RESOURCING THE CHURCH FOR ECUMENICAL MINISTRy A ...

CALL TO UNITY / Resourcing the Church for
Ecumenical Ministry is published by the Council
on Christian Unity of the Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ), P.0. Box 1986, Indianapolis,
Indiana 46206. Fax number: (317) 713-
2588.
Annual subscription $10.00 in the USA; all
other countries $15.00; single copies $6.50;
student subscriptions $5.00.
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Editor: ................................... Robert K. Welsh
Admin. Assistant: ......................Donna Russell
ISSN 1545-7311
F r o m t h e E d i t o r
The Journey Continues . . .
This year marks the 100th Anniversary of the founding of the
Council on Christian Unity.
One of the most significant events planned as part of our year-long
celebration was the Joe Joe A. A. and and and Nancy Nancy V VVaughn
V aughn Stalcup Stalcup Stalcup “2nd “2nd Century
Century
Visioning Visioning Conference Conference on on Christian Christian Unity” Unity” that took place in St. Louis,
Missouri on June 14-17, 2010, where forty Disciples came
together to take an honest look at the current state of the
ecumenical movement, and to think together about the future of
our church’s witness to unity, wholeness and reconciliation in our
fragmented society and world.
This issue of Call to Unity brings together the presentations offered
during this conference, along with a final report on the meeting
that summarizes a series of key affirmations, new insights, and
specific recommendations. This issue also includes two important
reflections: first, the presentation by Peter Morgan to the 100th
Anniversary Celebration Dinner on April 27, where we honored
Dr. Paul A. Crow, Jr., as “President Emeritus” of the Council on
Christian Unity; and, second, an article by Tom Best, one of the
participants in the 2nd Century Visioning Conference, reflecting
on the meaning and impact of this event for Disciples—and
perhaps for the wider ecumenical movement.
In this editorial I want to express my personal word of sincere
thanks and deep appreciation to Joe and Nancy Stalcup for their
support to the Council on Christian Unity that enabled this
second “Visioning Conference” to take place and this issue of Call
to Unity to be published. Joe and Nancy represent the best of our
tradition as Disciples of Christ in their commitment to a vision of
unity that embraces all peoples and all faiths.
As the Conference participants took a look back over the past 100
years and the current challenges to our work and programming,
our focus was soon drawn to the future—a vision built upon the
calling of one God, one mission, one church, and one world. And
there, we discovered anew our identity as Disciples of Christ as a
people committed to unity and wholeness: claimed in our
baptism; celebrated at the Lord’s Table; and made visible in our
witness and worship, our mission and service to all God’s people
and the whole of creation.
It’s a great adventure that calls us into the very heart of God.
Robert K. Welsh