Inauguration of Full Communion with the Moravian Church
February 10, 2011
Bethlehem, PA
On February 10, the Episcopal Church and the Moravian Church in America formally inaugurated their full communion relationship at a celebratory service in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Bonnie Anderson, together with the Rev. Dr. William McElveen, co-chair of the Southern Province of the Moravian Church, led the congregation in a new Liturgy for Christian Unity from the Moravian Book of Worship.
The Episcopal Church-Moravian Church dialogue met from 1999 to 2007 and produced "Finding Our Delight in the Lord". The proposal was approved at General Convention 2009 in Resolution A073 and by the Moravian Church's provincial synods in 2010.
The Moravian Church, which dates to 1457, has a long tradition of lay ministry. Its founder Jan Hus advocated for laypeople to receive both the bread and wine at communion, which was not the custom at the time. In the 18th century, the Moravians became the first denomination to send laypeople as missionaries. Learn more about the Moravian Church here.
The full story of the Celebration can be found at the Episcopal News Service.
Photo courtesy Mary Frances Schjonberg/Episcopal News Service
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