April 21, 2006

WASHINGTON, DC – Amidst a media storm emphasizing the divisive issues among U.S. Christians, one group is deep into plans for a 2007 gathering focused on finding common ground.

The Faith and Order Commission of the National Council of Churches (NCC) will mark a half century of serious conversations among dozens of Christian denominations concentrating on their shared life and work.

"Being Christian Together: The Faith and Order Experience in the United States," will be the theme of the meeting in Oberlin, Ohio. As many as 500 participants and observers who are theologians and church leaders from a broad range of communions, selected graduate and seminary students, and Faith and Order Commissioners are expected to attend.

The Rev. Ernie Falardeau, SSS, commission chair and longtime Roman Catholic ecumenist, said planners hope the 50th anniversary conference will bring together the broadest range of participants ever.

Philip Krey, president of Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, is developing a process to select graduate and seminary students from various denominations.

Work is also underway to broaden participation from evangelical, Pentecostal, Holiness churches and other emerging Christian religious communities. One planned workshop, "Voices of Christian Communities Not at the Faith and Order Table," will give voice to those denominations who do not regularly participate in the Commission's work.

Other sessions planned will address "Faith and Order in a Post-modern World," "Faith and Order in the Context of Religious Plurality," and "Issues Facing Ecumenism."

The ongoing work of the Commission affirms the oneness of the church of Jesus Christ and keeps before the churches the Gospel call to visible unity in one faith expressed in worship and in common life in Christ, "in order that the world may believe." The Commission also supports people of different faiths in their struggle with how to relate to one another as well as work together on mutual concerns in their communities, the nation and world.

Dr. Ann K. Riggs is director of NCC's Faith and Order ministry. The Rev. Dr. Shanta Premawardhana is director of Interfaith Relations for the NCC. Numerous resources for local ecumenical and interfaith groups are available on the NCC website at http://www.ncccusa.org/about/unityhome.html. .

National Council of Churches USA