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H-3 Ecumenical and Interfaith Ministries Report

To the First Presidency and the World Conference:

The Ecumenical and Interfaith Ministries Team has dedicated the last three years to creating and strengthening new ecumenical and interfaith relationships.
The ecumenical and interfaith officer and some key leaders have represented Community of Christ on ecumenical and interfaith boards, commissions, and committees, developing relationships with many organizations that have goals and principles in alignment with Community of Christ.

With our denominational emphasis on identity, mission, and message, the Ecumenical and Interfaith Team has helped to make our church more widely known and understood in ecumenical and interfaith groups. National and international news and updates have been provided to the World Church Leadership Council, field ministers, and members by sharing information, offering advice and encouragement, and identifying ways for individuals and groups to be involved in ecumenical and interfaith activities.

Ecumenical and Interfaith Connections during this 2007–2010 inter-Conference period include:

• National Council of Churches: Community of Christ has been associated with the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA through its Commissions. We have membership on the Justice, Faith and Order, and Eco Justice Commissions. Through specific efforts over the last five to ten years, our patience and faithfulness have brought us to a place of respect and acknowledged support for our becoming full members of the NCC. It is committed to working on behalf of peace and justice, poverty and hunger, women’s rights, education, and alternatives to war.

• World Council of Churches: The ecumenical and interfaith officer has participated in the US Conference meetings for WCC and formed relationships with the international WCC. The World Council of Churches stands as a beacon of hope for many. It works with governments and faith leaders to bring the message of peace and justice, and it works in a variety of ways to help in the needs of the world. It offers a strong voice against war and violence and for peace. It offers opportunities for young adults to work and learn about peacemaking in the international setting.

• Church Women United: CWU was organized 68 years ago to provide a women’s voice on issues impacting lives and families. In 1976 President Wallace B. Smith traveled with a small delegation of women to address the CWU National Board and to seek membership in the organization. Since that year many Community of Christ women have been involved locally, regionally, and nationally in the work and ministry of this organization. Gail Mengel served as national president from 2004–2008. CWU has been a multi denominational, racially diverse body since its conception, which is extraordinary. CWU members speak and work for peace and justice and are involved in social issues that impact the US society, and they work on issues affecting women and children around the world.

• FaithTrust Institute: Community of Christ has maintained a long relationship with the institute. The founder, Marie Fortune, received our International Peace Award in 1998. Gail Mengel has served as an elected board member of FaithTrust since 2005. The FaithTrust Institute is one of the premier organizations that bring awareness to and work on behalf of ending ministerial misconduct, domestic violence, and human trafficking. They provide classes for seminaries and universities and training and resources for professionals, ministers, and others.

• Bread for the World: Community of Christ has supported Bread for many years. Wallace B. Smith served as a member of its national board for several years. The ecumenical and interfaith officer represented the church at Bread’s thirty-fifth-anniversary celebration and meeting. Bread is influential in working with the US Congress on issues of hunger and poverty, and it works internationally.

• Christian Churches Together: The president and interfaith officer have represented the church at meetings of CCT since 2004. We have worked to form relationships and to bring a clearer understanding of the church. In 2008 CCT sent representatives to visit our headquarters and to meet with some of our leadership. Following that meeting, the representatives recommended us for membership in CCT, but for this time, we remain supportive observers.

• Rural Church Network: After the staff position for Rural Church Ministries was eliminated the ecumenical officer has attended meetings of the Network. Community of Christ hosted its annual meeting in 2008, and many said how pleased they were to learn more about our denomination. The Network is an active group through e-mail and conference calls. It works with seminaries, universities, and ministers in rural areas.

• Church World Service: Community of Christ has partnered with CWS through the years. CWS works with partners to eradicate hunger and poverty and to promote peace and justice around the world. Many members of the church are active in the CWS network of local and global caring through participation in CROP Hunger Walk, the Blankets + program, and the CWS Kits program. CWS responds to emergencies in the US and around the world. It nurtures development in the grassroots with seeds, tools, and homegrown strategies. It helps refugees to return home when possible and to find other viable options. It speaks in partnership on issues that make a difference in the lives of hungry people. It works for food, security, and water for all so that parents can feed their families and that all people can have water for drinking, household needs, and farming.

• United Nations: Many Community of Christ women became connected with UNICEF and women’s issues that long held commitments of the UN.

• Breakthrough: The Women, Faith, and Development Summit to End Global Poverty and Leadership Council. The ecumenical officer participated in this summit at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., in April 2008 and was invited to be part of a leadership council to determine future programs and initiatives.

• Religions for Peace: The ecumenical officer participated in the world’s largest and most-representative multi-religious coalition, Religions for Peace. In addition to special gatherings, e-mails, and conference calls, this organization is dedicated to gender equality, environmental issues, and peacemaking.

• Parliament of World Religions: Community of Christ has sent representatives to the international gatherings sponsored by the Parliament, and members are encouraged to participate as they are able. The interfaith movement inspired by the Parliament continues to inspire a vision of a world in which the followers of different faiths are able not merely to engage with one another in a spirit of tolerance and respect, but to collaborate in contributing to the advancement of a peaceful society.

• Council on Foreign Relations: The ecumenical officer was invited to participate in the Religion and Foreign Policy Summer Workshop 2009 and the monthly conference calls and e-mail exchanges.

• Children’s Defense Fund: The ecumenical officer attended meetings sponsored by CDF and participated in conference calls and e-mail exchanges. Information and updates from CDF have been forwarded to the World Church Leadership Council and for distribution to members.

• Sojourners/Call to Renewal: Community of Christ was an early supporter of Call and provided a staff member for its office in Washington for several years. Gail Mengel served on a committee to write the draft Covenant for a New America and to determine strategies for the Covenant Campaign. Community of Christ is an endorsing denomination for the Covenant. Sojourners’ commitment is to end poverty in the US and around the world. It always has worked with faith groups.

• Gathering for Peace 2009: Three Community of Christ representatives attended the Gathering, sponsored by the historic peace churches: Quaker, Mennonite, and Church of the Brethren. Many mainline denominations were invited to send delegates. Discerning God’s Call, the Gathering identified twenty-one action areas. Participants were encouraged to share the information with their faith groups. A Web site recently was established for sharing peace and continuing communication and collaboration.

• Greater Kansas City Interfaith Council: Members who live in the Kansas City area have participated in programs and activities sponsored by the council. Community of Christ is an official supporter, and the ecumenical and interfaith officer serves as a faith advisor, representing our church. We encourage members everywhere to become active with interfaith groups.

• Ecumenical Women’s Gathering: Sponsored by Church Women United in June 2008, it was held at Community of Christ International Headquarters. It was a wonderful way to introduce our denomination to twenty denominations and nonprofit organizations, as well as individuals who did not know our denomination before the event.

Gail E. Mengel
Ecumenical and Interfaith Officer