We are called to work for the unity of the Church in response to our Lord’s prayer “that they may all be one” (John 17:21).
We are called to dialogue with people of other faiths believing that we are all created in the image of God and can learn from one another.
The mission of the Ecumenical and Interfaith Commission (EIC) of the Diocese of Bethlehem is to provide advice to the Bishop on matters involving work and relationships with other Christian churches and other religions. The EIC also serves as a resource to the Diocese, working to educate the Diocese about national and international ecumenical and interfaith agreements so that they can be celebrated and lived out at the diocesan and local level.
The EIC follows guidelines for ecumenical and interfaith relationships as these are shaped through the General Convention and the Office of Ecumenical and Inter-religious Relations of the Episcopal Church. These are described in the Ecumenical Handbook 2010 and the Statement of Interfaith Relations of the Episcopal Church.
Members of the EIC are appointed by the Bishop. The EIC meets quarterly (sometimes by conference call). If you are interested in the possibility of serving on the EIC, please contact the EIO. We are especially looking for lay members.
The Rev. Canon Maria Tjeltveit , Chair
Survey
Let us know what you are doing in your parish. Take the EIC Survey here.
Upcoming Events:
All Saints’ Sunday, November 6, 2011, 4:00 p.m. United Methodist and Episcopal Eucharist at the Cathedral Church of the Nativity. The Rt. Rev. Paul V. Marshall, Diocese of Bethlehem, celebrant, Bishop Peggy Johnson, Eastern Pennsylvania Conference and Peninsula-Delaware Conference, preacher.
Links:
The Episcopal Church Ecumenical and Interreligious Relations office
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
Pennsylvania Council of Churches
National Council of Churches
Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA)
The Moravian Church of America, Northern Province
Resources:
Called to Common Mission, Full Communion document with ELCA
Finding our Delight in the Lord, Full Communion document with the Moravian Church of America
Make Us One in Christ, Interim-Eucharistic Sharing document with the United Methodist Church
Episcopal Church Statement on Interreligious Relations
A Theological Foundation for Full Communion
between The Episcopal Church
and The United Methodist Church
Please direct any
questions or comments to the webmaster@diobeth.org
