The ARK November 2011 Volume 22, Edition 11

22 Pages·2011·1.11 MB·English

by  Mary Jane Glauber

International Standard Serial Number: ISSN 1943-6467 (print)
K ISSN 2160-682X (online)
www.interchurchfamilies.org/aaif/
arkindex.shtm
R
NOVEMBER
A
2011
VOLUME 22
EDITION 11

e
h Interchurch Families: Christian Unity
T Made Visible in our Households

© Copyright 2011 AAIF
all rights reserved
The ARK, a Publication of the American Association of Interchurch Families
All Saints Day, All Saints Day along with All
Souls Day reminds us of the
November 1, 2011
excellent examples of lives well
Applying life lessons to
lived that we have been
our ecumenical journey:
blessed with over the years:
The theme for the November our friends, our family, our
2011 edition of the ARK asks teachers and our pastors -
us to look at the way we live. anyone who has made a
We are asked to examine our positive impact, even if in only
ordinary lived experience. How small ways should be
do we make a positive impact remembered and emulated.
with our actions? Have we Think about the things they did
examined our priorities. that made a difference.
M.J. Glauber
“ -Consider how to provoke one another to
Make plans now to attend the next
love and good deeds” - Hebrews 10:24
AAIF Biennial Conference
to be held in 2012 - July 13-15 in Collegeville, MN
2011
Please see www.aifusa.org for on-going updates
AAIF IS A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION, REGISTERED IN THE STATE OF NEBRASKA
The ARK November 2011 page 1 Volume 22 Edition 11
Applying life lessons to our ecumenical journey: Forgiveness
Vatican's top by the
problem" of
ecumenist
differences
assesses
over papal
ecumenical primacy.
progress, mjg ©
Churches that
future prospects
arose from the
Protestant
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The
Reformation,
Vatican's top ecumenist offered
on the other
a frank assessment of recent
hand,
ecumenical progress and
sometimes
future prospects in a
diverge from
Washington talk Nov. 3, 2011.
the Catholic
Church on the
Cardinal Kurt Koch, the Swiss-
handling of
born president of the Pontifical
ethical
Council for Promoting Christian
questions, he
Unity, said different types of
said,
divisions affect Catholic
mentioning
relations with the Orthodox
homosexuality
churches and with those that “For the beauty of the earth...”
as a
were born from the Protestant
"fundamental
Reformation, but both can be
problem" in particular between Ten Ways
resolved with dialogue.
the Catholic and Anglican
communities.
Jesus
He also criticized the "anti-
Catholic attitude" displayed by
Some Anglican churches,
some Pentecostals and said Showed
including the Episcopal Church
Catholics must resist a
in the U.S., have ordained
temptation to adopt the
openly gay priests and Love:
"sometimes problematic
bishops.
evangelical methods" of those
churches.
Cardinal Koch said Protestant
Agape - the Greek
churches have in the past
The cardinal spoke at The word for
generally agreed with the
Catholic University of America unconditional, self-
Catholic Church on ethical
before an audience of about sacrificing love, and
issues while disagreeing on
100 people, including Cardinal
matters of faith. "Today that what we can learn
Donald W. Wuerl of
has been turned on its head, from Christ.
Washington, who serves as
and we can say that ethics
university chancellor. The title
divide but faith unites," he said.
Stephen Post examines the ten
of his talk was "Fundamental
http://www.catholicnews.com/data/
ways that Jesus showed Love.
Aspects of Ecumenism and briefs/cns/20111104.htm
The gospels show us his
Future Perspectives."
immense compassion for the
suffering of others, his attentive
Cardinal Koch said progress 
listening presence, and his
toward Catholic-Orthodox unity
energetic celebration of the
became nearly "shipwrecked
lives around him.
The ARK November 2011 page 2 Volume 22 Edition 11
Applying life lessons to our ecumenical journey: Forgiveness
First, Steven Post notes, “The explains, “The parables of Jesus creativity for the best
Way of Humor,” and explains are works of creative brilliance. purposes.”
that “There are innumerable The great stories of agape love
moments when Jesus are three: The Good Samaritan, Third, Post notes, “The Way of
expressed humor. The British the Prodigal Son, and the Reverence” and explains that
theologian C.K. Chesterton, in Widow's Mite. The first “Jesus had immense reverence
his classic work, Orthodoxy, describes the power of for nature and spent much time
concluded that mirth was "the compassionate response to in quiet natural settings or on
hidden virtue of Jesus." C.S. echo down through the ages; the sea. He constantly showed
Lewis wrote that "joy is the the second captures the reverence for the hearth, for the
serious business of heaven." unconditional love of a father everyday life of the family. While
The Quaker theologian Elton even after he has been insulted no religious leader had yet
Trueblood, a chaplain at both by his son in every way bestowed equal status on
Harvard and Stanford imaginable; the third shows how children, Jesus welcomed them
Universities, wrote The Humor much it means when someone and made them prototypes for
of Christ in 1964 to "challenge who has almost nothing gives a those who would enter the
the conventionalized picture of a small contribution. Jesus loved Kingdom of Heaven. He
Christ who never laughed." people through improvising respected women in ways that
stories galore, for he was a were unheard of at the time. He
Regarding “The Way of Humor,” literary genius. He was also respected the downtrodden, the
Post offers the following Prayer: creative in resolving ethical blind, the lepers. His respect for
“Lord, inspire in us the warm disputes, offering Solomonic life was universal.”
humor and mirthful joy that resolutions. He had an
frees all from anxiety.” unusually free creative mind. Regarding Reverence, Post
offers this prayer: “Lord, give
Second, Post adds “The Way Regarding Creativity, Post offers us a deep reverence that frees
of Creativity” when he us this prayer: “Lord, use our us from the desire to
manipulate others.”
Fourth, Post notes,
“The Way of
Loyalty,” and then
explains that “Jesus
was loyal to Peter
after Peter denied
him. Even when
rejected he was loyal,
as in his lament over
Jerusalem (Matthew
23:37). He was loyal
to the will of God
when, before his
death, he prayed,
"Lord, let this cup
pass from my lips;
nevertheless, not as I
would but as you
mjg ©
will." And there was
never anyone,
A foot bridge to connect one side of a creek bank to the other - however maimed or ill
July 2011 in western Illinois
or rejected, whom he
The ARK November 2011 page 3 Volume 22 Edition 11
Applying life lessons to our ecumenical journey: Forgiveness
did not affirm in loyalty long showing a humble willingness master of caring confrontation.
after everyone else had to respond in depth to what He practiced nonviolent
negated them.” others had spoken. In his many resistance to evil, and it was
healings, people cry out to him his teaching and example that
Steven Post offers us this in need. Simply by listening would inspire Gandhi and the
prayer regarding the and a touch, he offered them great African-American
explanation for loyalty he has hope and wholeness. He Christian leaders of the civil
given to us, “Lord, keep us listened carefully to his rights movement. Jesus asked
loyal even to those who, like enemies and responded to Peter to put down his sword;
ourselves, aren't perfect. them thoughtfully. He had he said that those who live by
immense patience with his the sword die by it. But he also
Fifth, Post notes, “The Way of disciples even when he had confronted spiritual hypocrites
Compassion,” and explains, every reason to be impatient.” and the many moneychangers
“Jesus is depicted in the who had set up shop in the
gospels as a healer who Regarding “Attentive Temple. He was constantly
responded to the needs of the Listening,” Steven Post offers challenging people to think and
suffering even on the Sabbath us the following prayer: “Lord, act lovingly, and this meant that
and was roundly criticized for humble us for attentive he had often to take the risk of
this by the authorities. He listening so that others feel confrontation when he saw
responded to those who would valued. destructive attitudes and
otherwise have been stoned to behaviors around him.”
death. Compassion was Seventh, Steven Post notes,
perfectly captured in his “The Way of Regarding “Caring
parable of the Good Samaritan, "Carefrontation," Confrontation,” Steven Post
a man who responded (Yes, that is the word that Post offers us the following prayer:
immediately and directly to a used and how he spelled it.) “Lord, strengthen us in the
wounded man bleeding by the and explains that “Jesus was a courage to confront evil with
side of the road. Nothing
could make him act in a way
contrary to compassion--not
a busy schedule or social
stigma, as in the case of the
Samaritan woman most
others would not talk to.
Jesus just did what
compassion requires,
whenever and wherever.”
The prayer that Post offers
us regarding compassion is
“Lord, deepen our
compassion amidst
suffering.”
Sixth, Steven Post notes, mjg ©
“The Way of Attentive
Listening” and explains
that “In interacting with
Light shining through the storm clouds in western Illinois,
others, Jesus was
July 2011
extraordinarily attentive,
The ARK November 2011 page 4 Volume 22 Edition 11
Applying life lessons to our ecumenical journey: Forgiveness
wise love rather than abundantly" (I John 10:10). faults. As he died on the cross,
malice.” his last words were, "Father,
Steven Post offers us this forgive them, for they know not
Eighth, Steven Post notes, prayer: “Lord, let us see all what they do."
“The Way of Generativity,” lives as your gifts calling us
and explains that “Jesus didn't to gratitude and celebration.” Finally, regarding “Celebration,”
just help people. He inspired Tenth, Steven Post notes, Steven Post offers us the
others to do so, and “The Way of Forgiveness,” following prayer: “Lord,
encouraged helping behaviors. and explains, “Jesus of enable us to forgive and
Jesus devoted much of his Nazareth brought forgiveness make our apologies
time to making everyday into the Western world. The meaningful.”
people like James and Peter, great prayer of Christianity
ordinary fishermen, into states: "Forgive us our The full article can be found at
paradigms of agape love. His trespasses as we forgive those http://www.beliefnet.com/
life can best be understood as who trespass against us."
Faiths/Christianity/2008/09/
a light that has passed the Jesus asked men ready to
Ten-Ways-Jesus-Showed
power of agape love down throw stones to forgive a
Love.aspx#ixzz1dPlhd08k
through the ages, from woman who had committed
generation to generation, adultery. He always taught 
through the church and forbearance and recommended
Steven Post writes the column
beyond. that we avoid judging one
"Intercultural Geomancy," Other
another because we all have books by Steven Post include: The
Regarding Agape Geomancy of Ancient Crete,
Love, Steven Post and Walking and
Christianity.
shares with us the

following prayer: 
”Lord, prompt us to mjg ©
lend a helping hand
I have included
to the needy, and be
Steven Post’s article,
a generative
“Ten Ways Jesus
example to others.”
Showed Love”
because I believe
Ninth, Post notes,
that he has
“The Way of
highlighted the
Celebration,” and
strengths we hold in
explains that “There
common as
are so many times in
Christians.
the New Testament
when Jesus
Within these
celebrates. He
Christian principles,
attended a wedding
there are some
feast, he was
concrete solutions
regularly criticized for
being offered that will
drinking a bit of wine
help to enable us to
with his disciples,
begin our
and he fed the five
conversations
thousand. Jesus said
leading us to
that he came that we “For the beauty of the earth...” ~ Autumn in a Christian Unity -”That
might have life, "and Kentucky Wetland Area they (we) may all be
have it more
one”
The ARK November 2011 page 5 Volume 22 Edition 11
Applying life lessons to our ecumenical journey: Forgiveness
However, it may be in the area of WASHINGTON— Scholars from
understanding forgiveness where The United the Catholic Church and the
Christ offers us the most hope for United Methodist Church (UMC)
Methodist-
positive and constructive change discussed the relationship
in our world. As Christians, we between the environment and
Catholic Dialogue:
pray in one or more versions or Eucharist at the fourth session of
form the following: "Forgive us Ecumenical and the seventh round of the
our trespasses as we forgive Catholic-Methodist dialogue,
Interreligious
those who trespass against us." June 28-30, in Washington.

Affairs:
Forgiveness may be the Bishop Timothy W. Whitaker, of
beginning point in our the UMC Florida Conference, co-
discussions leading toward http://www.usccb.org/seia/ chaired the dialogue with Bishop
finding Christian Unity. Asking methodist.shtml William S. Skylstad of Spokane,
how we can forgive and be Washington, past president of
forgiven may help us to find a http://old.usccb.org/comm/ the United States Conference of
path in the darkness toward the archives/2010/10-130.shtml Catholic Bishops (USCCB).
“Light.”
Both bishops highlighted the
Methodist-Catholic Dialogue
Please take some time to reflect shared world view that emerges
Looks at Environment,
over the prayers that Steven from the Eucharistic traditions of
Eucharist
Post has provided and how they their churches and said it is
may help to assist us on our relevant to today’s ecological
10-130; July 7, 2010 Press
journey toward Christian Unity. crisis in the Gulf of Mexico.
Release

“In our dialogues and final report
Comments by M.J. Glauber

The following link will
bring you to the PDF
document published by
the Episcopal Church in
the United States
indicating their standing
in 2007 in regard to
ecumenical matters:
http://
www.episcopalchurch.org/
documents/
ecumenicalhandbook2007.p
mjg ©
df
“For the beauty of the earth...” ~ A Remnant Post Oak
Please reflect on what is written at the
Forest in southern Illinois
preceding link.
The ARK November 2011 page 6 Volume 22 Edition 11
Applying life lessons to our ecumenical journey: Forgiveness
we hope to help fellow Another presentation on
congregants see how our the themes of creation
public worship, and redemption drew on
particularly the Eucharist, ancient Christian
shapes us to see God’s mjg © commentaries. Angela
glory in creation and to Christman, Ph.D., Loyola
care for the creation as University, Baltimore,
faithful stewards,” Bishop noted that for early
Whitaker said. church Fathers like St.
Augustine the human
Round 7 has convened activity of producing
liturgists and ethicists to bread, a gift of creation,
study caring for God’s mirrors the
creation. The fourth transformation of
session focused on worshipers at the
sacramentality, liturgical Eucharistic liturgy. She
memory, and reading the cited a fifth century
signs of the times as sermon of Augustine to
environmentally attuned the newly baptized of his
Christians. cathedral.

Monsignor Kevin W. “Afterward you came to
Irwin, dean of the School the water, and you were
of Theology at The moistened into dough,
Catholic University of and made into one lump,
“For the beauty of the earth...”
America, began the she said, citing
~ Post Oak Remnant Forest in Illinois
session by examining the Augustine. With the
fundamental language of application of the heat of
Eucharistic celebration. the Holy Spirit you were
ingenuity and it reveres food as
baked, and made into the Lord’s
the gift of the God of creation
“The very preparation of, taking, and redemption.” loaf of bread.”
blessing, breaking, and giving
[bread], imply work and Karen Westerfield-Tucker, Jesuit Father Drew
communal responsibility to Ph.D., Boston University, noted Christiansen, editor of America
share all of the earth’s strong Methodist (or “Weslyan”) magazine, looked at ecology’s
resources with all on the earth, agreement with Irwin’s paper, ethical considerations and
lest we rape the world and leave especially the concept that explored how recent popes
it devastated for the next liturgical symbols like water, fire have understood the “signs of
generation,” Irwin said. and wheat retain their essence the times” when reflecting on
as natural and manufactured such challenges as climate
Msgr. Irwin affirmed the Roman goods. change, deforestation, and
Catholic Church’s doctrine of impending conflicts over water
the Real Presence of Christ in “Precisely as symbols which resources. While popes have
the species of bread and wine occasion the act of blessing made use of both metaphysical
and said the manufacturing and God, these things become more and empirical methods in
eating of food belongs to the truly what they are natively — advancing Catholic social
heart of Christian worship. The bearers of God’s presence and teaching, they concur that
Eucharist rightly understood, he images of God’s own authentic human development
said, “reveres the means of goodness,” she said. cannot take place without
production in terms of human conscious attention to the
The ARK November 2011 page 7 Volume 22 Edition 11
Applying life lessons to our ecumenical journey: Forgiveness
Contact
Harvest of corn
information for
AAIF:
mjg ©
Are you interested in
meeting and talking to
other interchurch
families in your city
between AAIF Biennial
Conferences?
PLEASE SEE
WWW.AIFUSA.ORG
For membership
information
Dave and Carol Natella
are serving as the Co-
Chairs for AAIF
~ for information
about how to form a
environment. Pope Benedict Theology, Atlanta; and Sondra
XVI argues that ecological Wheeler, Ph.D., Wesley City chapter in your
responsibility and “human Theological Seminary, area or how to find the
ecology”—the defense of Washington. AAIF City Chapter
human life and dignity—are
closest to you, please
inseparable. 
contact the Natellas.

g
During the deliberations
dialogue members noted the Dues are due
Interchurch Families benefit
Gulf crisis and other Please See www.aifusa.org
from cross denominational
environmental issues in the for membership information -
dialogues and projects that The fiscal year runs from
headlines since they met at the
June 30 - July 1
we can work on together. We
end of 2009.
Other participants in the hope that these kinds of
dialogue included Edgardo dialogues and shared
Make plans now
Colon-Emeric, Ph.D., Duke mission work will continue
University School of Divinity; and that a greater sense of to attend the next
Rev. Betty Gamble, Acting understanding and
AAIF Biennial Conference
Ecumenical Officer for the community can be found.
UMC; Connie Lasher, Ph.D., to be held in 2012 - July
~ M.J. Glauber
visiting scholar at Santa Clara
13-15 in Collegeville, MN
University, California; Father
James Massa, Executive 
Director of the Secretariat for
Please see www.aifusa.org
Ecumenical and Interreligious
Affairs, USCCB; L. Edwards for on-going updates
Phillips, Ph.D., Emory

University’s Candler School of
The ARK November 2011 page 8 Volume 22 Edition 11
Applying life lessons to our ecumenical journey: Forgiveness
http://www.eni.ch/ By Cindy Wooden, Catholic press conference after the papal
The Ecumenical News News Service events, the Rev. Nikolaus
International reports: Schneider, chairman of the
Pope's trip to FREIBURG, Germany (CNS) Council of the Evangelical
Church in Germany, reiterated
Germany fails to
“Divided Christians can the position of his church that
meet ecumenical celebrate their common faith in when a Catholic and Lutheran
Christ with beautiful prayer are married they should be able
hopes
services, but that does not mean to receive Communion at each
they leave aside all their other’s church services.”
Berlin (ENInews)-- differences.”
Pope Benedict XVI's visit to Rev. Schneider responded by
Germany on 23 September The full story can be found at saying that the concrete faith
featured an ecumenical worship http://www.catholicnews.com/ lives of married couples, and not
service in the town of Erfurt that data/stories/cns/1103794.htm just "theological theories," should
was meant to reach out to be given greater consideration
German Protestants, but for “Swiss Cardinal Kurt Koch, by the Catholic Church.
many felt like a missed president of the Pontifical Protestants have been raising
opportunity. Council for Promoting Christian the issue with the Vatican for a
Unity, stated the Catholic long time, even to the point of
In his sermon, Benedict said that position that shared Communion perhaps causing irritation, he
"there was some talk of an as a regular practice is said.
'ecumenical gift' which was appropriate only once the
expected from this visit. “Here I Catholic and Protestant Cindy Wooden reported that
would only say that this reflects churches come to a fuller “The Lutheran leader also was
a political misreading of faith and agreement on serious asked about the hopes some
of ecumenism." theological questions, including Lutherans expressed that Pope
the meaning of the Eucharist.” Benedict would “rehabilitate”
Many were disappointed there Martin Luther or symbolically
was no indication that the pope “At a press conference after the withdraw his excommunication
intended to relax a ban on non- papal events, the Rev. Nikolaus during the trip, or at least by
Catholics taking communion in Schneider, chairman of the 2017 when they mark the 500th
Catholic churches, or recognize Council of the Evangelical anniversary of the Reformation.”
Protestant denominations as Church in Germany, reiterated
“true churches” as opposed to the Protestant position that when Cindy Wooden explained that
“ecclesiastical communities.” a Catholic and Protestant are “He said the pope’s speeches
married they should be able to that morning were, in effect, a re-
receive Communion at each evaluation of the person of

other's church services.” Martin Luther and his
praiseworthy goal of exploring
how sinful human beings can
Catholics, “The question affects tens of receive God’s grace.”
thousands of couples in a
Protestants unite in
country where the Catholic and “Rev. Schneider said he hoped
prayer, but Protestant churches each count the official Catholic position on
about 30 percent of the Luther would continue to
differences don't
population.” develop and would move toward
a re-evaluation of Luther’s
disappear
Cindy Wooden of the Catholic theology, not just his personal
News Service reported that “At a faith.”
The ARK November 2011 page 9 Volume 22 Edition 11
Applying life lessons to our ecumenical journey: Forgiveness
Cindy Wooden added that
“Cardinal Koch responded
Dogwood leaves: “For the beauty of
that reconciliation is “a two-
the earth” Autumn in the United
way street.”
States
“Both Catholics and
Lutherans have work to do in
evaluating what happened
during the Reformation and
what has happened since, he
said,” reported Cindy Wooden
in the Catholic Review.
Her full article can be found at:
http://www.catholicreview.org/
subpages/storyworldnew-
new.aspx?action=10673

AAIF members anticipate on-
going discussions regarding this
topic since it affects our lives on mjg ©
a regular basis as interchurch
families. At the 2006 AAIF
Conference in Virginia,
interchurch couples repeatedly
asked the USCCB
representative for the
opportunity to be able to take
communion together as a family.
AAIF took note of this request,
and we are continuing to seek
paths toward Christian Unity
that will foster understanding
and perhaps ultimately the over requests points out its On the other hand, it may be
possibility of regularly shared importance. that our interchurch families’
communion for interchurch presence may be considered as
couples. For interchurch Certainly we live this unity within an “Exception” - The aspect of
families, by virtue of who they/ our homes, and at every meal being a daily “Exception” may
we are, being able to share we share together, there we find need to be considered on behalf
communion as a family is Christ’s presence among us. of those faithful and devout
important. The fact that in 2006, Still, officially, we can’t take interchurch families.
Interchurch Families at the AAIF communion together regularly in
Biennial Conference repeatedly each other’s churches as a I pray that this can be resolved
asked for and about this family according to the existing soon and to the benefit of all the
possibility of the USCCB over all guidelines. faithful interchurch couples who
The ARK November 2011 page 10 Volume 22 Edition 11