The ARK August 2011 Volume 22, Edition 8

16 Pages·2011·0.76 MB·English

by  Mary Jane Glauber

International Standard Serial Number: ISSN 1943-6467 (print)
K
ISSN 2160-682X (online)
Earlier editions of the ARK can be found at http://www.interchurchfamilies.org/aaif/ark
“A Friend”
Interchurch
The
R wedding
Importance
ceremonies, a
of friendship discussion
in our lives Pages 5 -9
AAUGUST Pages
2011 14 - 16
VOLUME 22
EDITION 8

e
h
Interchurch Families: Christian Unity
T Made Visible in our Households
Sacred Spaces
Ecumenical Work 
and an Abundant
© Copyright 2011 AAIF in the USA:
Life: Pages 4 & 5
all rights reserved Pages 2 & 3
The ARK, a publication of the American Association of Interchurch Families
THE MOST "Working
PRECIOUS Together"
FREEDOM How do we move from theory
to real life? Human history is
filled with many accounts of
As Americans we grew up
war. Many of us will remember
memorizing the Bill of Rights.
a song with the lyrics, “War,
Many of us know that our
what is it good for?” ...It is an
ancestors came to America in
old song now. I still don’t have
search of religious freedom, a better answer than the one
but what happened when they given in that song. Perhaps
actually arrived here? learning better ways to
communicate are needed.
Pages 10 - 13
Pages 2 - 5
"You shall know the truth and Make plans now to attend the next
AAIF Biennial Conference
the truth will make you free"
to be held in 2012
2011 Please see www.aifusa.org for on-going updates
The ARK August 2011 page 1 Volume 22, Edition 8
AAIF IS A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION, REGISTERED IN THE STATE OF NEBRASKA
THE MOST PRECIOUS FREEDOM
The link to find the January edition of the ARK: http://www.interchurchfamilies.org/aaif/ARKJan2011Volume22Edition1.pdf
Written resources
about Social
mjg © Class and the
ways it impacts
our lives:
“Bridging the
Class Divide”
by Linda Stout;
Butterfly in
“Class Matters”
August in
by Betsy Leondar-Wright;
Kentucky
“Limbo”
by Alfred Lubrano
How Kentucky has responded Please register for alerts at
AAIF City Chapters: Are you
to the call to be and to become http://capwiz.com/kychurches/
ecumenical and to promote mlm/signup interested in meeting and
Christian Unity:
talking to other interchurch
o Attending the KCC annual
families in your city between
assembly. Be sure to identify
KCC
yourself as a AAIF Biennial Conferences?
Congregational congregational liaison. Please

call 859-269-7715 for
Please See
Liaisons
registration details. After the
www.aifusa.org for
Assembly, find a way to report
membership information
-
The work of KCC items particularly meaningful or
2011 dues are due

Congregational Liaisons will pertinent to your
TREASURERS:
vary from congregation to faith community in a newsletter,
L. Elaine & Clint Hall;
congregation with the basic at a committee meeting, or
Georgetown University;
goal to keep the flow of during worship. P.O. Box 571250; Washington, D.C.
information and involvement 20057
going in both directions so o Bringing attention to the E-mail: pastorelaine (at)
that the ecumenical work of yearly Week of Prayer for springfieldvaumc.org
both the parish and the Christian Unity. The Council
KCC will benefit. can always help with this, and Please contact: AAIF.co.chair
it is also possible to order (at) gmail.com or Laura &
Some possible ways to annual materials through
Franz Green at: f and l green
approach this goal include: http://www.geii.org/
(at) cox(dot) net
wpcu_index.htm
o Subscribing to the email for information about how to
alert system of the KCC, o Keeping concerns of the
form an AAIF City Chapter in
responding to those alerts, and world church before the
your area or how to find the
calling them to the attention of congregation, such as during
AAIF City Chapter closest to
the parish/congregation in
appropriate ways. you.
The ARK August 2011 page 2 Volume 22, Edition 8
THE MOST PRECIOUS FREEDOM
The February edition of the ARK can be found at this link: http://www.interchurchfamilies.org/aaif/ARKFeb2011Volume22Edition2.pdf
spoken prayers of intercession. Office Email: How many ways do you
A good way to stay in touch with [email protected] demonstrate your love for your
those concerns Web site: neighbor? (Do you love
is to subscribe to ecumenical www.kycouncilofchurches.org
yourself?)
and denominational news
services such as: Facebook groups: Kentucky
Do you show hospitality for the
https://secure.oikoumene.org/ Council of Churches;
stranger in your quest for
news/sign-up-for-e-news.html and GrassRoots Ecumenical
Christian Unity?
Environmental Network
o Helping your parish/
congregation plan a time Interchurch Families, please let Do you search for the “lost
annually to highlight the work of the readers of the ARK know sheep” in any aspect on your
the KCC, including an offering. the ways that you are journey seeking Christian
participating in this project too Unity?
o Explaining Christian unity to in your area.
the children of the church.
Do you honor your mother and
We would like to hear what father? How do we do this in
o Encouraging your faith
projects have been taken on, 2011?
community to identify and
implemented, and how they Christ wished “That they may
recognize members who are
engaged in ecumenical have been received in your be one” As an interchurch
ministries or activism, perhaps greater community. Please couple, how do you promote
presenting them an share your stories of being on this?
“Ecumenism Award.” Be sure the path toward Christian Unity.
to alert the KCC to such Here are some questions to Christ told us to be like children,
recognitions so that we think about: what is the lesson in this
might recognize them as well.
request for us on our journey
toward Christian Unity?
o Encouraging your
congregation to sponsor an
mjg ©
essay contest as a way to give
an award to younger people.
o Inviting a KCC staff member
or board member to visit.
o Periodically contacting the
KCC to let us know how we
might help you promote
ecumenism in your faith
community.

The possibilities are endless!
Thank you for your service to
your faith community, to the
Kentucky Council of Churches,
and to Christ’s call for Unity.
KCC contact information: Orange rose,
Office Phone: [phone] blooming in July in Kentucky
The ARK August 2011 page 3 Volume 22, Edition 8
THE MOST PRECIOUS FREEDOM
The March edition of the ARK can be found at this link: http://www.interchurchfamilies.org/aaif/ARKMar2011Volume22Edition3.pdf
Instilling a love for Creation God and in
across Generations and partnership with
Denominations - all creatures. mjg ©
Through God,
Faith and Lands
the land
a report from the nourishes all life
and provides us
National Council of Churches of
Christ with what we
need to survive.
The Psalmist declares, “The
As part of our
earth is the LORD’s, and
call to be
everything in it, the world,
stewards of
and all who live in it” (Ps.
creation, we
24:1NIV). Humans are tenants
have a
who hold the land in trust from
responsibility to
God to care
for the land,
Sacred Spaces and
ensuring that it
an Abundant Life:
serves the good
Worship Spaces as
of all Creation,
Stewardship
and protecting it
- ELCA (2010)
for future
This version adapted for
generations and
use by ELCA
congregations: for all life.
http://
The blessings of God www.nccecojustice.org/
are evident all around wilderness/ Creation.
us, including in the About our Work [email protected]
sacred spaces that The Eco-Justice Program is
make up our houses of working to protect God's lands Learn More
worship. These sacred around the United States, Land and creation play an
spaces are where we particularly some of the last important part on our lives as
come to be spiritually truly wild places that remain people of faith. Learn more
nurtured, enriched, and untouched and provide about public lands, wilderness,
recharged. These stunning examples of the work and the local initiatives the
spaces become a of the Lord. We are also Eco-justice Program is working
gathering place to meet working with local communities on to protect God's great
in fellowship with our and state ecumenical bodies in Creation for future generations.
neighbors, and are the the West on place-based Public Lands: In the United
center of our mission campaigns that will protect States, there are 623 million
activities. Even as we unique ecosystems and lands acres of land held by our
are blessed as in their communities. government in the public trust
communities of faith and managed to serve the
Tell the NCCC your story- Do
with gathering places good of society.
you have a favorite hiking trail
for our worship and
or reflective space that allows
ministry, we have Wilderness provides spiritual
you to appreciate God's
responsibilities to be and recreational opportunities.
creation? Please share your
good stewards of these Wilderness also provides
stories and experiences in
sacred spaces. essential habitat for wildlife,
including endangered species.
The ARK August 2011 page 4 Volume 22, Edition 8
THE MOST PRECIOUS FREEDOM
The April edition of the ARK can be found at this link: http://www.interchurchfamilies.org/aaif/ARKApril2011Volume22Edition4.pdf
Learn about the beautiful you instill an appreciation for The couple was having some
places local faith communities God’s creation into young disagreement about the ways
are working to protect through children? they thought the Methodist
our place-based lands work in: Minister should be able to
▪ Arizona participate in their up-coming
Please think about these
wedding with the Roman
▪ Montana things.
Catholic Priest.
▪ Oregon
▪ Texas  For most interchurch couples,
this is the very moment when
▪ Wyoming
they first encounter their first
For More Information difficulties on their way to
Contact: What do the becoming an interchurch
Eco-Justice Program couple and later an interchurch
Office family. Many interchurch
rules actually
National Council of couples will tell you that
“worship in our homes is easy,
Churches
say and where
but when we try to worship in
110 Maryland Ave., NE
one or the other of our
Suite 108
can we find churches, this is where our
Washington, DC 20002
lives start to become painful.”
[phone]
them?
[email protected]
The input and suggestions for
this couple from other
interchurch couples were
Recently a couple wrote to
excellent.
interchurch families indicating
that their marriage rites would
The first suggestion was to
be held in a Roman Catholic
look at the:
Church; a Roman Catholic and
The Ecumenical Directory http:/
a Methodist would be
tinyurl.comecumenicaldirectory)
exchanging vows.
“ALL GOD’S
When you do activities with CREATURES,
your family, what do you like to GREAT AND
do? Does it ever include SMALL” -
getting out into nature to take a
hike? Bee getting
nectar
This may be one of the best
ecumenical opportunities that
Americans have available to us
to experience God’s creation.
How do you spend your time
together that bonds your family
mjg ©
ties across generations and
across denominations? How do
The ARK August 2011 page 5 Volume 22, Edition 8
THE MOST PRECIOUS FREEDOM
Earlier editions of the ARK can be found at http://www.interchurchfamilies.org/aaif/ark
which includes two entries that “The Ecumenical Directory is a disunity would be inserted into
might be of assistance: universal application of Canon the wedding.”
Law. These norms are binding
157. With the previous everywhere within the Catholic “The absence of the Eucharist
authorisation of the local Church. However, the makes it possible to have
Ordinary, and if invited to do language is careful. The bishop considerably more participation
so, a Catholic priest or deacon is not obliged to give by the other minister. Although
may attend or participate in permission, and it does not the Directory limits the
some way in the celebration of oblige the priest to ask for occasions during a Eucharistic
mixed marriages, in situations permission or to act upon liturgy when another Christian
where the dispensation from permission which is granted. may read Scripture, there are
canonical form has been Nevertheless, it is clear that the fewer limitations during a non-
granted. In these cases, there priest's hands are not tied.” Eucharistic liturgy. The
may be only one ceremony in Directory does not mention the
which the presiding person “Paragraph: 159 makes clear reading of the Gospel, but this
receives the marriage vows. At that such a marriage should is also not precluded at a non-
the invitation of this celebrant, not be a Eucharistic liturgy. Eucharistic liturgy. The brief
the Catholic priest or deacon Care should be taken to clarify exhortation that is mentioned
may offer other appropriate to any misinformed Catholics might in fact be the homily or
prayers, read from the that a valid sacramental an explanation of the purpose
Scriptures, give a brief marriage can be celebrated of Christian marriage (a
exhortation and bless the without the Eucharist. Although common element in the
couple. many couples would prefer to wedding rites of Christian
share the Eucharist at their churches). No mention is made
158. Upon request of the wedding, the families of the two of the intercessory prayers,
couple, the local Ordinary may spouses and their friends which may be offered by the
permit the Catholic priest to would not normally be invited minister or by someone
invite the minister of the party permitted to receive the from the congregation.”
of the other Church or ecclesial Eucharist and thus a sign of
Community to participate in the
celebration of the marriage, to
read from the Scriptures, give a
brief exhortation and bless the
couple.
“In paragraph: 157, the
wedding is being celebrated in
the other church with a
"dispensation from the form of
marriage." In paragraph: 158,
the wedding is being
celebrated in the Catholic
parish. Note that the local
Ordinary (the Catholic bishop)
may give permission to the
priest. In most places, these
permissions are pro forma or mjg ©
they are presumed, but local
practice will dictate this.”...
The ARK August 2011 page 6 Volume 22, Edition 8
THE MOST PRECIOUS FREEDOM
The May edition of the ARK can be found at this link: http://interchurchfamilies.org/aaif/ARKMay2011Volume22Edition5.pdf
“The clear limitation in Canon participation in portions that
Law as well as civil law is that I thought that this information can be led by lay people.
the wedding vows must be and input was excellent advice You're not likely to get any
received by the same minister. especially since so many wiggle room on the gospel
The groom cannot make the people seem to be unaware of reading or the vows, but other
vows to one minister and the the existence of the readings, prayers, perhaps
bride to the other. Whichever Ecumenical Directory that was even "words to the couple"
minister receives the vows also created during Vatican II. This after the vows, should all be
makes the declaration and input came from a Roman options.”
signs the marriage register. In
an Eastern church the “I expect that this will need
Catholic priest must to be an ongoing
receive the vows and give conversation in which you
mjg ©
the nuptial blessing in ask the RC priest what
order for the marriage to specifically his concerns
be a valid sacrament.” are, you and your fiance
make suggestions, and
“Even during a marriage then you come back to the
celebrated within a priest for another round of
Eucharistic liturgy, the conversation.”
priest may invite the other
minister to read Scripture - The part about the “on-
as long as it is not the going conversation” I
Gospel passage. At any would like to emphasize;
Eucharistic liturgy, the this is where we become
priest may give real human beings who
permission for a non- are growing in Christ with
Catholic to read Scripture one another. This is where
when circumstances we become pastoral.
favour it. A wedding is
certainly such a “I pray that this will be an
circumstance. A brief opportunity for you to learn
exhortation offered by the about one another and
visiting minister cannot practice advocating for
officially be the homily if the Catholic Theologian who is your family and seeking
marriage is celebrated within a married to a Protestant Pastor. compromise.” - This too is very
Eucharistic liturgy, but it could good advice since in a
certainly be included at another The next input was equally marriage it will be the marriage
place within the liturgy. helpful. It came from a United that should come before
Intercessory prayers and other Methodist Pastor who is everything else. Our wedding
elements of the liturgy that are married to a Roman Catholic. ceremonies need to be
normally offered by lay people explained to us in a way that
may also be offered by the “It would be helpful to know we can understand how we are
visiting minister at the priest's what, exactly, the priest is building this bond along with
invitation.” limiting. It has been a while our churches.
since I've (that Methodist
“In the end, the opportunities pastor is speaking here) gone
God of us all, I give
for sharing within the liturgy through the details. At the very
depend on the goodwill of the least you should be able to you thanks for the love
two ministers. There is no way push for the UM Pastor's
you have placed
to legislate that.”
The ARK August 2011 page 7 Volume 22, Edition 8
THE MOST PRECIOUS FREEDOM
Earlier editions of the ARK can be found at http://www.interchurchfamilies.org/aaif/ark
between this man and interchurch couples, we want when we are living in such a
to encourage our home world in a state of chaos if they
this woman. I
churches to be a part of our had to ask this same or similar
celebrate them as they interchurch life, especially as question however many years
we celebrate those major life ago it was that this same
prepare to enter the
events. question still needs to be asked
married relationship by engaged couples in 2011.
Life is to be celebrated with
that is an image of the
great joy. Marriages are a time The input from a Roman
self-giving love you
have in Jesus for your
people. By your Holy
and reconciling spirit,
may they, and the
priest and minister
who serve in your
name, come together
to celebrate a wedding
that gives you the
mjg ©
glory and the praise.
In the name of Jesus,
the Bridegroom, amen.
of celebration. The older Catholic wife, married to an
A Marriage Coordinator from
generation lets go in a loving Anglican Clergyman, urged for
the Family Life Office of a
way to the next generation for “continued conversations to
Roman Catholic Archdiocese
them to begin a new life find out the source of the fears
indicated, “Obviously, there will
together. We celebrate the behind the actions or
be pastoral considerations and
potential that this new bond comments made by the RC
therefore variance in what
holds. priest.” I believe that there is
happens at weddings, but in
always the possibility for
general, the clergy of the
church where the wedding Interchurch Couples also building the basis or foundation
takes place is the one who expressed some exasperation for greater understanding from
takes the lead and who will and frustration with the slow moments like this if we keep
say/witness the vows. Other pace at which the churches asking questions. Eventually,
than that, there can and will be seem to be moving toward we will ask the right question
any number of combinations on Christian Unity as this that will bring us to the real
the amount of participation.” discussion continued. answers we needed.
This doesn’t exclude the For anyone who has never However, for those interchurch
minister from the other traveled this road or who has families who are deeply
Christian denomination from never worn our shoes, engaged in re-building
being able to participate in the interchurch couples are community and who have
wedding ceremony. As wondering why especially moved onward and into greater
The ARK August 2011 page 8 Volume 22, Edition 8
THE MOST PRECIOUS FREEDOM
Earlier editions of the ARK can be found at http://www.interchurchfamilies.org/aaif/ark
projects that build bridges in
communities that have been
torn apart by religious or
cultural conflicts over many
years, when they see that the
question of Christian Unity has
yet to be adequately addressed
by our churches on our behalf,
or that it has been side-tracked
by issues and discussions that
lead to fruitless results based
on topics that are like mjg ©
minefields instead of bridge
building and inspiring, we can
see how they are perhaps
have been some of those
rightfully indignant to compare right among themselves. We
people who must always win.
the need to ask the same are all on the same journey
question after a span of 40 together; this unity should be
Do we live in a culture that
years. They compared this the underlying concept and
values winning above
experience to “living a life like guiding principle for helping to
everything else? Are there
Sisyphus.” resolve all other issues of our
other things that distract us
time period. Christianity is
from allowing Christ to be
Many years ago, but not so based on the principle of loving
present in our interactions?
many that they have not our neighbors as ourselves.
forgotten the details, a young We look to our churches for our
Christian Unity should not be
family attended an interchurch strength and encouragement
on the “back burner.” Christians
families conference that was through these difficult times.
should not be in verbal or any
held at Ballycastle in Northern
kind of struggle to prove who is
Ireland at a Peace and A report submitted by
the most virtuous or the most
Reconciliation Centre. During M.J. Glauber
that conference, the director
mentioned during a prayer
something about “...there are
people here at this place who
have come from a place that is
very different and far away
from where we are. (They tell
me that they never knew if this
was a physical space, a
spiritual or political space.)
These people come from a
culture where they must win all
the time.” (Again, this young
family says that they never
knew for certain about whom
the director was speaking.)
mjg ©
Those words have caused this
young couple to look closely at
themselves to see if they might
The ARK August 2011 page 9 Volume 22, Edition 8
THE MOST PRECIOUS FREEDOM
But I want to commend another Farris details brutal repression
THE MOST
book to your reading: From over religious differences —
Tyndale to Madison even in America, but especially
PRECIOUS We properly look down on in England. Farris describes
Muslim countries where the saga of Henry VIII and
religion is enforced We his wives at length —
FREEDOM
through and its impact on
properly
social and legal Catholicism
pressures and look down on in England. The
It is a relatively new notion that
violence. changing tides
your right to hold a religious Muslim countries
Farris makes clear after Henry,
conviction is granted by God that religious where between
and not by man. freedom should Catholics and
religion is enforced
not be taken for Protestants,
a book review granted; it is rare through included the
by ERIC SCHANSBERG within the scope social and legal pressures reign of
of world history. “Bloody Mary.”
and
Reprinted with permission Her
by the author
We rightly violence. We rightly criticize regime put
criticize China John Rogers
Every January we celebrate China for persecuting those
for persecuting to death (the
“Religious Freedom Day” in the
those in “house churches.” But the first of 283
United States. It
in “house Protestants),
historical norm — even in
commemorates the day in
churches.” But leaving behind
1786 when Virginia passed its Europe and the American
the historical a wife and 10
“Statute of Religious Freedom.”
norm — even in colonies — was the use of children.
Written by Thomas Jefferson,
Europe and the Perotine
the statute protected what government power to
American Gosset gave
would later be enshrined in the
colonies — was grant birth while being
First Amendment of the U.S.
the use of burned alive. The
Constitution: Government monopoly power to a
government power baby boy was
should neither “establish” a
to grant monopoly religious snatched from the
religion nor prohibit its “free
power to a flames by
sect in each
exercise.”
religious sect in each bystanders, but then
country.
country. Farris covers the thrown back into
Today, most Americans value
amazing history of religious the fire by the sheriff.
religion, but they differ
intolerance and the tenacious
considerably in their
battle for religious freedom in In England, pastors were
understanding of it. You can be
Europe (especially England) required to divorce their wives
a Baptist or a Mennonite; a
and America. He opens with and leave their children —
Catholic or a Protestant;
William Tyndale’s martyrdom when the country moved back
a Christian or a Hindu; a theist,
in his quest to publish his to Catholicism. In America,
a deist or an atheist — and it’s
translation of the Bible in the authorities resorted to
OK. It’s wonderful that we can
1520s — and concludes “cropping” ears and branding
mostly get along.
with the rhetoric and legislative cheeks. Ferris also describes
work of James Madison two females who were strip-
A recent book, American
through the 1780s. searched in Boston for
Grace, by Robert Putnam and
being Quakers. As William
David Campbell, sheds
Staggering Persecution Henry Foote described the
light on this topic by focusing
early governance in Virginia:
on the last 60 years of
American cultural history.
The ARK August 2011 page 10 Volume 22, Edition 8