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, 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, Room1371
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, 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, Room 880
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
312 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, Room 1626
New York, NY 10115
Tel 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
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 800-218-1903; 201- 825-7300 Fax 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 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
Single copies free; 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 800-858-5450 Fax 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 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 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 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 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 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 800-552-2259 Fax 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 800-962-4544; 802-457-4000 Fax 802-457-4004
Email sales@jewishlights.com Website
www.jewishlights.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 800-218-1903; 201-825-7300 Fax 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 stunning12-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 800-251-4000; 615-889-9000 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 800-354-1420 ext. 216
Email customerservice@taylorandfrancis.com 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 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 800-452-7514
and from:
Global Education Associates
475 Riverside Drive, Room 1848
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 800-218-1903; 201-825-7300 Fax 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 2005. 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 Church
Office of the Yearbook of American & Canadian Churches
475 Riverside Drive, Room 880
New York, NY 10115
Tel 888- 870-3325; 212-870-2031 Fax 212-870-2817
Email yearbook@ncccusa.org $55.00 (includes shipping & handling).
Periodicals
Call to Unity. Call to Unity will be published 2-3 times a year as a resource
for congregations to encourage and support local ecumenical efforts. It is an
exciting change for us, and we hope that you will find Call to Unity an valuable
and usable resource. Annual rate is $15. 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.
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, 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, NY 10524-0300
Tel 800-338-2620 x3303; 845-424-2109 Fax 845-424-2163
Email ecutrends@atonementfriars.org
Subscriptions USA: $20.00; elsewhere $22.00 per year; USA: $36.00 elsewhere $40.00 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 514-937-4986
Email ccocce@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 800-354-1420, ext. 216
Email customerservice@taylorandfrancis.com 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
114 West Berks Street, Ste 511
Philadelphia, PA 19122-6090
Tel 215-204-7714 Fax 215-204-4569
Email nkrody@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 800-354-1420, ext. 216
Email customerservice@taylorandfrancis.com Website
www.liturgicalconference.org
$25.00 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 per
year.