from the Office of Ecumenism – Deacon Dick Cronican

Reminder of Week of Prayer for Christian Unity : The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity will begin on January 18, 2007 and ends on the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul on January25th. This year's theme is "Open Our Ears and Loosen Our Tongues" (Mark 7:31-37). This year's Southwest Minnesota Celebration of Unity is being hosted by the Southwest Minnesota Synod of the ELCA. ELCA Bishop John Anderson will be the host as we gather in prayer at First Lutheran Church in Marshall, January 21, 2007 at 7:00 pm. This year's liturgy will include combined choirs from the Marshall area churches conducted by Russell P. Svenningsen, Director of the Southwest Minnesota State University Concert Choir and nationally recognized soloist. All Parishes and Area Faith Communities are encouraged to attend the liturgy in Marshall and to sponsor local prayer services. Samples of materials parishes can use plus posters are in this week’s parish mailing. Materials can also be ordered online at http://www.geii.org/.

The Minnesota Heads of Communion, a statewide ecumenical group, is sponsoring an event during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity called "A Conversation Among Christians". It will take place on January 25, 2007 from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM at Grace Church of Eden Prairie. All Pastoral Leaders are invited to attend. The purpose of the meeting is to work to build bridges with those other Christians from whom we are separated. It’s a major ecumenical gathering in Minnesota and involves almost all denominations and fellowships with churches in Minnesota. Archbishop Flynn will lead the morning panel discussion, which will address the topic: “What Do We Have in Common?” District Executives and Bishops from five other denominations will participate in the panel discussion. Then there will be breakout discussions in small groups on the same topic. After lunch Bishop Peter Strommen, Northeastern Minnesota Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, will lead a panel, which will address the topic: “What would Minnesota look like twenty years from now if we worked together?” The other five panelists will be Bishops and Executives from the five other denominational groups. The panel discussion will then be followed by small group discussions. Please contact Deacon Cronican (507-336-2505) if you wish to attend and he will arrange for your registration.