Episcopal Press and News
Lutheran-Episcopal Covenant Affirmed
Episcopal News Service. July 10, 1986 [86154]
BETHLEHEM, Pa. (DPS, July 10) -- An historic covenant between Episcopalians and Lutherans in Northeast Pennsylvania has received the official approval of both the Episcopal Diocese of Bethlehem and the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod of the Lutheran Church in America.
Ratified by the conventions of the synod last week and the diocese last December after several years of development by the ecumenical committees of both churches, the agreement sets forth eight principles which call upon the synod and diocese "to work together, wherever possible, in every aspect of ministry... in order to avoid unnecessary duplication, gain strength in shared resources, provide more effective ministry and gain visible expression to the unity we have in Christ."
The agreement commits the churches to "strive faithfully" for the following goals: mutual prayer -- both on the diocesan/synod and congregational levels; encouragement and support of similar covenants on the parish level; opportunities for joint worship, study and mission on the synodical/diocesan level; also on that level, for sharing and liaisons between committees, task forces, etc. with similar goals; the presence of "official observers" at each other's conventions and governing board meetings; a continued close working relationship between bishops, staffs and ecumenical committees; consideration of joint use of facilities; and a yearly review of the commitment through existing ecumenical committees.
The covenant is believed to be the first formal relationship of its kind between an Episcopal diocese and a Lutheran synod. The Lutheran convention which ratified the covenant also invited Bishop Mark Dyer of the Diocese of Bethlehem to serve as guest chaplain, making him the first to do so. (Eds. See DPS 86071)
Following the unanimous vote of the delegates last week, a vote accompanied by a standing ovation for Dyer and Lutheran Synod Bishop Harold Weiss, Weiss stated, "I want to have you know of the determination which Bishop Dyer and I have to make this something which will be more than words on paper and to make it something which will be a tribute to our churches, but more than that, something which will help make the mission and ministry of God apparent and real in our two communions."
"The Covenant commits us to a process," Dyer continued, "represents an historic moment of Church unity -- not simply because it is a 'first,' but because of the opportunity to experience and witness the unity it represents. I truly felt at the Synod convention a strong sense of common belief and commitment to Christ."
Dyer, who serves on the National Theological Committee for Unity between Lutherans and Episcopalians, told convention delegates that the agreement is "part of the worldwide effort between the Anglican and Lutheran churches" and that it is "very important to us to be a model here. We are the first to make this kind of covenant."
"We understand," he concluded, "that implementation will take a great deal of work, but work that is worthwhile because it is the will of God that we be one. It will be fulfilled only if we are faithful to the first principle of the Covenant. That is, if we pray... together... and for each other."