wide collaboration in areas such as advocacy, ministry and education, McCoid said. “For example, Sarah Dreier serves in international advo- cacy as a staff person for both the ELCA and the Episcopal Church. Daniel Rift, a Presbyterian pastor, serves as director for the ELCA World Hunger and Disaster Appeal,” he added. Globally, there are even greater opportunities for working through interdenominational partnerships. “We often emphasize the three inter- dependent parts of this church as being congregations, synods and the churchwide expressions,” McCoid said. “We need to embrace that we are a part of the Lutheran World Federa- tion, a communion of churches. And we affirm in the Nicene Creed that we belong to ‘the one, holy, catholic and apostolic’ church. “If we don’t think beyond our- selves (ELCA congregations, synods and churchwide ministries), we will always be limited in vision for unity that Christ wills so that his followers may be one.”
Even as we build bridges and explore ways that we are similar, “when we come to interreligious tables, we need to bring our own clear understanding of our Lutheran faith,” McCoid added. “We can best participate with other religions when we bring our Lutheran gifts to tables of understanding.” What are those gifts? They are many, but most would agree that
the concept of grace is the greatest. Lutherans think and wrestle with ideas. Martin Luther, our founder, taught at the university level, after all. These days many of us feel called to build wider bridges. We find our- selves battling depictions in popular culture which tell us that all Muslims are terrorists or all Buddhists are detached and otherworldly. When we get to know people on an individual basis, we leave stereotypes behind and move our world forward to a peaceful future.
“Jewish, Islamic and Christian traditions emphasize love of our neighbors,” McCoid said. “Contrary to extremes in any faith tradition, the importance of loving neighbor must live and be nurtured in local settings.” Today many ELCA congrega- tions are part of communities that include Muslim mosques, Jewish synagogues, Hindu temples and a multitude of places of Christian worship. My congregation, Trinity Lutheran, Pembroke Pines, Fla., has provided overflow parking for the Muslim mosque down the street during holy days. This led to more conversation, which resulted in an invitation for our pastor to visit their community as a guest speaker and one for their mullah to speak with our Sunday school classes. I’m not sure where these introduc- tory beginnings will lead us, but I’m hopeful that we’ll continue in a fruit- ful friendship.
When I was in college, I didn’t
ELCA interreligious relations We want to hear your stories of engaging with people of other religions through an ELCA ministry. What was most challenging? What was most fulfilling? What were the most pressing theological questions and practi- cal concerns? We invite you to submit your stories (1,000 words or less) for possible inclusion in a collection of case studies of interreligious life in the ELCA. Photos, videos or illustrations are also welcome. Email them to
erinfo@elca.org or mail them to Kathryn Lohre, ELCA Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Relations, 8765 W. Higgins Rd., Chicago, IL 60631.
know any Jewish people, let alone any Muslims or Hindus. Now I’ve done yoga with my friend at her Hindu temple and listened to her talk about her faith afterward. I came away enriched by seeing a closer view of her faith.
Given our increasingly multicul- tural world, how can we not respond to opportunities to get to know our ecumenical and interreligious neigh- bors with joy and open hearts?
For “Tips for living ecumenically,” find this story at
www.thelutheran.org/feature/ january.
Gathering the Lutheran Community
in New York City Lodging for
Servant Trips Youth Ministry
Parish Getaways Clergy Meetings
Reflecting on the 9/11 Tragedy and always
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Convenient ●Comfortable ●Affordable Clergy Discounts
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123 East 15th Street New York, NY 10003
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An ELCA mission for seafarers and sojourners, with an 84-room guesthouse in the Union Square neighborhood that facilitates your congregational mission while you facilitate
ours. Collectively, God’s Work, Our Hands. January 2013 33
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