Resources for Ecumenical and Interreligious Understanding

Sources of Ecumenical Information

There are many agencies which can supply materials to help you learn about the ecumenical movement and about personnel involved in the movement.  We offer here a select list.

• The Graymoor Ecumenical & Interreligious Institute (GEII), which prepares these resources for the Week of Prayer, is an information and service organization in the Roman Catholic Church serving the ecumenical movement and interreligious affairs on the local, regional, national and international levels.
Contact:
Graymoor Ecumenical & Interreligious Institute, 
475 Riverside Drive Riverside Drive, Room 1960
New York, NY  10115
Tel 212-870-2330   Fax 212-870-2001
Email lmnygeii@aol.com  Website www.geii.org

• The World Council of Churches (WCC) is a fellowship of more than 330 churches of the Protestant, Anglican, Orthodox and Old Catholic traditions.  These churches gather for study, witness, service and the advancement of unity.  The WCC includes in its membership churches in more than 100 countries.  The WCC’s US Office offers general interpretive materials in print and video, a publications catalog/book list and periodicals. Contact:
World Council of Churches US Office
475 Riverside Drive Riverside Drive, Room 1371
New York, NY 10115
Tel 212-870-2529   Fax 212-870-2528
Email usa@wcc-coe.org  Website www.wcc.org

• The National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA (NCCCUSA) is a community of more than 350 Protestant, Anglican and Orthodox churches that makes a common witness through the council and that works together to serve the churches and the world.  Contact:
NCC Communication Department
475 Riverside Drive Riverside Drive, Room 880
New York, NY 10115
Tel 212-870-2227   Fax 212-870-2030
Email nccc_usa@ncccusa.org  Website www.ncccusa.org

• Councils of churches or ecumenical/interfaith agencies of your city, county, or state may be able to supply brochures, displays or other resources about their work.  Listings for these organizations appear in the NCC’s Yearbook of American & Canadian Churches.  Local libraries and church offices may carry this reference.  It can also be ordered from the NCC. 
 Email yearbook@ncccusa.org

• Your own church’s regional, judicatory or national ecumenical officer or ecumenical commission can give you information on the ecumenical participation of your denomination.

• The National Association of Ecumenical and Interreligious Staff (NAEIS) is a professional organization for ecumenical and interreligious leaders with membership across the nation.  Retired, active and inactive ecumenical professionals available as speakers or resource persons can be identified.  Contact:
National Association of Ecumenical and Interreligious Staff
475 Riverside Drive Riverside Drive, Room 870
New York, NY  10115
 Tel 212-870-2333   Fax 212-870-2817
Email  naeis@ncccusa.org

• Glenmary Research Center serves a wide variety of church bodies and offers some useful tools in understanding the religious affiliations and trends of church membership in the United States.  Contact:
Glenmary Research Center
1312 Fifth Avenue
North, Nashville, TN 37208
Tel 615-256-1905   Fax  615-256-1902 
Email ksanchagrin@mhc.edu  Website www.glenmary.org/grc

• Church Women United (CWU) is an ecumenical movement providing Christian women with programs and channels of involvement in church, civic, national and international affairs.  For  interpretive material, including information on CWU program priorities, the World Day of Prayer and other celebrations, Contact:
Church Women United
475 Riverside Drive Riverside Drive, Room 1626
New York, NY  10115
 Tel 1-800-298-5551; 212-870-2347   Fax 212-870-2338.
Email  cwu@churchwomen.org  Website www.churchwomen.org

• Churches Uniting in Christ (CUIC) is an ecumenical movement of nine American Christian communions authorized to explore the formation of a new full fellowship of churches “truly catholic, truly evangelical and truly reformed”.  The child of the Consultation on Church Union (COCU), Churches Uniting in Christ succeeded COCU and came into being in January 2002.  CUIC offers a video, newsletter and other publications on its work, including information on its inauguration and goals for the present time.  Contact:
Churches Uniting in Christ
700 Prospect Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44115-1100
Tel 216-736-3294   Fax 216-736-3296
Email cuic@ucc.org  Website www.cuicinfo.org

Printed Resources For Ecumenical and Interreligious Understanding

Here is a select list of recent publications.  We present them in alphabetical order by title or subject, followed by author/editor and information about obtaining copies.

Books, Pamphlets, Articles

Bridging Our Faiths.  Interreligious Council of San Diego.  Adherents of six religious faiths answer in their own words a set of questions they posed to each other on core beliefs and understandings,  practices and holidays.  For each faith also, a glossary of terms and reading list.  Available from:
Paulist Press
997 MacArthur Boulevard
Mahwah, NJ  07430 
Tel 1-800-218-1903; 201-825-7300   Fax 1-800-836-3161 
Email info@paulistpress.com  Website www.paulistpress.com   Paper $8.95.

Councils of Churches and the Ecumenical Vision.  2000.  Diane Kessler and Michael Kinnamon.,  A defining reflection.  Available from:
World Council of Churches Distribution Center
International Specialized Book Services
920 NE 58th Ave. Suite 300
Portland OR  97213
Tel 1-800-944-6190  Fax 503-280-8832
Email orders@isbs.com Website  www.isbscatalog.com

“Ecumenical Accountability”.  Massachusetts Council of Churches.  Guidelines for developing ecumenical accountability in the areas of worship, pastoral care, protocol, evangelism, and social witness.  Available from:
Massachusetts Council of Churches
14 Beacon Street, Room 416
Boston, MA  02108
Tel 617-523-2771   Fax 617-523-1483
Email council@masscouncilofchurches.org  Website  www.masscouncilofchurches.org
One copy $2.00; bulk rates have a nominal cost.

The Ecumenical Gift Exchange.  1998.  Margaret O’Gara.  Articulate reflection on significant topics by an ecumenical Roman Catholic theologian, teacher and dialogue participant out of her rich involvement with the ecumenical movement.  Available from:
Liturgical Press
St. John’s Abbey
PO Box 7500
Collegeville, MN  56321
Tel 1-800-858-5450   Fax 1-800-455-5899
Email sales@litpress.org  Website www.litpress.org  Paper $14.95.

Ecumenism 101: A Handbook about the Ecumenical Movement. 1997.  Alton M. Motter.  An engaging 80-page primer on ecumenism - its many facets, its history and development - written by a seasoned ecumenist in question and answer format.  Available from:
Forward Movement Publications
412 Sycamore Street
Cincinnati, OH  45202
Tel 1-800-543-1813  Fax 513-721-0729
Email orders@forwarddaybyday.com  Website  www.forwardmovement.org
Paper $6.95 (plus $1.90 shipping & handling).

Encounters of Unity: Sharing Faith, Prayer and Life. 1995.  G. R.  Evans, Lorelei F. Fuchs, SA and Diane C. Kessler, eds.  Autobiographical reflections by ecumenical actors and leaders in varied arenas around the world.  Available from:
Morehouse Publishing
PO Box 1321
Harrisburg, PA  17105
Tel 1-800-877-0012   Fax 717-541-8128
Email morehouse@morehousegroup.com  Website www.morehousegroup.com  Paper  $20.95.

Ending Racism in the Church.  1998.  Susan E. Davies and Sr. Paul Teresa Hennessee, SA, eds.  Essays and case studies developed by a U.S. Faith and Order study group in support of the churches’ common commitment to eradicating racism in Christian circles and in society.  Available from:
United Church Press
700 Prospect Avenue East
Cleveland, OH  44115
Tel 1-800-537-3394   Fax  216-726-2206
Website www.@ucc.org  Paper $12.95.

For the Conversion of the Churches. 1993.  Groupe des Dombes.  A challenge to the divided churches to recognize that their identity is grounded in a continual conversion and that it is on this basis that their unity will be realized.  Available from:
World Council of Churches Distribution Center
International Specialized Book Services
920 NE 58th Ave. Suite 300
Portland OR  97213
Tel 1-800-944-6190   Fax 503-280-8832
Email orders@isbs.com Website  www.isbscatalog.com  Paper $10.90.

Grounds for Understanding: Ecumenical Resources for Responses to Pluralism.  1998.  Mark S. Heim, ed.  Exploring the distinctly Christian character of the call to interreligious dialogue, writers from eleven different Christian traditions share their confession’s characteristic approaches to the challenges and possibilities raised by religious pluralism, revealing a richness of  resources for Christian response to religious diversity.  Available from:
Eerdmans Publishing Company
255 Jefferson Avenue SE
Grand Rapids, MI  49503
Tel 1-800-253-7521   Fax 616-459-6540
Email sales@eerdmans.com  Website www.eerdmans.com   Paper $30.00.

Guidelines for Ecumenical Dialogue on Church-Dividing Issues. 1998.  Developed by the Christian Conference of Connecticut and its Task Force on Church Dividing Issues, adaptable in any church setting and by ecumenical groups particularly.  Available from:
Christian Conference of Connecticut
60 Lorraine Street
Hartford, CT  06105
Tel 860-236-4281   Fax 860-236-9977
Email ssidorak@aol.com  Website www.christconn.org  Paper $2.00.

Handbook for Interreligious Dialogue.  Prepared by the Faiths in the World Committee and National Association of Diocesan Ecumenical Officers (NADEO).  Includes a general description of many religious traditions, the Roman Catholic document “The Attitude of the Church Towards the Followers of Other Religions”,  suggestions for dialogue and further reading.  Available from:
Silver Burdett & Ginn
 4350 Equity Drive
PO Box 2649
Columbus, OH 43216
Tel 1-800-848-9500   Fax 1-800-841-8939.

How to be a Perfect Stranger: A Guide to Etiquette in Other People’s Religious Ceremonies.  1997.  What to expect at the worship services, initiation rituals, wedding ceremonies and funerals of different faith groups,  A careful, useful resource.  Volume 1 covers twenty faith groups in the US, and Volume 2, seventeen more.  Order from:
Jewish Lights Publishing
Sunset Farms Offices
PO Box 237
Woodstock, VT  05091
Tel 1-800-962-4544; 802-457-4000   Fax 802-457-4004
Email yirbu@yirbu.com   Website www.yirbu.com.  Paper $24.95 per volume.

Introduction to Ecumenism.  1998.  Jeffrey  Gros, FSC,  Eamon McManus and Ann Riggs.  An entry into ecumenical life and thought.  Enlightenment on the history, current shape and critical developments in the one ecumenical movement.  Available from:
Paulist Press
997 MacArthur Boulevard
Mahwah, NJ  07430
Tel 1-800-218-1903; 201-825-7300  Fax 1-800-836-3161
Email info@paulistpress.com  Website www.paulistpress.com  Paper $16.95.

Latino-Hispanic Americans and the Ecumenical Movement: Select Articles. Carlos F. Cardoza Orlandi, “‘Now you see it, Now you don’t’: Mission and Ecumenism in a Hispanic/Latino Perspective”, Theology Today 54 (Jan 1998) 499-566; Daisy Machado, “Ecumenism in the Barrio”, Journal of Hispanic/Latino Theology 3 (Nov 1995) 6-13; Carmelo Alvarez, “Ecumenism in Transition through Spanish Eyes”, Journal of Hispanic/Latino Theology 4 (Nov 1996) 60-74; Ricardo Ramirez, “The Challenge of Ecumenism to Hispanic Christians”, Ecumenical Trends 21:8(1992) 117, 128-131; “Together in Pilgrimage Towards the 3rd Millennium: Ecumenical Focus on the Hispanic Community”, Ecumenical Trends 24:6 (1996) 81-82, 91-96.

The Multifaith Calendar. This stunning 12-month calendar notes Aboriginal, Bahà’ì, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Islamic, Jain, Jewish, Sikh, Unitarian, Wicca and Zoroastrian festivals and holy days. Available from:
Multifaith Calendar Committee
33 Arrowwood Place
Port Moody, BC, Canada V3H 4J1
Tel & Fax 604-469-1164
Email cpander@wkpowerlink.com or david_spence@nwnet.org

Out of the Ashes: Burned Churches and the Community of Faith. 1997. Norman A. Hjelm. The story of the burnings and the response of the NCCC/USA and its member churches, with theological and social reflections. Available from:
Thomas Nelson Publishers
501 Nelson Place
Nashville, TN 37214
Tel 1-800-251-4000; 615-889-900   Fax  615-902-1287
Email publicity@thomasnelson.com  Website www.thomasnelson.com  Paper $9.99.

Practicing Ecumenism. How to encourage local ecumenism: intercessory prayers for unity, suggestions for interchurch cooperation, suggestions for worship and ecumenical creativity, ecumenical articles and study information. For information, subscriptions and renewals contact:
Liturgical Conference
P.O. Box 31
Evanston, IL  60204
Tel 1-800-354-1420  ext 216
Email customerservice@taylorandfranciscom Website www.liturgicalconference.org $10.95 per copy (plus $1.00 shipping & handling); reduced-rate bulk orders are available.

“Protocol for Mediating Ethical/Moral Difference within the Ecumenical Covenant”.   A response to recent intensification of the sense of differences between and within churches on ethical issues, this leaflet offers guidelines for honest and respectful dialogue— practical standards within the ecumenical context. Available free from:
New Mexico Conference of Churches
124 Hermosa SE
Albuquerque, NM  87108
Tel 505-255-1509  Fax 505-256-0071
Email nmcc@nmchurches.org  Website www.nmchurches.org

Singing the Lord’s Song in a Strange Land: The African American Churches and Ecumenism. William Watley, 1994.  A portrait of the seven historic black churches, their worship life, international mission, theological enterprise and ecumenical relationships. Available from:
World Council of Churches Distribution Center
International Specialized Book Services
920 NE 58th Ave. Suite 300
Portland OR  97213
Tel 1-800-944-6190   Fax 503-280-8832
Email orders@isbs.com Website  www.isbscatalog.com
 
A Sourcebook for Earth’s Community of Religions. 1995 (revised). Joel Beversluis, ed. A fine reference tool of prayers and readings from religious traditions, reference material, directory information, political and ecological analysis, international documents, annotated resource guides and more. Available from:
CoNexus
PO Box 6902
Grand Rapids, MI 49516
Tel 1-800-452-7514
 and from:
Global Education Associates
475 Riverside Drive, Room 1848
Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10115
Tel 212-870-3290  Fax 212-870-2729
Email globaleduc@earthlink.net Website www.globaleduc.org  Paper $19.95.

“Taking Steps Toward Christian Unity”.  Program ideas for local councils of churches and other ecumenically interested persons. Helps churches together find ways to celebrate their unity in Jesus Christ; affirm their diversity; witness together to all people; serve together to meet human needs; dismantle remaining divisions; grow into more visible unity. Available free from:
Massachusetts Council of Churches
14 Beacon Street, Room 416
Boston, MA 02108
Tel 617-523-2771  Fax 617-523-1483
Email council@masscouncilofchurches.org Website www.masscouncilofchurches.org

That All May Be One: Catholic Reflections on Christian Unity. 2000. Ernest Falardeau. Creative essays on various unity themes arranged for each month of the year ensure an awareness of the importance of the church’s search for unity as a year-round concern. Available from:
Paulist Press
997 MacArthur Boulevard
Mahwah, NJ  07430
Tel 1-800-218-1903; 201-825-7300  Fax 1-800-836-3161
Email info@paulistpress.com  Website www.paulistpress.com  Paper $14.95.

The Vision of Christian Unity.  1997.  Thomas  F. Best and Theodore J. Nottingham, eds.  Written to honor Disciples of Christ ecumenist Paul Crow,  Informative, significant reflections on key aspects of the ecumenical movement. Available from:
Oikoumene Publications
130 East Washington Street
Indianapolis, IN  46204
Tel 317-635-3100   Fax 317-635-3700
Email: wshuffit@cm.disciples.org Website www.disciples.org  Paper  $23.00

Yearbook of American & Canadian Churches 2002.  Eileen W. Lindner, ed.  Indispensable, comprehensive annual directory of churches in the United States and Canada providing quick-reference access to names, addresses, telephone and fax numbers for church bodies, ecumenical and interfaith agencies, theological seminaries, religious periodicals, some non-Christian bodies, plus historical and statistical data. Available from:
National Council of Churches
Office of the Yearbook of American & Canadian Churches
475 Riverside Drive Riverside Drive, Room 880
New York, NY  10115
Tel 212-870-203;1-888-870-3325   Fax 212-870-2817 
Email yearbook@ncccusa.org  $55.00 (includes shipping & handling).

Ecumenical Courier: A Quarterly Publication of the US Conference of the World Council of Churches.  Newsletter of  the US Office of the WCC:
World Council of Churches
 475 Riverside Drive Riverside Drive, Room 915
New York, NY  10115
Tel 212-870-2533   Fax 212-870-2528
Email usa@wcc-coe.org  Website www.wcc-coe.org/wcc/usoffice  Free.

Ecumenical Review.  A quarterly publication of the World Council of Churches containing articles on current issues in ecumenical relations and world affairs.  Available from:
WCC Publications Office
150 route de Ferney
1211 Geneva 2
Switzerland
Tel 41-22-791-6111   Fax 41-22-791-0361
Website  www.wcc-coe.org.

Ecumenical Trends.  A monthly (except August) publication of the Graymoor Ecumenical & Interreligious Institute containing articles on current developments, ecumenical news and documentation.
Graymoor Ecumenical & Interreligious Institute
PO Box 300
Garrison, New York 10524-0300
 Tel1-800-338-2620 x3303;  845-424-2109  Fax 845) 424-2163
Email ecutrends@atonementfriars.org.  USA: $18.00; elsewhere: $20.00 per year; $38.00 for two years.

Ecumenism. Published quarterly, each issue is devoted to a particular topic, e.g. "The Growing Churches", "Orthodoxy in North America", "Christian-Muslim Dialogue". News and Resources sections. Also published in French.  Available from::
Canadian Centre for Ecumenism
 2065 Sherbrooke Street
West , Montreal, QC H3H 1G6
Tel 514-937-9176   Fax 514-937-4968
Email cocce@total.net.  Canada: $15.00; USA $17.50 per year, $32.50 for two years

Homily Service.  A resource for preachers based on the ecumenical lectionary.  Published monthly. Each edition lists the scripture readings for Sundays and feast days, with theological and homiletic reflections and creative pastoral ideas for breaking open the scriptural word.  Available from:
Liturgical Conference
P.O. Box 31
Evanston, IL  60204
Tel 1-800-354-1420 ext 216
Email customerservice@taylorandfranciscom. Website www.liturgicalconference.org. $60.00 per year.

Journal of Ecumenical Studies.  A quarterly journal for scholars, distinguished for its coverage of developments in interreligious dialogue as well as of the ecumenical movement.  Available from:
Journal of Ecumenical Studies
Temple University
1114 West Berks Street
Philadelphia, PA.  19122
Tel 215-204-7714  Fax 215-204-4569
Email nkrod@astro.temple.edu or dialogue@vm.temple.edu.  35.00 per year.

Liturgy.  An ecumenical pastoral resource on liturgy for the renewal of the worship of the Christian churches.  Quarterly.  Available from:
Liturgical Conference
P.O. Box 31
Evanston, IL  60204
Tel 1-800-354-1420 ext 216
Email customerservice@taylorandfranciscom. Website www.liturgicalconference.org. $25.00 per year.

Mid-Stream: The Ecumenical Movement Today.  Published quarterly by the Council on Christian Unity of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).  Issues are built around themes.  Features include sections on events in the oikoumenë and ecumenical documents: texts and critical reflections, book reviews.  Available from:
Council on Christian Unity
PO Box 1986
130 E Washington Street
Indianapolis, IN 46206
Tel 317-713-2586   Fax 317-713-2588
Website www.disciples.org/ccu.  $20.00 per year.

One In Christ.  A continuation of the Eastern Churches Quarterly.  On topics of ecumenical concern, OIC is a Catholic ecumenical review published at Turvey Abbey, Turvey, Bedfordshire, MK43 8DE England.  International air mail £22.50 pounds per year.