Committee on Interchurch Relations sets priorities and theme focus.

The Committee on Interchurch Relations (CIR) met in New Windsor, Md., Sept. 9-11, to set priorities for its work and a theme focus for the next two years. CIR is a committee of Annual Conference and the General Board.

The committee set a priority to "encourage the Church of the Brethren to think about Christ's call for us in this time when people of various world religions are increasingly in contact and experiencing conflict, or opportunities for friendship and community." The CIR theme and focus for the next two years will continue to be on the Decade to Overcome Violence, a program of the World Council of Churches (WCC), with particular attention to interfaith relations. The committee also continues its focus on relationships with the American Baptist Churches USA.

In line with the CIR theme, the Ecumenical Citation to be awarded at Annual Conference 2006 will shift from a youth/young adult focus to a focus on congregations. "Continuing in the theme of the Decade to Overcome Violence, the CIR seeks stories of how congregations are pursuing ecumenical, intercultural, or interfaith connections that build friendships and community," the committee said.

Plans for the Ecumenical Luncheon at Annual Conference 2006 also were made. Deborah DeWinter, program executive of the US Office of the WCC, will be the speaker with the suggested topic, "Where Have All the Christians Gone? The Changing Face of the World's Churches." She will be invited to give information on the population shift of the Christian church from the northern to the southern hemisphere.

The committee also received reports from Church of the Brethren delegates to the World and National Councils of Churches, and received a report from the American Baptist Churches USA. The committee was joined by Jeff Carter, delegate to the WCC, who shared about several issues pertaining to the council and its Ninth Assembly to take place in Porto Alegre, Brazil. Rothang Chhangte reported from the American Baptists on several items from their ecumenical committee, called the Committee on Christian Unity. There was considerable discussion on where the two denominations are heading, multicultural learnings, and planting of new churches.

The committee also heard reports from the general secretary of the General Board and discussed written reports from representatives who attended annual gatherings of other Brethren bodies.

The group welcomed new member Ilexene Alphonse and ex-officio member Rothang Chhangte representing the American Baptist Churches USA. Continuing members are Steve Brady (chair), Jim Eikenberry, Brandy Fix, Michael Hostetter, and Bob Johansen.

Source: 10/12/2005 Newsline
top