EPISCOPAL-METHODIST FULL COMMUNION UPDATE

Where is the knowledge we have lost in information? ~ T.S. Eliot
In today’s world, information seems to be coming at us from the proverbial fire hose, with news, email, texts, and messages piling up faster than we can manage. In this flurry of information a common notation has surfaced in written communication:
‘too long, didn’t read’ … followed by a summary of that communication …

Many of us just don’t have the time to pay attention to everything and still be responsive to our life, our mission, and our call … and so I hope provide a brief update as to the status of the journey toward Full Communion between the Episcopal and United Methodist denominations in Christ’s Church.

Since the 1940s Methodists and Episcopalians in the United States have had ecumenical conversations though it wasn’t until 2002 that the United Methodist-Episcopal Church Dialogue began under endorsement of the 2000 General Convention. The 2006 General approved interim Eucharistic sharing with the United Methodist Church, but that is a far from “full communion.”

In 2018, the Dialogue Committee released a lengthy Proposal for Full Communion for endorsement and acceptance by the General Convention (Episcopal) and General Conference (United Methodist). The anticipated acceptance of this agreement by our respective national gatherings in 2020/21 was delayed due to the disheartening schism occurring in the United Methodist Church over LGBTQ+ inclusion. At the 2024 UMC General Conference the proposal for Full Communion was approved, and it will be presented for approval at the 2027 General Convention of the Episcopal Church in Phoenix.

So what exactly does “Full Communion” means to our life, work, and worship in our church? Answering that fully is more than can be answered in this brief article, but suffice it to say that it allows for clergy to serve within either denomination, with permission of the bishops of both denominations, similar to what is already happening in our relationship with the ELCA Lutheran Church. It is NOT a merger in any way, with the United Methodist and Episcopal churches each retaining our full autonomy, while benefiting each other’s mission. It is possible that this could result in joint congregations, but that is beyond anything the “Full Communion” agreement specifies.

In coming weeks I will be sharing more details, but in the meantime if you want to learn more, here is a summary: “5 Things to Know About the Full Communion Proposal”

And for those who want to dig deeper, take a look at: CLICK HERE

Tom Broad
Diocesan Ecumenical and Interfaith Officer