Ecumenical Relations
Ecumenical Diocesan Ecumenical and Interreligious Officer
The Rev. Jean McCarthy
The group formerly known as EDEO changed its name to EDEIO (Ecumenical Diocesan Ecumenical and Interreligious Officers) at its National Workshop April 4-7, 2005 in New Orleans, LA. The work of the EDEIO has rightly broadened its name to reflect extending its vision to humble dialogue with other faith communities for the purpose of mutual understanding, common support and promotion of justice. The National Workshop is opportunity for dialogue and strengthening of bonds in ecumenical and interreligious endeavors.
The work of the Joint Commission of the three ELCA Lutheran Synods in Iowa and the Episcopal Diocese of Iowa continues. The focus of these meetings is three-fold: 1) Getting to know one another; 2) Theological dialogue; and 3) Shared ministry. Opportunities for dialogue with other denominations continue, especially with the Methodists. The Methodist Church of Great Britain and the Church of England have issued a common statement of their formal conversations, “An Anglican-Methodist Covenant.”
Ecumenical and Interreligious work is done on two fronts: formal dialogue at the denominational level and the local level, always in the particular, developing understanding, appreciation of diversity, and joining in God’s work in the world.
