In 1997 the General Convention established an official Episcopal-Moravian dialogue with the Moravian Church in America. A steering committee initiated the process; members were The Rev. Canon David L. Veal, chair; Dr. Alda Marsh Morgan; the Rev. Robert H. Crewdson; and the Rev. Jane B. Teter. The steering committee met once, in the summer of 1999, with a Moravian counterpart group, and prepared a report for SCER suggesting goals, personnel and a timetable for the dialogue. The goals derived from the 1997 General Convention resolution establishing the dialogue: “…to reaffirm those things we hold in common, to explore the possibilities of full communion, mutual recognition of ministries, and shared mission and evangelism.”
At its initial meeting, the dialogue established its goals: “The goal of our dialogue is common Christian mission through full communion in faith, life and witness.” This dialogue has met three times, and has produced an interim eucharistic sharing proposal. The Provincial Synods of the Moravian Church in America approved this proposal in 2002, and the 2003 General Convention will vote on a similar proposal. The goal is still full communion and recognition of ministries by 2006.
The ELCA has been in Full Communion with the Presbyterian Church USA since 1997 and the Moravian Church since 1999, the same year it entered into a Full Communion Relationship with the Episcopal Church. For more information, see the ELCA Full Communion Relationships webpage.
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