National Workshop on Christian Unity
For over forty years, the National Workshop on Christian Unity has been the prime ongoing event in the United States for ecumenical education experienced in the midst of other Christian traditions. It is held yearly in various locations of the country. |
Opening worship at the 2009 Workshop
Clifton Kirkpatrick (second from right) of the PC(USA) preached.
Photo by J.D. Long-Garcia of the Catholic Sun
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Next Workshop is in Tampa on April 19-22, 2010
The 2010 National Workshop will be in Tampa, Florida on April 19-22, 2010, at the Hyatt Regency Hotelwith the theme, "You Are Witnesses of These Things (Luke 24:48): What Witness Will the World Receive?" The keynoter will be Catholic archbishop Wilton Gregory and Lutheran William Rusch will speak at a plenary on reception, a subject on which he has written a book. Episcopal presiding bishop Katharine Jefferts-Schori will be the opening preacher and former WCC Faith and Order director Thomas Best will close the event at the final luncheon.
     
from left: Gregory, Rusch, Jefferts-Schori, Best, Small, Kearns
A series of very timely seminar topics will include a retrospective on the impact of Baptism, Eucharist, and Ministry led by PC(USA) staffer Joe Small, a session on racism as an impediment to ecumenism in which PC(USA) leader Curtis Kearns will participate, also a recognition of the 100th anniversary of the Edinburgh Conference. As is the practice at the National Workshop, various networks will also offer seminars for their members and, in some situations where space is available, for others. For instance, the Catholic network will examine Catholic-Jewish relations, the Catholic-Pentecostal dialogue, and responses to Ut Unum Sint.
Download a brief 2010 brochure or a much larger complete booklet of information. Register by March 15 for the lowest fee. Registration can be handled through mailing the form included in one of the downloadable information pieces or by using the online process.
The National Planning Committee includes Paul Masquelier of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), who is its communications director and webmaster.
The 2010 student essay contest has already been announced. Full-time, graduate-level theological students preparing for ministry are eligible to participate by preparing a 1000-1500 word essay on the year's theme. The submission deadline is February 15, 2010.
Remembering Phoenix, Arizona on April 27-30, 2009
To catch the flavor of the presentations at the 2009 National Workshop, see the NWCU 2009 Highlights. Listen to some of the extensive audio recordings of the 2009 seminars, watch videos of major presentations, and view the PowerPoint from Clifton Kirkpatrick's presentation to Presbyterians.
Remembering Chicago, Illinois on April 14-17, 2008
View the keynote address given by Michael Kinnamon at the 2008 National Workshop. He discussed splits in the ecumenical movement that need attention -- between Faith and Order on the one hand and Life and Work on the other, between prayer and activism, between "mutual recognition" as the fruit of our own doing and the work of the Spirit as God's doing among us. Read also the sermon by Sr. Lorelei Fuchs.
xWhere after Tampa?
Other cities interested in hosting a future National Workshop may send a proposal to the national planning committee's treasurer as much as three years in advance. A downloadable brochure lists the primary requirements.
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