Conversation with Bishop Christopher Epting (Episcopal Church)

On Saturday, January 21st, I spoke at the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity event organized by the Focolare community in Chicago. The Focolare movement which began as a lay Catholic intentional community has spread throughout the world celebrated 50 years in the United States last year. I have been close to the Focolare community in Hyde Park during my years of pastoring Ellis Avenue Church, a relationship that became stronger while at the WCC, because of their work on ecumenism and interreligious dialogue.

Interestingly, the prayers for Christian unity took place at a synagogue — KAM Isaiah Israel Congregation, one of the oldest synagogues in Chicago. Among its attendees were Bishop Demetrios of Mokissos (Greek Orthodox Church), Bishop Christopher Epting (Episcopal Church) and Brother Jeffrey Gros (Catholic Theological Union) one of the foremost scholars in the Faith and Order movement.

In my presentation, I touched on some key issues of rethinking ecumenism for the 21st century: the question of wider ecumenism, how ecumenism should be engaged in the world, and key characteristics of Christian unity– humility, self-critical reflection and the spirituality of love. I  illustrated all these points with reference to the Focolare community and its spirituality.

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2.