Our full communion relationships began with The Waterloo Declaration in 2001 when we Lutherans in the Evangelical Church in Canada made a mutual affirmation with the Anglican Church of Canada to travel together in full communion. Later that expanded to include the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the Episcopal Church.
At Assembly 2023, the circle expanded again to include Moravians in Canada and the United States, and it is expected to continue to expand as we explore, talk and learn from one another.
In this issue, Rev. Canon Dr. Scott Sharman helps us to appreciate the possibilities that this new relationship offers to those of us who are now in full communion. We also learn a lot about these Moravians that most of us never knew; offering us new insights and opportunities to experience and share the gospel more fully.
The motto that is at the heart of Moravian tradition says, “in essentials unity; in non-essentials liberty; in all things love.”
What a wonderful vision about pursuing relationship at a time when it is so tempting to stop trying to have conversations with people whose views and practices seem so at odds with our own.
We Lutherans often joke that coffee time is the third sacrament in our church. While watching Assembly 2023 on the Sunday morning livestream, I discovered how we might expand some of those times into something even richer.
The Moravians have a long-established practice of the Lovefeast. It’s a simple meal filled with singing and music that encourages social barriers to disappear and strengthens the spirit of unity and goodwill among all people. Just watching the fun and fellowship blossom on my computer made me want us to add the Lovefeast to our church life, too.
At a time when we are beginning to realize that we Lutherans are a small minority among the more than 40 million of us who call ourselves Canadians, this small group of Christians known as Moravians are helping us to learn not to underestimate the influence of small things in God’s hands.
GLIMPSES
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Colombia has much to teach us about how to be a small church today (p. 20).
In challenging times there are ways to be hopeful and helpful (p. 15).
We’re still learning to talk about our mental health. The day I yelled at God broadens our education (p. 9)
Voices from Scripture (p. 31) continues to deepen our understanding of the role of women in the early Church as modern scholars revisit some of those passages.
Kenn Ward,
Editor
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