms. Priti Vaishnav.