How can I be involved?
Consider the ATHENAGORAS SOCIETY, which is dedicated
to the reconciliation of the Latin and Orthodox Churches, the two largest
Christian Churches, which have been tragically separated for almost
a thousand years. You may contact the Society at: THE ATHENAGORAS SOCIETY,
8332 Belleview Avenue, Kansas City, MO 64114.
Also,
if you are interested in ecumenical relations between
Catholicism and the Eastern Orthodox, you may wish to get to
know the Eastern Catholic Churches better. They take a very active
role in Catholic-Orthodox ecumenism. Visit www.melkite.org,
or subscribe to Sophia ($15, mailed directly to Sophia, 158 Pleasant
St., Brookline, MA 02446.
If you are interested in doing
more social action and/or public policy work together
with other Christians motivated
by the Gospel, the Massachusetts Catholic Conference (the
public policy office for
the Dioceses of Massachusetts) cooperates on many initiatives
with the Massachusetts Council of Churches: Decade to Overcome
Violence, Ecumenical
Working Group to Counter Racism, Oppose Death Penalty,
Protect a Worker’s
Right to observe the Sabbath, Prevent Casino Gambling, Promote the Causes
of Persons with Disabilities. On these and other collaborations
you may wish to contact the Catholic Conference (617-367-6060). You
may also contact Rev. Jill Wiley of the Mass. Council of Churches 617-523-1483.
Of course there are also ecumenical Pro-Life events such as the March
for Life. Many of our fellow Churches and Ecclesial
Communities have Pro-life groups (Methodists Against Abortion, Lutherans
for Life, etc).
If you are a Young Adult, you may wish
to follow the example of other Young Adults who have
sought out and invited Young
Adult Groups of other Churches or Religions to form an
ongoing relationship of Dialogue
and Social Life. For more information, contact the Ecumenical
Office (email below).
Visit the HARVARD UNIVERSITY PLURALISM PROGRAM, www.fas.harvard.edu/pluralism
Envoys for Ecumenism
You are invited to become a member of Envoys for Ecumenism,
sponsored by the Massachusetts Council of Churches, an intentional
association of individuals committed to invigorating the
ecumenical movement through spiritual renewal in companionship
and community. People
who are committed to the ecumenical movement – the quest for
reconciliation in the body of Christ – often find their faith
enriched and enlivened by their encounters with Christians from
other churches. To facilitate this, the Board of Directors
of the Massachusetts Council of Churches initiated in 1990 “Envoys
for Ecumenism”. Membership is open to anyone who subscribes
to the purpose of the association, and who commits him/herself
to the ten-point discipline listed below.
You are
invited to become a member of Envoys for Ecumenism, sponsored
by the Massachusetts Council of Churches, an intentional
association of
individuals committed to invigorating the ecumenical movement
through spiritual renewal in companionship and community. People who
are committed to the ecumenical movement – the quest for reconciliation
in the body of Christ – often find their faith enriched and enlivened
by their encounters with Christians from other churches. To facilitate
this, the Board of Directors of the Massachusetts Council of Churches
initiated in 1990 “Envoys for Ecumenism”. Membership is open to
anyone who subscribes to the purpose of the association, and
who commits him/herself to the ten-point discipline listed
below.
- Practice daily prayer and
meditation in the spirit of John 17:21, “That
they may all be one…so that the world may believe…,” including intercessory
prayer for other “Envoys for Ecumenism.”
- Read, at least weekly,
literature about the quest for Christian unity, and/or the
relationship between the
unity and mission of the Church.
- Practice monthly shared
Bible study with a person or persons of another Christian tradition.
- Give some time, each year,
to a voluntary association devoted to promoting Christian unity.
- Gather
once annually with other “Envoys
for Ecumenism” for dinner and dialogue about the observations, hopes and
concerns of ecumenical work experienced through involvement in
voluntary associations.
- Contribute financially
to an ecumenical association.
- Facilitate and/or participate annually in
at least one ecumenical worship service (such as during the
week of prayer for
Christian unity).
- Attend annually at least
one ecumenical event for personal edification.
- Witness frequently
to one’s ecumenical
commitment (especially in a local church), and encourage annually at least
one other person to become an “Envoy
for Ecumenism.
- Participate in
an annual twenty-four hour retreat for “Envoys for Ecumenism”, during which
members can become a gathered community, and can be refreshed by, rewarded
for, and rededicated to the ecumenical mandate.
If you would like to become an “Envoy for Ecumenism” please fill
out this form and return to : Envoys for Ecumenism,
Massachusetts Council of Churches, 14 Beacon Street, Room 416, Boston,
MA 02108. Phone: 617-523-2771
________________________________________________________
I subscribe to the purpose of Envoys for Ecumenism, and commit myself
to its discipline.
Signed _________________________________________________
Name (please print) _______________________________________
Street Address ___________________________________________
City _________________________State _______Zip ___________
Phone ______________Local Church Membership______________
Ecumenical Organization(s) in which I will participate
___________
_______________________________________________________
PRAYER BOOKLET
A resource for your church or individual use.
“Together We Pray: Christian Prayers for Unity" is a booklet
containing thirty-one prayers and related scripture passages for use in
a one month cycle,
along with a newly comissioned hymn and a litany. It has been prepared for
both individual and group use as we anticipate and then celebrate the
millennium together
as Christians. Contributors include church leaders and representatives from
ecumenical agencies across Massachusetts.
To order for your church or community:
QUANTITY DESIRED_______@ $1.00
= $__________
SHIPPING & HANDLING
10-25 Copies $3.50
26-100 Copies $4.50
101-250 Copies $5.50
251-500 Copies $6.50
over 500 Copies $7.50 $___________
TOTAL AMOUNT DUE: $___________
(booklets shipped only on receipt of payment)
SHIP TO ADDRESS: __________________________________
(please print) __________________________________
__________________________________
CONTACT PERSON:_____________________TEL:__________________
METHOD OF PAYMENT:
( )VISA/MASTERCARD ( )AMERICAN EXPRESS ( )DISCOVER
ACCOUNT NUMBER__________________________________
EXPIRATION DATE_________________________________
SIGNATURE_______________________________________
( )CHECK ENCLOSED, PAYABLE TO: MASSACHUSETTS BIBLE SOCIETY
MAIL OR FAX TO:
MASSACHUSETTS BIBLE SOCIETY
41 BROMFIELD STREET
BOSTON, MA 02108
TEL: 617-542-2230 FAX: 617-542-1386
(Orders are being received by the Massachusetts Bible
Society; shipping is being done by the Daughters of Saint
Paul. Each has donated staff time at no cost to make
distribution of this booklet possible.
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