Anglican-Reformed Dialogue, sponsored by the World Alliance of Reformed Churches and the Anglican Consultative Council, studies obstacles which have hindered Anglican-Reformed unity propo-sals. Their report was published in God's Reign and Our Unity: The Report of the Anglican-Reformed International Commission 1981-1984. It was intended to promote fresh discussions in light of the failure of church union plans in many parts of the world. The 1985 General Convention asked the Standing Commission on Ecumenical Relations to arrange a study of the report and prepare a response. The 1991 General Convention transmitted the Standing Commission's response to the ACC as the official response of the Episcopal Church (Blue Book, 1991, p. 76, Bulletin 104).
In the United states, earlier Episcopal-Presbyterian Church conversations were unsuccessful, and since the 1960's discussions with the Presbyterian Church and the United Church of Christ have taken place within the Consultation on Church Union. The other North American member churches of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches are: Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Hungarian Reformed Church in America, Lithuanian Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America, Reformed Church in America, Korean Presbyterian Church in America, and Second Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
Dialogue with the Presbyterian Church, USA
Following the Plenary and Executive Committee actions, the SCER further discussed the advisability of engaging in a formal dialogue with the Presbyterian Church USA, particularly focused on the historic episcopate. The SCER agreed to bring this resolution calling for a dialogue authorized by the General Convention. The 2000 General Convention authorized the first formal bilateral dialogue in almost fifty years between the PCUSA and the Episcopal Church. In addition CUIC will focus directly on the question of reconciliation of ministries, beginning with its inaugural meeting in January of 2002. The Presbyterian-Episcopal dialogue met for the first time in June, 2002, and discussed understandings of baptismal ministry, ordained ministry, and the how the ministry of oversight is expressed in our traditions.
