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Christian Unity
| To interpret the Gospel's ecumenical mandate and to advance Christian unity.
"All... are one in Christ Jesus." Gal. 3:28 (NRSV) |
Overview
Councils of churches are strong advocates for Christian unity. A truly ecumenical body is deeply immersed in education for ecumenism, and seeks to reawaken that educational responsibility in other religious institutions, including local parishes, denominations, and seminaries.
Hope for the Future
As an ecumenical advocate, the Massachusetts Council of
Churches seeks to
promote an understanding of and commitment to Christian unity.
In 2000, the
MCC Board of Directors, with the help of many ecumenical friends, created Hope
for the Future: the Rev. Diane C. Kessler Fund for Ecumenical Formation and
Education, in honor of the Executive Director’s twenty-fifth
anniversary in ministry with the Council. This Fund can be used to:
Offer scholarships for promising ecumenical leaders
Provide for guest lectureships
Support internships at the MCC
Make key resources available to churches
Support dialogues that foster ecumenical education and formation
Host ecumenical leaders and colleagues from other parts of the world
Envoys for Ecumenism
The Council also sponsors Envoys for Ecumenism, an intentional association of individuals committed to invigorating the ecumenical movement through personal, interpersonal, and corporate disciplines.
Envoys enjoy their annual dinner/dialogue at the Walker Center on June 1,
2006.
The Forrest L. Knapp Ecumenical Award
The Forrest L. Knapp Award is given each year at the Annual Meeting of the Massachusetts Council of Churches. The purpose of the award is to stimulate interest and involvement in the ecumenical task - that is, making visible and effective the unity and mission of the Christian church - by honoring a person and/or institution who/which has contributed significantly to the advancement of ecumenism in Massachusetts.
Resources
"Receive One Another: Hospitality in Ecumenical Perspective" Edited by Rev. Dr. Diane C. Kessler.
"Councils of Churches and the Ecumenical Vision" by Rev. Dr. Diane Kessler and Rev. Michael Kinnamon
These books can be ordered from:
International Specialized Book Services
5824 NE Hassalo Street,
Portland, OR 97213-3644
(800) 944-6190
E-mail:publications@wcc-coe.org
"A Theological Exploration of Ecumenical Hospitality" (lecture) by Rev. Fr. George Tavard
View the following resources online:
Envoys for Ecumenism 
Media Directory 
Odyssey Toward Unity
Together We Pray: Prayers for
Christian Unity