The ARK, a Publication of the Amrican Association of Interchurch Families

34 Pages·2014·1.04 MB·English

by  Mary Jane Glauber

January, February & March 2014 Volume 25; Edition 1
The ARK, A Publication of the American Association of Interchurch Families
Volume 25; Edition 1 January, February & March 2014
International Standard Serial Number: ISSN 1943-6467 (print)
ISSN 2160-682X (online)
THE ARK
A Publication of the American Association
of Interchurch Families
AAIF IS A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION,
REGISTERED IN THE STATE OF NEBRASKA
Earlier editions of the ARK may be found at
http://www.interchurchfamilies.org/
Select “Other Publications” ~ Then scroll down to find the ARK
AAIF is an official affiliate of the Interchurch Families International
Network - IFIN
The ARK© Interchurch Families:
Copyright 2014
Christian Unity Made Visible in our Households
AAIF
all rights reserved
Interchurch Families
“Listen with the ear of
your heart”
- Carrying Forward the theme from
the 2012 AAIF Conference held in
Minnesota until we gather again in
2016
Theme: Interchurch
Families as Domestic
Churches Highlight the A Blessing, A Prayer for the New Year
need for more
collaboration in society "May kindness come to your house, may peace always be able
to find you. May strength be there when you need it, may
- Our quest then is “How patience ever attend you. May laughter never be far behind the
troubles you encounter nor sorrow stay too long when comfort
can we reconnect with
comes seeking your hand. In every small way may grace enfold
God, each other and the
lorem ipsum dolor met set your life, the warmth of love sustain you. Receive these
very soil from which all of
blessings now, take them in like old friends found once more,
quam nunc parum
our food springs forth and
until they become a part of you, a reminder of your own value, of
grows bo2th i0n ou0r fa7milies
who you are and what you mean and why you woke to see the
and in the greater light again."
community that is the ~ The Rt. Rev. Steven Charleston, Choctaw
world?”
Page 1
Contents
Page 1 ....Interchurch Families: “Listen with the ear of your heart.”
Theme: Interchurch Families as Domestic Churches Highlight the Need for More Collaboration in
Society, and A Blessing, A Prayer for the New Year
Page 2....Contents Page and AAIF 2014 OFFICERS: Contact Information
Page 3....Finding God’s Holy Spirit in the 21st. Century; A Relevant Link for Interchurch Families; Domestic Churches
A Prayer for the Faithful That Highlights Life in the USA at the Beginning of 2014;
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity; Theme for 2014: Has Christ been divided? (1 Cor 1:1-17)
s 4 Pages 4 - 8 Being and Becoming Church: The Spirit-Filled Genesis Bible study 4; By Hyunju Bae with Implications
e 1
mili 20 for American Interchurch Families and Ecumenists
Page 8......... Welcome This Happy Morning: Fresh Starts: Sparking the Human Heart, a quote by Barbara Brown Taylor,
a h
F c from “Leaving Church,” with a discussion and reflection by M.J. Glauber
h ar
c M Pages 10 & 11 Defining “Interchurch Families” by Ray Temmerman with a link to his web page
ur d Pages 11 & 12 Opportunities Exist: Choices Faced by Interchurch Couples by M.J. Glauber
h n
erc y a Pages 12 & 13 Choices Faced by Interchurch Couples Affect Ecumenical Efforts and Whether
nt ar They Actually Can Become Ecumenical Couples by M.J. Glauber
of I bru Pages 13 - 15 What is Needed At This Time With Implications For Interchurch Families by M.J. Glauber
n e Pages 15 - 30 Upon the Celebration of Our Fortieth Wedding Anniversary: by M.J. Glauber
o F
ati y, Sub-Topics:
ci ar
o u Pages 15 - 16 Some Reflections; Some Observations
s n
s a Pages 16 - 17: Being in an Interchurch Marriage Isn’t About Being Right; It is About Learning to Love More Fully
A J
n Page 17: Needed: Proper Pastoral Care For Couples Planning to Marry Across Historic Denominational Divides
a
c Pages 17 - 18: The Rules; What Rules.... Love is the Rule or is it?
eri Page 18: The Need For Remote Marriage Preparation: For The Entire Community Of Believers
m
A Pages 18 - 20: The Promise
e Page 20: Being Different Doesn’t Mean Being Nothing”
h
of t Pages 20 - 21: Double Church Attendance....Not Recognized or Perhaps Misunderstood
n Pages 21 - 22: Spouses Who Attend Church Separately
catio PPaaggee s2 222: - 2 3 : PCaosnsvienrgs ioonn tohfe C Foanitvhe:n Oieunrc De oomr eBsetcica uCsheu rocfh ae sD eeply Felt Faith
bli Page 23: Feeling Welcomed or Rejected
1
u
P n Pages 23 - 24: The Eucharist
o
, a diti Page 24: Tithing for Interchurch Couples
KE Pages 24 - 25: Where Will You Go To Church The First Sunday After Your Wedding?

R5; Pages 25 - 26: Regarding Remote Marriage Preparation
A 2 Pages 26 - 27: Are Interchurch Marriages Valid?
e
e m Pages 27 - 28: Confirmation in Both Churches
hu
ol Page 28: Do Divorced Protestants Have to Go Through the Annulment Process In Order to Marry a Roman Catholic?
TV
Pages 28 - 29: Trinitarian Baptisms
Page 29: Topics To Be Explored More Fully (and there may be many more than what has been included here)
Pages 29 - 30: Cultural Interpretations or Misinterpretations
Page 30: Conclusion
Pages 30 - 32 The Vatican - A Valued Source of Encouragement for Interchurch Families With Implications for
Interchurch Families and Ecumenists by M.J. Glauber
Pages 32 - 33 Wendell Berry Receives Marty Award with Reflections upon hearing Wendell Berry speak at AAR/SBL:
November 2013 by April Yamasaki with Implications for Interchurch Families and Ecumenists by M.J. Glauber
Pages 34 ....... Many Thanks!!!

AAIF Contacts:
AAIF 2014 OFFICERS:
CO-CHAIR = Libbye & Guy Montgomery [email protected]
VICE CO-CHAIR = Lynne & Doug Wragge [email protected]
SECRETARY = Diane & Lamar Burton [email protected]
TREASURER = Elaine & Clint Hall [email protected]
The current term of office will be from July 1, 2012 through June 30, 2014, at which time another election will be held. Please contact
any of the above mentioned officers if you would like to have information about how to become more actively involved with AAIF.
Page 2
Finding God’s Challenge is to Create a World text and ensures that it is
that is United in Seeking linked with the search for the
Holy Spirit in the Justice, Fair Market Practices unity of the church.
and an Honest Chance for
21st. Century Everyone. ~ M.J.. Glauber The text is jointly published by
+++++++++++ the Pontifical Council for
Promoting Christian Unity
"You shall love the stranger Week of and WCC, through the WCC's
first of all because you know Commission on Faith and
what it is to be a stranger Prayer for Order, which also
yourself.” accompanies the entire
Christian production process of the text.
“ Second of all, you shall love The final material is sent to
the stranger because the Unity member churches and Roman
stranger shows you God." Catholic dioceses, and they
~ Barbara Brown Theme for 2014: are invited to translate the text
Taylor, from An Altar in the and contextualize it for their
Has Christ been
World own use.
+++++++++ divided?
Keep on praying
(1 Cor 1:1-17)
A Prayer for the
throughout the
At least once a year, many
Faithful That
Christians become aware of year
Highlights Life in the great diversity of ways of
The Ecumenical Prayer Cycle
adoring God. Hearts are
the USA at the enables you to journey in
touched, and people realize
prayer through every region of
Beginning of 2014 that their neighbours' ways are
the world and through every
not so strange.
"Let not the hope of the poor week of the year.
be taken away. Let not the
The event that touches off this
dreams of hard working http://www.oikoumene.org/en/
special experience is
people be lost. Let not the currentprayercycle.xml
something called the Week of
woman or man searching for
Prayer for Christian Unity.
work be disappointed. Let not http://www.oikoumene.org/en/
Traditionally celebrated
the few keep more than they resources/documents/general-
between 18-25 January (in
need while the many are left secretary/speeches/the-unity-
the northern hemisphere) or
without enough. Let not the we-seek-reflections-on-
at Pentecost (in the southern
world be divided by those who ecumenism-today-13-
hemisphere), the Week of
have and those who are october-2012
Prayer enters into
denied. Please hear these
+++++++++++++++
congregations and parishes all
prayers, God, and give us the
over the world. Pulpits are Domestic Churches:
will to live them out.
exchanged, and special Please see the following
Strengthen our resolve for
ecumenical celebrations and important and very relevant
justice, for fairness in the
prayer services are arranged. article for interchurch families
marketplace, for an honest
and ecumenists regarding
chance for every person who
Ecumenical partners in a Interchurch Families as
works for their family. Let us
particular region are asked to Domestic Churches:
earn so that we can share."
prepare a basic text on a http://www.paulist.org/

biblical theme. Then an evangelization/how-do-we-
~ The Rt. Rev. Steven
international group with WCC- raise-children-inter-church-or-
Charleston, Choctaw
sponsored (Protestant and interreligious-families
Orthodox) and Roman
The New Year brings with it
Catholic participants edits this
Hope and Dreams for All; Our
Page 3
Being and and Pamphylia, Egypt and the and the two volumes are to be
parts of Libya belonging to read as one literary unit. The
Becoming Cyrene, and visitors from prophetic tradition, especially
Rome, both Jews and the prophetic Spirit, is one of
Church: The proselytes, 11 Cretans and the thematic consistencies in
Arabs—in our own languages Luke-Acts. It is only natural
Spirit-Filled we hear them speaking about that Luke, who portrayed
s 4
e 1 God’s deeds of power.” 12 All Jesus as a Spirit-gifted prophet
mili 20 Genesis were amazed and perplexed, who ‘brings good news to the

a h
F c saying to one another, “What poor, proclaims release to the
h ar does this mean?” 13 But captives and recovery of sight
c M
ur d Bible study 4; others sneered and said, to the blind, lets the oppressed
h n
c a By Hyunju Bae “They are filled with new wine.” go free, and proclaims the year
er y 15 July 2013 of the Lord’s favour” (Luke
nt ar
I u The Acts of the Apostles 4:18-19), also conceived of the
n of ebr Acts 2:1-13 Translation: describes a powerful first faith community of Jesus’
o F New Revised Standard disciples as a Spirit-filled
ati y, process, the growth of
ci ar Version the early Jesus prophetic community,
o u 1 When the day of Pentecost practicing justice and love.
Ass Jan had come, they were all movement in the ancient
n together in one place. 2 And Mediterranean world. The text in its
a
c suddenly from heaven there Transforming people, the good
meri came a sound like the rush of news of Jesus Christ spread context
A a violent wind, and it filled the beyond the bounds of
he entire house where they were Palestinian Jewish Staying Together (v.1).
of t sitting. 3 Divided tongues, as communities into the This text is situated at a
ublication 1 oaofilfnfl efdtihdr eae w, m tiaot.h pn4 pgt hAeueaell r Horeefdo st lhtyaee mSdm opo niwnrgi tee atrahence dhm , HRoefneo helmliresgan endist eiEtcsic mcd rGepipvierteeniol.to niAlpe otm wft hetohenre tlod ou oft sft hethet e sofJotevrreramurteasaagltli loidecn emi nsa iccntirhadipul ltrpiicfoeohn i no iontf f it Anhth ceLet su ke’s

P n began to speak in other Christian movement, Luke
o chapters 1-5. The opening
, a diti languages, as the Spirit gave presents the Holy Spirit as the verse of the present passage
KE them ability. vitalizing enabler for creative
catches our eye because of
R5; and courageous Christian
A2 Jesus’ disciples’ evident intent
e me 5fr oNmo wev tehreyr en awtieorne udnedveoru t Jews wfiristnt eCshsr.i sAticatns sis w ah ost,o ry of the to stay together: “When the
hu day of Pentecost had come,
TVol heaven living in Jerusalem. 6 empowered by the Holy Spirit, they were all together in one
And at this sound the crowd defied the gravity of
place” (Acts 2:1). They had just
gathered and was bewildered, geographical, cultural, political,
undergone a series of
because each one heard them and spiritual restrictions with
traumatic and incredible
speaking in the native astounding inner strength, both
experiences, the meaning of
language of each. 7 Amazed individual and communal, to
which they were yet to grasp.
and astonished, they asked, become witnesses of Jesus
They had tragically lost Jesus
“Are not all these who are Christ (Acts 1:8).
(whom they had believed in
speaking Galileans? 8 And
and trusted as the Lord and
how is it that we hear, each of The initial chapters of Acts
Christ who came to usher in
us, in our own native describe the formation and
the kingdom of God) through
language? 9 Parthians, nature of the first church in
crucifixion, considered the
Medes, Elamites, and Jerusalem in the power of the
most severe form of capital
residents of Mesopotamia, Holy Spirit. The same author
punishment in the Roman
Judea and Cappadocia, wrote both the Gospel of Luke
Empire. Worse, they must
Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and the Acts of the Apostles,
have felt ashamed of the
Page 4 Continued on the next page
unbearable fact languages. Unlike
that one of the the unintelligible
insiders glossolalia
betrayed the (Fabricated and
Lord and that non-meaningful
they themselves speech) at the
failed to be Corinthian church (1
faithful disciples Cor. 14; 2 Cor.
when exposure 12:1-4), despite
of their differences they
relationship to experienced an
Jesus might ability to
have Image of a winter day in Southern Indiana; communicate with
endangered photo taken in the United States MJG © one another, a basic
their own safety necessity for
and survival. building community.
A spirit-filled community
Before long, however, they The curse of Babel is removed
(vs.2-4). The day of
experienced the unexpected (Gen. 11:1-9). While what
Pentecost came. Pentecost is
and extraordinary events of the happened in Babel was the
originally the Greek name for
resurrection and ascension of loss of communicability and
the Jewish Festival of Weeks,
Jesus Christ. They seemed not reciprocal comprehension due
which concluded the period of
to know what to do, and their to diverse languages, what
seven-week grain harvest with
inability to grasp this series of took place at Pentecost was
the presentation of an offering
unique experiences at once is the restoration of
of new grain and other
reflected in their gesture of communication and the
offerings to the Lord (Lev.
“gazing into heaven” as Jesus opening of the possibility of
23:15-16; Deut. 16:9). On that
went up (Acts 1:10). mutual understanding.
very day, the disciples were
baptized with the Holy Spirit
The disciples’ response It was a celebration of their
(vs.2-4), as Jesus promised
to this series of diversity, which is a gift of
(1:5).
God as they saw themselves
remarkable experiences,
as one in faith, witness and
which were beyond their
The Holy Spirit came upon
hope.
understanding, was to them “like the rush of a violent
stay and pray together. It wind” and “as of tongues of The Holy Spirit comes down
didn’t matter that they were a fire.” In the biblical tradition upon them in the form of
heterogeneous group of wind is an emblem of the Spirit gushing wind and tongues of
fishermen, tax collectors, of God, which is life-restoring fire. These are images
Zealots, men and women. “All and spontaneous (Ezek. associated with fury, force,
these with one accord were 37:9-10; John 3:8); and fire is destruction, purification and
devoting themselves to the form of God’s descent upon also transformation and
prayer” (Acts 1:14, RSV). They Mount Sinai (Exod. 19:18). The change. Does this suggest that
gathered there as a coming of the Holy Spirit their coming and being
bewildered community, not receives its metaphoric depth together has a purpose distinct
with the expectation of being in association with the baptism from other community
endowed with mystical or with fire: “He will baptize you formations?
supernatural powers but to with the Holy Spirit and
celebrate together their hope fire” (Luke 3:16). An alternative
in God amidst fears,
community (vs.5-11). Now
anxieties and uncertainties. The Holy Spirit enabled the
the scene shifts from inside to
disciples to speak in other
Page 5
Continued on the next page
outside the house, from only the age-old socio- room, a humble corner at
speakers to hearers (2:5-11). psychological convention of the margins of Jerusalem,
The multitude of Jews, stereotyping was overcome thus became the birthplace
whether they are pilgrims from but also reversal of centrism of Spirit-filled creative
the diaspora or residents of took place. It was an movement – the church.
Judea, gathered at the experience of unity, a This mission from the
s 4
e 1 compelling sound that the Holy genuine human margins continues in the
mili 20 Spirit fostered. A long list of togetherness that was not next chapters of Acts and is

a h countries and peoples is governed by unhelpful executed in the footsteps of
F c
h ar enumerated to suggest “every dynamics of hierarchical the life-giving mission of
c M
ur d nation under heaven.” Broadly power but by mutual Jesus Christ himself, who
h n speaking, the list moves first affirmation and came to serve, not to be
c a
er y from east to west, then from responsibility. served (Mark 10:45).
nt ar north to south, generating the
I u
of br impression that the scale of Unity is strong and real only The last two verses (12, 13)
n e
o F Christian mission has in situations where the demonstrate two opposing
ati y, something to do with “the ends power of some does not responses to this
ci ar
o u of the earth” (1:8). overwhelm others. We are astonishing manifestation of
s n
s a overwhelmed by many the power of the Holy Spirit
A J
n What is prominent here is the expressions and experiences through the Galileans
ca importance of the “Galileans.” of oppressive forms of unity. (12-13). Some, in amazement
eri To their embarrassment and Genuine unity is sustained and perplexity, began to
m
A amazement, the diaspora in a spirit of humility, seek the meaning of this
e Jews found that the leaders of honesty, accepting each new event, while others,
h
n of t t(h2i:s7 )e. vTehnet wmeirses iGoanl itleoa ns oshthaepri’nsg d tioffgeerethnecre s ahnadr ed raepmatahientiincg, innutemnbs iafinedd their
o proclaim “God’s deeds of visions and goals. It is only deep-rooted traditional
cati power” (2:11) thus begins then that the unity we have prejudice and insulted the
bli from the margins. It was the in Christ becomes a gift of disciples by dubbing them
1
u
P n despised and marginalized the Spirit. As the three as drunkards.
o
, a diti Galileans who experienced the synoptic gospels record, when
KE power of the Holy Spirit and Jesus rejects power, he This new community finds

R5; served as its pioneering receives the Holy Spirit and itself and with those on the
A 2 instruments. In the ensuing announces the good news of margins and not those in
e
e m story the Galileans, once the reign of God. places and positions of
hu
ol regarded as not worthy of power and privilege, so it
TV
respect (John 1:46), are now When we reject power that becomes an object of
addressed as “brothers” (2:37) dominates and destroys, the suspicion and sarcasm.
and later acknowledged as Holy Spirit finds its way to us,
leaders who provide teaching effecting new possibilities that A prophetic community
for the community (2:42). benefit the larger community (vs.14-36). This passage,
and not just individuals or
though not part of the text for
The coming of the Holy individual self-fulfillment.
our reflection now, is the
Spirit effected the
threshold to a subsequent
restoration of these The mission of the church is
story about the genesis and
marginalized people and not confined to the task of
nature of the first church, born
their transformation into reaching out to witness but
of the prophetic Spirit. In a
creative agents, to open up is to draw people and
following address (vs.14-36),
the possibility of unity communities to become
Peter not only quotes from the
among people with linguistic open, just and inclusive
prophet Joel, who proclaimed
and cultural diversities. Not communities. An upper
Page 6 Continued on the next page
a Spirit-endowed egalitarian economy of compassion and eclipses the prophetic face of
vision. sharing. the Holy Spirit and
impoverishes our
Peter himself also functions as The text in our understanding of the richness
a prophet who criticizes the of the Holy Spirit.
context
ignorant and arrogant
authorities, Jewish and Roman, Many Christians tend to think From Luke’s perspective,
for having killed Jesus (v. 23). of the work of the Holy Spirit personal healing, bold
What sustains their unity is almost exclusively in a proclamation of the gospel
their mutual accountability narrowly individualistic way, message, and the practice of
and responsibility, and their mostly in terms of the miracle prophetic alternative
courage to differ and to of speaking in tongues. But community are inseparably
resist the existing the true miracle that the Holy intertwined in the life of the
oppressive and unjust norms Spirit performed was in church (Acts 2-4). The
and values. building the faith community therapeutic, the kerygmatic
that lived up to the prophetic (the preaching of the gospel of
A remarkable trait of the faithful alternative vision of justice Christ, especially in the manner
community of the Holy Spirit and peace. Luke, who of the early church. Kerygma
was the sharing of possessions described Jesus as the Spirit- means the apostolic
(vs.37-47). The first church anointed prophet in the Gospel, proclamation of salvation
“had all things in common; they demonstrated in Acts that through Jesus Christ), and the
would sell their possession and God’s prophetic ministry prophetic dimensions are
goods and distribute the continued in the life of interwoven.
proceeds to all, as any had Jerusalem church individually
need” (vs.44-45). and communally. Jesus said, Luke employed a vivid
“Take care! Be on your guard metaphor of wind and fire to
Sharing of possessions was against all kinds of greed; for describe the descent of the
not so much a compulsory one’s life does not consist in Holy Spirit. The historical
regulation as a spontaneous the abundance of creativity of the Holy Spirit,
and compassionate voluntary possessions” (Luke 12:15). bringing the first church into
act, repeated as “any had existence, is somehow
need.” Luke’s portrayal might This was the wisdom that reminiscent of its cosmic
be an attempt to present the guided the first church, creativity.
first church as both an ideal enriching it instead with
community in which the Greek abundance of life, joy and The Holy Spirit, who created
and Hellenistic philosophical praise. The first church did the faith community in one of
ideal of true friendship is not know the so-called the civilized urban hubs in
attained, and as a faithful individualistic “prosperity the ancient world, also
community in which the gospel” (5:1-11). contained within its own
promise of Jewish scripture sacred energy the forces that
that “There will be no one in Recapturing the biblical operated beyond human
need among you” is fulfilled understanding of the Holy control, even evocative of
(Deut. 15:4; Acts 4:34). What Spirit is crucial for the the untamable wilderness
matters is that the act of church in the 21st century. (Acts 8:26).
sharing goods and The prophetic Spirit is the
possessions itself embodies mother of the church, and this In the end, the first church was
the vision of justice which church is called to be a not so much a closed and self-
creates true peace. The first community with difference in its sufficient institution as a new
church practiced the being and actions. Too often an creation (2 Cor. 5:17), open
prophetic alternative individualistic and exclusively to the transcendent space of
charismatic perspective life that the Spirit generates.
Continued on the next page Page 7
Neither an exclusively Bless us to be renewed and with each other in community
charismatic understanding nor empowered move forward. ~ M.J. Glauber
a closed rationalism does by the healing and prophetic
justice to the richness of the energy of the Holy Spirit,
++++++++++
Holy Spirit. so that we may serve you and
the world in joy, strength, and Welcome This Happy
What sustains unity is a unity. Morning -
s 4
e 1 common vision of
mili 20 Spirit-led community. Give the church the courage May the New Year (2014) be
a h to struggle for justice and filled with joy, peace, magic
F c
h ar Questions for reflection and peace, as witness of your and above all else, love. Bless
c M creative work of grace and
ur d discussion you all. Keep shining your light
ch an 1. When and how is unity as love. Amen. and together we can brighten
er y a gift of the Spirit? the world! With love, ~ Jiraffe
nt ar About the author: Hyunju
I u 2. How do we re-imagine
n of ebr power in relation to genuine BDaeep atertamcehnets o ifn t hthee N ew
o F expressions of unity? “And now we welcome the
ciati ary, 3. What makes you assert TPeresstabmyteenrita Snt uUdniievse rasti tBy.u Ssahne is new year, full of things that
o u or deny the prophetic have never been”
n Ass Jan c4h. a r aAc ltietmr oufs ytoeustr fcohru trrcuhe? unity aC hmuirncisht eorf iKno trheea .Presbyterian ~ Rainer Maria Rilke
a
c is its power to effect common +++++++++++++++
Ameri greoaolidti,e asn fdo rt oa lcl,r epaatreti cnuelawr ly for Swwowu.rocikeo:u mhtetpn:e//.org/en/ Sparking the
he the marginalized and the resources/documents/ Human Heart
n of t dinisscpririmatiinoantaeld e. x aSmhaprlees of true astsusdeimesb/blye/2in0g1-3a-nbdu-sbaenc/obmibilneg-- Take a few quiet moments to
atio unity in your own context. church-the-spirit-filled-genesis pause over the words of
c Barbara Brown Taylor who
ubli 1 5. Is your church inclusive Implications for wrote, “The effort to

P n enough, especially for people American Interchurch
o untangle the human
, a diti with disabilities? Families and words from the divine
KE
Ecumenists:

R5; 6. What are the examples of seems not only futile to
A2 We live in a global society
e me the stereotyping of “the other” although we may be physically me but also
in your own community and
hu situated in the United States. unnecessary, since God
TVol culture? How can we avoid Much of what happens
works with what is. God
getting caught in these
elsewhere in the world affects
oppressive cultural traps? uses whatever is usable
us either directly or indirectly.
Hyunju Bae points out that in life, both to speak
7. How do we view the
recent events had baffled and and act, and those who
reality of migration – as an
perplexed the early Christians;
insist on fireworks in
obstacle or opportunity for
they chose to stay together
unity? the sky may miss the
and to puzzle out the meaning
of the events they were facing electricity that sparks
Prayer
( This is significant.) In the the human heart." This
God of abundant life,
21st. Century, it is very clear
quote by Barbara Brown
we remember the day of your
that we all need each other so
creation of the church Taylor comes from her book
that we can parse out the
as the amazing day of a new “Leaving Church”
meaning of what is happening
beginning in the power of the
in the world today so that we
Holy Spirit.
can collectively and united
Continued on the next page
Page 8
commendable, if there is any
excellence, if there is
anything worthy of praise,
think about these things.”
What is honorable, just, pure,
lovely, commendable and/or
excellent is what we should
seek out now among all of the
distractions that exist in our time
and place. In this way, we are
very much like all of humanity
who has ever lived before us.
In John 1: 1-5 ESV, we learn “
1 In the beginning was the
Word, and the Word was with
God, and the Word was God.
2 He was in the beginning
with God. 3 All things were
made through him, and
without him was not any thing
“God works with what is” affection and sympathy,
made that was made. 4 In him
meaning that in our ordinary and 2 complete my joy by being of
was life, and the life was the
simple actions we may be able the same mind, having the
light of men(humanity). 5 The
same love, being in full
to do that of God. I am reminded light shines in the darkness,
accord and of one mind. 3 Do
of a quote made by Calvin and the darkness has not
nothing from selfish ambition
Coolidge, "We cannot do overcome it.”
or conceit, but in humility
everything at once, but we
count others more significant
can do something at once." Our Triune God is still our
than yourselves. 4 Let each of
beacon in the darkness of
We can do something. We must you look not only to his own
modern life. We see that Holy
do something that is for the interests, but also to the
Light reflected back to us and
good. Having a goal in mind interests of others. 5 Have
found in the faces of other
may help us to decide what that this mind among yourselves,
human beings, all human
something should be that we which is yours in Christ
beings. Our challenge is to
Jesus, 6 who, though he was
must do. recognize that of God shining
in the form of God, did not
out to us from the face of others
count equality with God a
It is time to act as if we have so that we can ennoble them,
thing to be grasped, 7 but
achieved Christian Unity, the world, ourselves and find
emptied himself, by taking the
because this is our goal, and to solutions, real solutions that
form of a servant, being born
move us closer to that of God
treat all of humanity as our in the likeness of men. 8 And
and God’s plan for our world.
brothers and sisters, but not as being found in human form,
siblings coming from a he humbled himself .... Christ
May the New Year be filled
dysfunctional family, but from humbled himself to become
with hope and bright
one truly healthy human family human, like us.”
dreams for all of us
system.
In Philippians 4:8 ESV, Paul because together we form
states, “8 Finally, brothers, one great community.
Paul in Phillipians 2: 1-8 ESV,
whatever is true, whatever is
tells us 1 “So if there is any ~ M.J. Glauber
honorable, whatever is just,
encouragement in Christ, any
whatever is pure, whatever is
comfort from love, any +++++++++++
lovely, whatever is
participation in the Spirit, any
Page 9
What does being in on the journey to Christian divisions.” says Ray
an interchurch unity, while still others come in Temmerman.
an attempt to make sense of
marriage mean?
the pain and frustration they Ray explains his mission,
are feeling as they live in their “This web site seeks to link all
Are Other Terms Also Used marriage the impact of the those families, groups, and
es 14 to Describe Interchurch scandal of churches divided.” Associations so that together
mili 20 Families? we may grow in Christian

a h
F c Ray Temmerman explains, unity, and become for our
h ar From the link: http:// “More and more, however, churches an ever-greater gift
c M
ur d interchurchfamilies.org people are coming here to of healing of the scandal of
h n
erc y a discover the richness and joy disunity.”
nt ar Ray Temmerman, who to be found in sharing in each Ray observes that “It takes
of I bru himself, is in an interchurch other's church traditions, and seriously both our marriage
n e marriage, explains “Some worshipping as much as commitment to one another
o F
ati y, people come to this site possible together in each and the fact that two churches
oci uar because they want to learn other's churches.” are represented in our family;
s n
s a more about what is variously by affirming at local, national
A J
n referred to as “Interchurch families (where and global levels the gifts of
a
meric •• aa nm eixceudm menaircraial gmea, rriage, tdhifefe preanrttn deersn obmelionnagti oton s - often ipnotetercnhtiuarl cahs faa mcailtieasly satn fdo rt heir

e A • an interdenominational a Roman Catholic and a wider church unity.”
h marriage, a two-church Christian of another
of t marriage, a mixed communion) are increasingly Ray Temmerman observes
on Christian marriage, an found all over the world. We that “The Interchurch Families
ati interconfessional have found that as we draw International Discussion
c
bli marriage, a Catholic/non- closer to Christ, we draw Group enables us to share
1
u
P n Catholic marriage, closer to each other, and to joys and sorrows, to discuss
o
, a diti • an interchurch marriage, each other’s churches. Today ways of dealing with
KE • or (mistakenly) an we are gathering in groups immediate issues which arise

R;
5 interfaith marriage. and Associations in various as a consequence of living
A2

e me countries. We lend support to our marital unity within
hu (Interfaith marriages are each other, share information, churches which are divided.
ol
TV between people of two and discuss how to live the Many, be they interchurch
different faiths, whereas the often painful and confusing couples, pastors, or family
marriages referred to here are situations arising out of the and friends of interchurch
those between two people of divisions in the churches. couples, have found it a
different traditions but both source of great
being of the Christian faith.)“ We also reach out to other encouragement.
interchurch families so they,
“Some come because they too, may come to discover Speaking for all interchurch
have a family member or and celebrate the richness of families who make up the
friend who is married to, or each other's traditions, a Interchurch Family
considering marrying, a richness of our baptismal International Network, Ray
Christian of another tradition. unity which we know from Temmerman says, “We hope
Others come to learn more of experience far exceeds the that as you browse these
what the churches are saying pages, you will find new
Page 10
Continued on the next page