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A Century of Ecumenical Commitment

On March 1, 2002, at the Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel in Boston MA, the Massachusetts Council of Churches celebrated a century of ecumenical commitment with a gala dinner and presentation of our shared journey. Ecumenical colleagues from the World Council of Churches joined us in this festive evening, as we recounted our past and renewed our commitment to continue together on the way toward visible unity.

Produced and narrated by MCC Board member Eden Grace (Religious Society of Friends), the presentation recalled our history using images, stories, hymns, Biblical texts, and prayers. The program culminated in a litany in which we recommitted ourselves to the path ahead.

Each participant then came forward to receive a small ceramic tile, one piece of a large ecumenical boat, commissioned for this occasion and created by Rev. Dr. Henry Gates of Theosense — liturgical art in clay.

The following set of web pages reproduces the evening's presentation.


		1. Roots in the Sunday School movement
		2. Roots in the Federation of Churches movement
		3. 1933 merger
		4. Development of conciliar theory and a vision of Christian unity
		5. Social action in the 1960s
		6. Protestant - Roman Catholic relations
		7. Social action in the 1970s
		8. Development of theological dialogue
		9. Social action in the 1980s and 1990s
		10. Protestant - Orthodox relations
		11. Our shared journey