From the director

It has been a tremendously busy summer filled with travel, conferences and other events involving our ecumenical partners.

In Johannesburg, South Africa, I participated in a global dialogue on “Covenanting for Justice with the Economy and the Earth” sponsored by the World Alliance of Reformed Churches. What a privilege it was to worship, pray and engage in Bible study with some 60 Reformed church leaders from other parts of the world! My eyes were opened, my faith deepened and my hope strengthened during this important event.

Our final day began with a morning Bible study on 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.

This text offers wisdom for living together as a particular faith community "... with humility, gentleness, patience and love" but it also reminds us that the "unity of the Spirit" is not just for our own denomination, but is a greater unity found in "one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all." Our commitment to ecumenism regionally, nationally and internationally helps us live into our oneness in Jesus Christ.

Upon my return from South Africa, I joined Presbyterian colleagues in Chicago for a meeting with our Formula of Agreement partners, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the Reformed Church in America and the United Church of Christ. Again, I was blessed by powerful worship and lively conversation as together we considered ways that we might strengthen our common call and commitment to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with a fragile and wounded world.

There are numerous opportunities to learn about the ministries of our ecumenical partners whether they are across the street or in other parts of God’s world. The Presbyterian Peacemaking Program will soon host 11 International Peacemakers — leaders from partner churches around the world who will travel across our denomination, sharing about their church’s ministries that seek justice and pursue peace in the name of Jesus Christ. Supported by the Peacemaking Offering, International Peacemakers come to the United States every year at this time, in conjunction with World Communion Sunday. 

This year’s International Peacemakers will visit 49 presbyteries and one synod while they are here, preaching, speaking at presbytery meetings and church suppers, talking to college students and teaching Sunday school classes.  If an International Peacemaker visits your community, I encourage you to make time to attend one of the events sponsored by the presbytery. Learn more about this wonderful program and see where they are visiting, download the International Peacemakers schedule.

As we are called to "unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace," we are blessed and strengthened by our ecumenical partners, those down the street and around the world with whom we share a common commitment to building up the body of Christ.