Ecumenical and Interreligious Unity
Why is this important?
The ecumenical movement is the Church's response to Jesus' prayer for his disciples in John 17:21:
"that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me."
We join our prayers for unity with that of our Lord, and offer our endeavors toward unity to the Holy Spirit with the full understanding and motivation that the end purpose of ecumenism is evangelical:
"That the world may believe."
The Episcopal Church, “Handbook for Ecumenism”, March 2013
“Love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength; and, love your neighbor as yourselves.”
Mark 12:29-31
Episcopalians take this twofold mandate with utmost seriousness. It informs our Baptismal Covenant promise to
“strive for justice and peace among all people,” and to “respect the dignity of every human being.” (BCP 851)
Because we have so promised, it is an act of Christian faithfulness to be in openhearted relationship with people whose religions differ from ours.
The Episcopal Church, “Holding Difference Together: Episcopal Theological and Practical Guidelines for Interreligious Relations”, 10 November 2023
Organization
The Episcopal Church supports ecumenical and interreligious work promoting understanding among all God’s people and unity among the churches. The Office of Ecumenical and Interreligious Relations does this through supporting the advocacy commitments of this church; ecumenical dialogues; and by providing resources. The work is about unity in diversity and building bridges. Through it we seek flourishing and abundance for all, and so ecumenical and interreligious work is also anti-racist work, creation care work, and is committed to the liberation of all God’s people.
Top: National Workshop for Christian Unity (NWCU), annual meeting in Chicago in November 2024.
Bottom: Episcopal Ecumenical and Interreligious Officers at NWCU's annual meeting.
The Episcopal Church in Wyoming is connected to the work of The Office of Ecumenical and Interreligious Relations of The Episcopal Church through its diocesan Ecumenical and Interreligious Officer. The Ecumenical and Interreligious Officer stays connected through the Episcopal Diocesan Ecumenical and Interreligious Officer network to the work done by the Standing Commission on Ecumenical and Interreligious Relations on behalf of the General Convention of The Episcopal Church. The diocesan Ecumenical and Interreligious Officer is responsible for ecumenical and interreligious advocacy and sharing of such information within the diocese.
News
Resources
Living the Apostolic Faith Together Today
The year 2025 marks 1700 years since the historic First Ecumenical Council in Nicaea, a foundational moment for Christianity. This milestone reminds us of our shared faith in the triune God and calls us to reflect on unity in a divided world.
Key Highlights:
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Learn how the Nicene Creed became a cornerstone of Christian belief.
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Engage with the Sixth World Conference on Faith and Order, addressing “Where now for visible unity?”
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Celebrate a year of ecumenical events with the World Council of Churches and partners.
Learn More about Nicaea 2025
Care of Creation
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Full Communion with United Methodists
It is through the love of Jesus Christ and the work of many that, in May 2024, the United Methodist Church General Conference approved a resolution for full communion with The Episcopal Church, to become effective upon the approval of the same by the Episcopal General Convention in 2027.
Roughly a month later, The Episcopal Church approved Resolution A049 at its 2024 General Convention to “encourage The Episcopal Church-United Methodist Dialogue to continue its work towards full communion, including but not limited to such matters as a ‘Principles for the Orderly Exchange of Ministers’ document and a plan for liturgical recognition and reconciliation of orders.” The vote for full communion is planned for the 2027 General Convention in Phoenix.
With full communion comes the understanding that each denomination fully embraces the other as part of the universal Christian community and recognizes their sacraments as authentic; clergy from one can serve in the other Church. Churches so related remain canonically distinct and need not assent to all the doctrines, customs, and practices of each other.
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2025
January 18–25, 2025
Theme: “Do you believe?” (John 11:26)
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is a sacred time for Christians to come together in prayer, reflection, and action. This year's theme invites us to explore faith through the lens of Jesus’ question to Martha, “Do you believe?”
Highlights:
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Reflect on John 11:17-27, where Jesus declares, “I am the resurrection and the life.”
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Celebrate the 1700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea, where the Nicene Creed was affirmed as a symbol of Christian unity.
Resources:
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Download Daily Scripture and Prayer Guide
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Download Ecumenical Celebration of the Word of God
Join us in prayer as we seek the miracle of unity, inspired by faith and strengthened by the Holy Spirit.
Get Involved
To learn more or ask questions about ecumenical or interreligious relations in the Diocese of Wyoming, contact The Rev. Annemarie Delgado, Ecumenical and Interreligious Officer at: info@episcopalwy.org