Ecumenical Update
17 February 2010
We begin our Lenten study groups here in Melksham this week. Our study this year is based on the book by John Ortberg ‘If you want to walk on water you’ve got to get out of the boat!’ It looks fairly challenging.
I wonder what your group is studying. Is your group an ecumenical group or a denominational one? Are you using a commercial study or a home grown one?
I wonder who remembers the first ecumenical nationwide study ‘What on earth is the church for?’ I hosted a study group that year. A lady knocked on the door and asked to join the group. She did not know any Catholics and didn’t know anything about the Catholic Church but wanted to use this opportunity to find out. Brave lady!
We’ve come a long way since then. Many will and do say that ecumenism is in the doldrums. It bothers me that the ecumenical memory seems to be slipping. Because Lent study groups are now common place we don’t appreciate or celebrate our achievements. Part of the problem is - where do we go next? What do we do next?
Our international and national dialogues are continuing their discussions. There is to be another Anglican/ Roman Catholic International Conversation (ARCIC3). But what is happening at local level?
Are you overburdened with activities that few attend? Have you looked at you agenda recently and cut out the dead wood? Lent is a good time to reevaluate.
If your Lent study has been fantastic, boring, useless, really stimulating let me know. I am often asked for recommendations.
Our previous ecumenical update is still online.
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