TEC & UMC dialogue on full communion

[graceandpeace]

http://www.episcopalcafe.com/tec-un...-communion-committee-has-issued-a-communique/

Looks like the possibility of full communion is in the future.

 

[Destiny2015]

As a Methodist attending an Episcopal church, I'd say that's pretty cool.

 

[Albion]

More or less, it's part of the "bigger picture" that TEC has been involved in since the start of COCU. If those ten or so churches aren't going to be able to finalize a merger soon, it wouldn't be a surprise if TEC made her own agreement with the participant that would arguably make for the most appropriate partner in a two-church start on it. That would certainly be UMC.

 

[SteveCaruso]

This isn't a "merger." It's merely entering into Communion.

 

[Albion]

This isn't a "merger." It's merely entering into Communion.

Yes, but quite often full communion is the first step towards union, and TEC has already expressed her willingness to enter into a merger involving UMC.

 

[SteveCaruso]

Yes, but quite often full communion is the first step towards merger, and TEC has already expressed her willingness to enter into a merger involving UMC.

There has been plenty of gossip and speculation in that direction.

And there have been a few individual congregations that have merged (with UMC and Lutheran).

But there are zero plans for a nationwide church merger.

 

[Albion]

There has been plenty of gossip and speculation in that direction..

It's much more than that. Formal talks have been going on for years.

 

[SteveCaruso]

It's much more than that. Formal talks have been going on for years.

For entering into full communion.

If you insist upon a falsehood I can only ask, "Pics or it didn't happen."

 

[Albion]

For entering into full communion.

Nope. Not just that.

I'll just put this off to you not being aware of it.

 

[SteveCaruso]

Nope. Not just that.

I'll just put this off to you not being aware of it.

No, I caught you in a fib.

Every report of every commission of the TEC is available, searchable online.

"Pics or it didn't happen."

 

[Albion]

Every report of every commission of the TEC is available, searchable online.

Then do it--and learn.

 

[SteveCaruso]

Then do it--and learn.

You assume I haven't.

 

[Padres1969]

Then do it--and learn.

Would you be able to provide any information backing what you're saying? I can find no evidence online that the ECUSA and UMC are in talks to do anything but enter into a full communion arrangement. I see no evidence in my searching thus far regarding anything close to a formal merger of the two churches.

Which shouldn't be surprising given that the two churches are not exactly close on certain issues such as Apostolic Succession, Liturgical matters, homosexual issues, etc...

 

[SteveCaruso]

There is no evidence.

Albion simply made it up to suit his narrative.

And since I've called him on it, I fear that I've only made him more entrenched.

 

[Arcangl86]

Would you be able to provide any information backing what you're saying? I can find no evidence online that the ECUSA and UMC are in talks to do anything but enter into a full communion arrangement. I see no evidence in my searching thus far regarding anything close to a formal merger of the two churches.

Which shouldn't be surprising given that the two churches are not exactly close on certain issues such as Apostolic Succession, Liturgical matters, homosexual issues, etc...

He's right. I need to remember where i read it though. IIRC it was a long time ago and the talks about an organic merger was back when it was still the Methodist Episcopal Church.

 

[Albion]

Would you be able to provide any information backing what you're saying? I can find no evidence online that the ECUSA and UMC are in talks to do anything but enter into a full communion arrangement.

That's what they are apparently doing now. Before the shouting and accusations started here, I called it something that could lead to a version of TEC's longstanding commitment and efforts towards a "merger" of 9 or 10 American Protestant denominations, including UMC and itself. Why a mention of this news that has been reported on by the religious and secular media for decades should cause an uproar I can't imagine.

 

[CanadianAnglican]

Will they need to suspend the Lambeth Quadrilateral again in order to enter into full communion. There are no comments in these articles on the substance of the dialogue but to my knowledge the Lambeth Quadrilateral is incompatible with the UMC, so like with ELCA, it will need to be suspended in order to enter into communion.

 

[Padres1969]

He's right. I need to remember where i read it though. IIRC it was a long time ago and the talks about an organic merger was back when it was still the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Well I mean that was half a century ago then. A lot has changed for the ECUSA and clearly for the Methodists in the intervening 50 years.

 

[Albion]

Well I mean that was half a century ago then. A lot has changed for the ECUSA and clearly for the Methodists in the intervening 50 years.

It STARTED a half-century ago. The work, with basically the same churches, goes on. See here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consultation_on_Church_Union
and follow the CUIC link as well.

 

[Padres1969]

It STARTED a half-century ago. The work, with basically the same churches, goes on. See here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consultation_on_Church_Union
and follow the CUIC link as well.

True but again I'm not seeing where they're working toward formal merger since the attempts to do so failed in 1972. Since then it's just been a means through which ecumenism is being practiced by the member churches.