Ecumenical Relations
Ecumenical Relations
The whole Christian community throughout the world is invited annually to pray in communion with the prayer of Jesus "that they all may be one." (John 17:21) The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity was first observed in 1908 and continues to be celebrated annually from January 18-25.
The quest for visible unity cannot be disassociated from the pursuit of justice. It is in this context that this year's theme was chosen in order to explore the biblical text of Deuteronomy 16:20. “Justice, Only Justice, You Shall Pursue.” This very strong call to justice forms the theme of this year's Week of Prayer for Christian Unity as it sets justice within the context of relationship established in the dialogue between Protestants, Catholics and Orthodox.
In 2019, this theme from Deuteronomy us seek justice and only justice in our quest for Christian Unity. Please join us as we pray for and strive together to answer the challenges placed before us in the movement towards the full visible unity of the Church.
Learn more about this year's theme in this article from the Presbyterian News Service.
Churches Uniting in Christ Issues a Statement on the Multiple Police and Civilian Shootings Across the U.S.A.
CUIC, OGA video explores race and the church
The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Office of the General Assembly has partnered with Churches Uniting in Christ (CUIC) to produce a video on race. Through the lens of the Michael Brown killing in Ferguson, Missouri, Race and the Church: A New Call explores how CUIC member churches, including the PC(USA), are responding to the current racial climate in the United States, and challenges them to look outside themselves as they work for justice in the future.
News & Statements
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Four churches celebrate 20th anniversary of full communion Formula of Agreement
Mar 30, 2017
Twenty years ago, four denominations, including the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), signed a “Formula of Agreement” establishing full communion between the four churches (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), ...
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Presbyterian ethicist draws inspiration from the global church
Mar 22, 2017
Sometimes global ecumenical bodies such as the World Council of Churches (WCC) seem far removed from the daily lives of Christians in the United States. But 49-year-old Presbyterian minister Rebecca ...
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Young Presbyterian minister finds ecumenical work ‘life-changing’
Mar 15, 2017
Fresh out of college, Everdith (Evie) Landrau embarked on her first international experience—a month in Geneva. The visit was also her first exposure to a global ecumenical body—the World Council ...
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Young ecumenical leader spearheads effort to ban nuclear weapons
Mar 8, 2017
A Google search while gathering material for her master’s thesis is what first connected Emily Welty with the World Council of Churches (WCC). With a Christian faith rooted in both ...
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Church is called to “radical discipleship” in the face of “empire,” WCC visitors tell PC(USA) leaders
Jan 20, 2017
Early Christians spread the gospel in the shadow of the Roman empire—and Christians today are called to meet a resurgence of fascism and racism with something more powerful: the good ...
The Office of Ecumenical Relations carries out the ecumenical policy of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), which includes participation in ecumenical agencies and councils, ecumenical dialogue, and development of resources. This office also serves as staff for the General Assembly Committee on Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations.