On Tuesday, January 23, Rev. William R.L. Haley, Publisher of Re:Generation Quarterly and President of The Regeneration Forum, will speak at the Annual Unity Week Celebration. The Celebration will begin at 7:30 PM in the Chapel at Wesley Theological Seminary. Haley is the Director of Outreach at The Falls Church (Episcopal) near Washington, D.C. and sits on the boards of The Southeast DC Partners, an urban-suburban partnership in Anacostia; Project Timothy, a ministry to facilitate discipleship through mentoring relationships; and The Impact Foundation. He is also a member of the Theological Education Committee for the Mustard Seed Foundation.

This time of ecumenical worship and reflection is a participation inthe Annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity that will be celebrated internationally from January 18 - 25. The theme for each year?s observance of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is chosen and prepared by representatives of the World Council of Churches and representatives of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity. The 2001 Scriptural Theme is "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life" (John 14:1-6). As stated in a joint message on the 2001 theme, "This week of prayer is an occasion to depeenen our following of Christ's will for the unity of the church, to share with one another our fidelity to him as the Way, the Truth and the Life, and to learn more about the steps the churches are taking together to deepen their communion with one another in the life of the Spirit."

---

Since it's publication in September, the Vatican Declaration Dominus Iesus has elicited a wide range of responses in ecumenical circles internationally. It also has been a springboard for further ecumenical conversations. A clear example of the latter is the Town Hall Meeting, "Reflections on Dominus Iesus" sponsored by the Washington Theological Union Student Senate and the Consortium.

Over 160 people gathered on Sunday, November 19 to hear three excellent yet diverse short presentations by Msgr. Paul Langsfeld [Vice Rector of Mt. St. Mary's Seminary], Dr. Lucy Hogan [Faculty, Wesley Theological Seminary] and Dr. James Coriden [Faculty, Washington Theological Union]. An hour of questions and answers with the panel followed. Dr. Kenneth Himes [Faculty, Washington Theological Union] offered Summary Remarks in conclusion. The conversations then continued informally over dinner.

Genuine candor and mutual respect were evident in the presentations and discussions. These reflected some of the best aspects of the ecumenical dialogues of the last thirty years.

It would be impossible to summarize the many points made in the presentations and during the lengthy and intense discussion. In the prepared remarks: Monsignor Langsfeld noted that the text of Dominus Iesus not only affirmed the centrality of Christ but also developed in some positive ways the thought of Vatican II on the relationship of Catholicism to non-Christian religions. Dr. Hogan stressed the importance of the underlying issues in ecclesiology raised by the declaration and the differing views held by Christians on these issues . Dr. Coriden underlined the fact that the authority of such a declaration from a Vatican Congregation is of lesser rank than that of a statement of an ecumenical council or a papal encyclical.

Consortium conversations on these questions will continue during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. See following article.

---

Dear Friends:

In order to promote a

"dialogue between members within the [Consortium] institutions and within the community at large--with a special interest in the latter role, advancing the cause of ecumenism"

Mrs. Diane Tachmindji of Bethesda, MD has provided the Consortium with its first ever endowment. The interest on this generous gift will support special ecumenical projects beyond the ordinary items of the annual budget.

In giving this gift Mrs. Tachmindji hopes to advance the cause of ecumenism locally and nationally and to encourage others to do the same. She and her late husband Alexander Tachmindji have a deep and abiding interest in ecumenism and in service to the community. She hopes that this endowment will continue this interest by supporting the collaborative ecumenical and community efforts of the Consortium.

John Crossin, OSFS
Executive Director

On Thursday, March 15, the Washington Theological Union and the Consortium will sponsor a day on "Laity in Church Ministry: An Ecumenical View" at the Union. Presentations will focus on lay men and women in full time and part time ministries.

The event is free and open to pastors, lay ministers, faculty, students and friends. People are welcome to attend for the whole day or any of the three segments of it.

At 9:30 AM, Rev. Richard McFail [National Capital Presbytery], Mr. Dennis Beeman [President of the National Association for Lay Ministry], and Ms. Nancy Gable [Diaconal Minister from Gettysburg Lutheran] will offer an overview of "Professional Lay Ministries in the Churches."

At 1:00 PM, Dr. Kathleen Staudt [Virginia Theological Seminary and Wesley] and Dr. Amy Hoey, RSM [Lay Ministry Subcommittee staff, National Conference of Catholic Bishops] will discuss "Spiritual Preparation for Laity in Ministry."

At 3:00 PM, Dr. Diane Kennedy, OP [Academic Dean, Aquinas School of Theology, St.Louis] will reflect on "Professional Development--Now and in the Future."

Each session will have time for discussion. For more information or to register, contact either Dr. James Curry at WTU [202-541-5230] or Rev. John W. Crossin, OSFS at the Consortium [202-832-2675].

---

The Consortium Faculty Group on Mission and World Religions will host a dialogue for faculty and colleagues on The Singularity of Jesus Christ: Responses to the Papal Document Dominus Iesus. This discussion will take place on Wednesday, January 24 at Virginia Theological Seminary (3737 Seminary Road, Alexandria, VA). Dinner will be available in the Seminary Refectory beginning at 5:45 PM (free to all WTC faculty members; $7.50 for all other guests). Coffee and dessert will be served at 6:45 PM in Meade Hall 103 (Gibbs Room). The presentations and discussion will follow at 7:00 PM. Please RSVP by January 22 to Judith Schwartz at 703-461-1724.

Presentations will be given by Joseph Augustine Dinoia, O.P (U.S. Catholic Conference) and James D. Redington, S.J. (Woodstock Theological Center). Responses will be given by David A. Scott (Virginia Theological Seminary) and Roy J. Enquist (Canon Ethicist, Washington National Cathedral).