General Assembly Committee on Ecumenical and Interreligious Relations
The General Assembly Committee on Ecumenical and Interreligious Relations works to highlight the vision of ecumenical involvement and work within the life of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). The committee plans and coordinates the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s engagement in ecumenical relations, articulating Reformed and Presbyterian identity in the midst of the church’s ecumenical commitments and provides guidance for the church’s conversations with non-Christian religious traditions.
Together with Christians in every time and place, Presbyterians confess belief in one, holy, catholic, and apostolic church. The Nicene Creed’s marks of the church are not accomplishments of human performance or objects of human striving, as if the church depends on our efforts. The unity of the church is a gift of its Lord. The source and the shape of the gift are proclaimed in Scripture: “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” (Ephesians 4:4-6).
Approved by the 212th General Assembly (2000)
of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
Executive Committee Members
Sabrina Slater – Chairperson
Joanna Hipp – Vice Chairperson
Daniel Morales
Scott Prouty
Class of 2026
Rev. George (Jacob) Bolton
Westminster Presbyterian Church
Presbytery of National Capital
Elder Noushin Framke
First Presbyterian in Village, NYC
Presbytery of New York City
Rev. Joanna Hipp
Plymouth Presbyterian Church
Rev. Dr. Whitney Wilkinson Arreche
Emmanuel Presbyterian Church in Bedford, Texas
Rev. Jennifer Kottler (Jen)
John Calvin PC
New Harmony Presbytery
Class of 2028
Rev. Christian Choi
Presbytery of Lincoln Trails
Mr. Kyle Cristofalo
Presbytery of National Capital
Rev. Daniel Morales
New Covenant Presbyterian Church
Tropical Florida
Rev. Scott Prouty
Presbytery of Minnesota Valleys
Elder Leigh Rachel
Presbytery of South Louisiana
Rev. Sabrina Slater (Chair)
Presbytery of Geneva
Members By Virtue Of Office
Rev. Jihyun Oh
Stated Clerk/Executive Director IUA
Ecumenical Representatives
(Appointments)
Rev. Dr. Evangeline Anderson-Rajkumar
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Rev. Dr. Scott Paeth
United Church of Christ
Rev. Dr. Amariah McIntosh
Christian Methodist Episcopal Church
Rev. Drew Yamamoto
Reformed Church in America
IUA Representatives
(Appointments)
Rev. Dr. Cheni Khonje
First Presbyterian Church, Germantown, PA
Presbytery of Philadelphia
Elder Charese Jordan Moore
c/o Knox Presbyterian Church
Presbytery of Baltimore
Staff Support
Dr. Y. Dianna Wright
Director, Ecumenical & Ecclesial Ministry
Rev. Ray Jones
Director, Leadership Development
Rev. Dr. Laurie Kraus
Manager, Global Humanitarian Ecumenical Engagement - PDA International
Rev. Mienda Uriarte
Senior Director, Partnership Beyond
502.569.5354
If you are interested in furthering your ecumenical service, please fill out the application below and return to Dr. Y. Dianna Wright at [email protected].
The General Assembly Committee on Ecumenical and Interreligious Relations shall function to give a high profile to the vision of the ecumenical and interreligious involvement and work as central to the gospel and key to the life of the church; plan and coordinate, in consultation with the agencies and governing bodies of the church, the involvement of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in ecumenical and interreligious relations and work; connect the ecumenical and interreligious efforts of all governing body levels of the church; provide a common point for all ecumenical and interreligious efforts connecting us with those outside our church; keep a unity of vision that includes the ecclesiastical, programmatic, ecumenical, and denominational (organizational) parts of our ministries and commitments; articulate the Reformed and Presbyterian identity in the midst of our ecumenical commitments; and promote awareness of the role of the unity of all humankind in the search for the unity of the church; and promote the unity of the church as an exhibition of the kingdom to the world.
The General Assembly Committee on Ecumenical and Interreligious Relations (GACEIR) has posted “Denouncing Antisemitism and Islamophobia,” a study document approved by the General Assembly in 2022.
The occasion marks the next step in a multi-year journey that began in 2018. Moved beyond tears and inspired to action, GACEIR engaged in crafting this document after the shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue, in Pittsburgh. Two General Assemblies later, the document has been approved, redesigned, and is ready to be shared with synods, presbyteries, mid councils, and congregations.
“The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) long has advocated positive relationships with people of other religious traditions. We have seen these relationships as a specific instance of Christ’s universal command to ‘... love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind’ and to ‘love your neighbor as yourself’ (Mt. 22:37, 39). This statement affirms that tradition. The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) often has fostered a love for people of other religious traditions, but many times we have not. The first is cause for celebration, thanking God for the grace to be faithful. For the second, the church resolves to do better.” Read the Stance.
“The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) long has advocated positive relationships with people of other religious traditions. We have seen these relationships as a specific instance of Christ’s universal command to ‘... love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind’ and to ‘love your neighbor as yourself’ (Mt. 22:37, 39). This statement affirms that tradition. The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) often has fostered a love for people of other religious traditions, but many times we have not. The first is cause for celebration, thanking God for the grace to be faithful. For the second, the church resolves to do better.”
Read or download "Confronting White Christian Nationalism," an FAQ and Liturgy prepared by GACEIR.
Open Meeting Policy
As approved by the 209th General Assembly (1997) and amended by the 218th General Assembly (2008), the Open Meeting Policy applies to the General Assembly and its related entities and work groups.
Dr. Y. Dianna Wright
Director of Ecumenical and Interreligious Relations
502-569-5431
[email protected]