Ecu-Blog by Rev. Dr. John Ford, CSCIn 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…

Friends:In the pastoral ministry–in parishes, congregations, hospitals–we oftendo 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 tellinga 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…

Resources for the Week of Prayer for Christian UnityThe 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#MaterialsBest 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 “Introductionto Practical Ecumenism” for a week during the January term.This is an intense course that I have enjoyed teaching at WashingtonTheological Union and at Virginia Theological Seminary. I think that I willenjoy…

Friends:I have come to enjoy the International Students Reception sponsored by theConsortium Student Board. In my early years as executive director, I did not know what to expect–and I learned a lot about others’ views of American culture.The event on Friday evening, November 3 at WTU was very enriching–not only didI have excellent food [courtesy of Student Board representative Mark…

EcuBlog from Fr. John Ford “Why Would Lutherans Celebrate the Virgin Mary of Guadalupe?”—this is the question raised by Professor Maxwell E. Johnson, a Lutheran professor of liturgical studies at the University of Notre Dame. Johnson’s “theological meditation” on the well known apparitions in Mexico in 1531, emphasizes three reasons for celebrating “Mary of Guadalupe”: first, she proclaims the Gospel…

Friends:A little coffee and reflection on the Science and Religion Luncheon Today at WTU.Twenty five of us came together to have lunch and then to listen to Fr. Jim Salmon of Loyola College speak of the famous Jesuit paleontologist Teilhard de Chardin and complexification! This is not a topic for the faint-hearted.Salmon is a Jesuit. He has taught both Chemistry…

Ecublog post by Elizabeth Felicetti, seminarian with an ecumenical bentYesterday was fall break Sunday, so instead of assisting at my Episcopal field education site, I had a FREE SUNDAY (these will be even more rare after I am ordained!), and decided to spend it with the Lutherans with whom I underwent an ecumenical internship last summer.This proved to be an…

EcuBlog posted by Mitzi Budde: What are your plans for January 29 – February 1, 2007?I’ve just returned from a planning meeting for the National Workshop on Christian Unity. This exciting ecumenical eevent will be held at the Key Bridge Marriott Hotel in Rosslyn, just across the Key Bridge from Washington, D.C. January 29 – February 1, 2007. Register NOW…

Friends:Last week I had the opportunity to stop in atHoward University School of Divinity for the 5:30 PMprayer. There was a mixed crowd of students and faculty gatheredin the Chapel.Much to my surprise and delight, a trustee of the Consortiumthe Rev. Robin Franklin-Vaughn was the preacher. She is the Episcopal/Anglican/Lutheranchaplain at Howard University.Her title shows the results of the ecumenical…