CHICAGO -- The Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) recommended that the 2005 ELCA Churchwide Assembly approve a relationship of Interim Sharing of the Eucharist between the ELCA and the United Methodist Church, according to a news release from the ELCA.
The Church Council is the ELCA's board of directors and serves as the legislative authority of the church between churchwide assemblies. The council met here April 9-11. Assemblies are held every other year; the next is Aug. 8-14, in Orlando, Fla.
The council's action follows endorsement of the proposal from the ELCA Conference of Bishops, which met in Dallas last month. The Conference of Bishops is an advisory body of the church, consisting of the ELCA's 65 synod bishops, presiding bishop and secretary.
With an interim commitment, congregations and judicatories of both churches will be encouraged to study theological documents, participate jointly in Holy Communion and explore new opportunities for shared ministry. Eventually, the two churches hope to achieve a relationship of full communion, which allows for clergy of one church body to serve in congregations of the other church, and creates opportunities for joint ministry.
