Convocation Newsletter
January 26, 2021
The 47th Week in Coronatide
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A Newsletter for Members and Friends of the Convocation of
Episcopal Churches in Europe
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Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
Each year: January 18 - 25
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For the Unity of the Church
Almighty Father, whose blessed Son before his passion prayed for his disciples that they might be one, as you and he are one: Grant that your Church, being bound together in love and obedience to you, may be united in one body by the one Spirit, that the world may believe in him whom you have sent, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
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Ecumenical Events around the Convocation |
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The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity has its roots in the Episcopal Diocese of New York. The Rev. Paul James Francis Wattson, S.A., born Lewis Wattson in 1863, was an Episcopal monk and priest in 1908 when he suggested that the week between the January feasts of Saint Peter and Saint Paul (now known as the Confession of Saint Peter on January 18 and the Conversion of Saint Paul on January 25) be observed as a “Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.” Later, both Wattson and his Graymoor community joined the Roman Catholic Church.
In 1966, after the Second Vatican Council, the Week of Prayer has gained a very important worldwide status, and it is observed throughout the world at this time. The annual worldwide themes and other activities are coordinated between the World Council of Churches in Geneva and the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity in Rome.
The churches of our convocation are found in seven countries, each with their own ecumenical histories and landscapes. Here are some reports from around the convocation.
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The Annual Ecumenical Vespers normally led by the Pope is held each year on January 25 at the Basilica of St. Paul's Outside the Walls on the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul. Each year this service closes out the Week of Prayer of Christian Unity and is attended by ecumenical dignitaries and guests from many Christian traditions. |
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Cardinal Kurt Koch, President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity presided in place of Pope Francis (who is ill) at Ecumenical Vespers on the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul in the Basilica of St. Paul's Outside the Walls in Rome on January 25, 2021. Anglican Centre Director, the Most Rev. Ian Ernest. |
The Most Rev. Ian Ernest is the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Personal Representative to the Holy See and Director of the Anglican Centre in Rome. Archbishop Ian took up his role in Rome following an official Papal Visit to Mauritius by Pope Francis in September 2019, prior to which he was Bishop of Mauritius and Primate of the Anglican Church of the Indian Ocean. Archbishop Ernest is a member of the Primates Meeting in the Anglican Communion.
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Anglican/Episcopal representatives at the Ecumenical Vespers service: (left to right)
Kamla Ernest, Caireen Warren,
Maleah Rios,
The Rev. Austin Rios (Rector of St. Paul's Within the Walls Episcopal Church, Rome),
The Rev. Robert Warren (Vicar of All Saints Church - Church of England, Rome),
Archbishop Ian Ernest (Director of the Anglican Centre, Rome).
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The Rev. Austin and Maleah Rios with the Rev. Matthew A. Laferty, the new Director of the Methodist Ecumenical Office in Rome. This office represents worldwide Methodism to the Vatican.
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The Rev Richard Easterling (second from the left above) had been in Florence for less than a month when he attended a noteworthy televised event. On the chilly evening of January 17th in the Florence Baptistery the signing ceremony for the Council of Christian Churches of Florence occurred. Two representatives from each of 10 Florentine churches were present. The signatory churches were as follows: Roman Catholic, Apostolic, Baptist, Church of England, Episcopal, Lutheran, Greek Orthodox, Romanian Orthodox, Swiss Reformed and Waldensian/Methodist.
For this ceremony, in Covid times, the signatories were seated. Well- spaced out, on a front row, with their fellow-representatves behind them.
A table was placed centrally at the front and signatories were called up, one at a time, by Marco Bontempi, Secretary of Ecumenismo di Firenze, to sign on behalf of their church. Then, in turn, each church gave a short reading, either biblical or literary, in Italian. Those whose language was not primarily Italian read in 2 languages. As this event took place a day before the start of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, which this year has the theme from John 15 of God's love to us and our love for others, I read George Herbert 's "Love Bade me Welcome "in both English and an Italian translation.
The video of this event will be shown during the last meeting of the Week of Prayer at the La Pira Centre. Because of the pandemic however, it was decided to show videos of meetings on-line during the week. Our contribution will be shown on Thursday 21st. (Contributed by Maria Makepeace)
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Many regional and local ecumenical events take place each year throughout Germany. This year most were held online.
A national ecumenical prayer service is held each year by the Arbeitsgemeinschaft Christlicher Kirchen in Deutschland (ACK), the German national ecumenical body, was held on Sunday, January 24, in the Lutheran St. Petri Church in Hamburg. The Rev. Christopher Easthill, Rector of St. Augustine of Canterbury in Wiesbaden is an ACK board member.
Several other Episcopal clergy and laypersons are involved in the ACK on the local and state levels.
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An Important Ecumenical Dialogue in Germany
The Evangelical-Lutheran Church in Bavaria
and the Episcopal Church
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An important ongoing dialogue between The Episcopal Church (TEC) and the Evangelische-Lutherische Kirche in Bayern (ELKB) has entered its eighth year. The discussions between the ELKB and TEC began as the result of a meeting in June 2013 between Landesbischof Dr. Bedford-Strohm and Presiding Bishop the Most Rev. Dr. Jefferts-Schori. In their meeting, the two Presiding Bishops expressed the wish and challenge for the two churches to explore the possibility of closer communion, including, if possible, full communion with interchange of ministers and sharing of the sacraments.
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A face-to-face meeting of the TEC-ELKB dialogue meeting in Augsburg in 2018 |
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A close relationship has existed for over 50 years between Episcopal Church and the ELKB in Munich, especially between the Church of the Ascension in Munich, a parish of the Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe, and the Emmauskirche, a parish of the ELKB. Ascension has shared space in the Emmauskirche since 1970. Elsewhere in Bavaria, a similar close TEC-ELKB relationship exists with the Episcopal missions in Nuremberg and Augsburg, who also share space with ELKB parishes.
Conversations between representatives of the ELKB and TEC began in 2013 shortly after the encounter between Presiding Bishops Jefferts-Schori and Bedford-Strohm, and soon took on the characteristics of a dialogue. Meetings in subsequent years took place in New York, Tutzing, Paris, and Augsburg. Numerous smaller meetings took place between in-person meetings.
The Bavarian Church has been at the forefront of ecumenical dialogue among the German Protestant Landeskirchen (State-related regional churches), and this dialogue is a significant step in moving toward closer relations between Anglicanism and German Lutheranism.
At the 2018 General Convention (GC) in Austin, TX, a resolution was presented by the Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe and the Office of Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Relations of the Episcopal Church, which made this an official ecumenical dialogue of the Episcopal Church. This enabled future General Conventions to consider documents emerging from these dialogues with a view toward moving toward full communion.
Participants in this dialogue include: Ecumenical officials from the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD), the Lutheran World Federation, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bavaria (church officials and theologians), an official from the Ecumenical Office of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), the Ecumenical and Inter-religous Affairs Officer of TEC, a representative of the Church of England's Office of Ecumenical Relations, a theologian from the Scottish Episcopal Church, an ecumenical relations officer from the Anglican Communion Office, and representatives from the Convocation. Current Convocation reps are Bishop Mark Edington, Archdeacon Walter Baer, and Fr. Christopher Easthill.
GC 2018's Resolution C059 approved and commended the process of exploring deeper relations and the dialogue toward full communion between TEC and the ELKB.
Based on this mandate, the dialogue committee has moved forward in this triennium to develop a proposed agreement of full communion between TEC and the ELKB. The agreement “Sharing the Gifts of Communion: An Agreement of Full Communion between the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bavaria and The Episcopal Church” is being proposed to the 80th General Convention (in 2022). The GC Task Force on Ecumenical and Interreligious Relations commends this document for study and possible implementation. Background papers on this dialogue and additions or changes to the proposed agreement, can be downloaded at www.episcopalchurch.org/ecumenism.
This has been very exciting. The document has been refined by the dialogue committee, it has been presented to the Anglican Communion office, the Lutheran World Federation, the EKD, the ELCA, and others for comment. The Synodical processes of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bavaria and GC of the Episcopal Church will consider it for eventual approval. Ora pro nobis!
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Educational Opportunities from EICS |
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Education for Ministry (EFM) is a unique four-year distance learning program for adult Christian Formation through theological education and reflection, based upon small group study and practice offered by the Beecken Center of the School of Theology at the University of the South, Sewanee TN, USA.
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Students sign up for one year at a time to participate in the four-year program which covers basic theological education in The Hebrew Bible, New Testament, Church History, Christian Theology and Theological Reflection.
The European Online group, now in its seventh year, is currently taking enrollments for new participants to join the group for the 2021-22 academic year which begins in September 2021.
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CALL Courses (Church Divinity School of the Pacific – CDSP)
The European Institute of Christian Studies (EICS) is pleased to announce an exciting new partnership between the Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe and the Church Divinity School of the Pacific (CDSP).
The new partnership offers a reduction to all those registering thru the Convocation. The reduced Course Fee for each module is $205. Registration is now taking place for the Spring term which will begin on April 12.
The Center for Anglican Learning and Leadership’s (CALL) online courses are offered throughout the year and are designed so that you can participate at your own pace and at your own time. Each course is 7 weeks, each week a separate lesson. Continuing Education Units are offered at the rate of 2 CEUs per course. Students from across The Episcopal Church and beyond join experienced online instructors in creating a classroom environment of respect and mutual learning.
2020-21 Schedule
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What We Believe: Anglican Theology with Rev. Dr. John Kater
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The Anglican Bible: Scriptural Conversation and Formation with Rev. Dr. Donn Morgan
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The Diaconal Hermeneutic: The Deacon’s Eyes and Ears with Dr. Rod Dugliss
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Changing Church: Mission, Leadership, and Beloved Community with Rev. Kyle Oliver
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Introduction to Pastoral Care with Dr. Elaine Ramshaw
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Theology of the Cross with Dr. Stephan Quarles
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Preaching for Church and World in the Digital Age with Fr. Cathie Caimano
To register via the Convocation and qualify for the course fee reduction, please contact the Rev. Michael Rusk
Michael Rusk and Kaye O’Connell on behalf of EICS – the European Institute of Christian Studies, Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe.
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Convocation Communications Committee |
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Fall 2020 issue
Our Response to COVID in Europe
The Convocation is now also featured with four pages in the cathedral's semi-annual publication Trinité, covering Convocation events.
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The Convocation Communications Committee (CCC) coordinates the communications of the Convocation. Special emphasis is given to Social Media, and close coordination with the parishes and missions of the Convocation. Existing modes of communication such as newsletters and the website are getting a facelift.
Members are:
Audrey Shankles, chair (Wiesbaden); Thomas Girty (Paris);
Felicity Handford, chair of Chroniclers,
Marc Smets-Tolley (both Waterloo), Walter Baer, staff, (Paris),
Helena Mbele-Mbong (Geneva),
Maleah Rios, Digital Ministry (Rome)
Ellen Hampton, Trinité (Paris), ex-officio.
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Are you interested in contributing current news items, articles, or events? |
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Conversion of Saint Paul
January 25
O God, by the preaching of your apostle Paul you have caused the light of the Gospel to shine throughout the world: Grant, we pray, that we, having his wonderful conversion in remembrance, may show ourselves thankful to you by following his holy teaching; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives
and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
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The Convocation's Francophone Mission
Tous les samedis à 17h
French Service (via Zoom)
NB : En cas de problème contacter Sylvie
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A la radio : le Magazine Anglican
Le « Magazine Anglican », animé par Laurence Moachon, paroissienne de la Cathédrale de la Sainte Trinité à Paris.
À propos du Magazine Anglican :
Depuis septembre 2012, Laurence Moachon présente le 4e samedi du mois, le Magazine Anglican. Avec l’objectif de faire mieux connaître la tradition anglicane au public français, elle traite de sujets d’actualité culturelle, historique, liturgique ou ecclésiologique dans la Convocation et la Communion Anglicane.
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Regarding Allegations of Clergy Sexual Abuse |
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Important information on the lifting of the Statute of Limitation regarding clergy sexual abuse...
Let it be known that from January 1, 2019 until December 31, 2021, in the Episcopal Church there is no statute of limitation on clergy sexual abuse. Every diocese has a confidential way to make a report.
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"Go forth for God; go to the world in peace; be of good courage, armed with heavenly grace, in God's good Spirit daily to increase, till in his kingdom we behold his face."
Hymn 347 - Holy Eucharist; Music: Litton
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The Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe
23 avenue George V, 75008 Paris, France
www.tec-europe.org
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