Two articles in the November 10 Christian Century discuss the future of the National Council of Churches. Jean Caffey Lyles' work is entitled: "The National Council of Churches: Is there life after 50? Time for new Wineskins? asks Wesley Granberg-Michaelson. He says: "Two paths present themselves. One is to move the NCC gradually from its present troubled condition into a financially viable, simplified organization which can be reclaimed and owned by its churches. The other is to pursue the orderly, intentional dissolution of the NCC as part of a process which enables a new ecumenical vessel to be established and set on its course." Lyles offers a post-fiftieth anniversary analysis in "Endings and Beginnings" in the December 1 Christian Century.

The recent Auburn Study--Missing Connections: Public Perceptions of Theological Education and Religious Leadership offers thought provoking findings for those in seminary communities. "People interviewed for this study consider seminaries invisible institutions that produce leaders who offer little civic or public leadership. Most thought this lack of public involvement a missed opportunity, but we heard no consensus about what an increased religious presence in public life would mean." [Auburn Studies, No. 6, September 1999, p. 1]

Dagmar Heller offers a concise overview of "Eucharistic Fellowship in the Third Millennium? The Question of the Eucharist in Future Ecumenical Discussions" in the April, 1999 issue of the ecumenical review.

Ministry to Interchurch Marriages

On Thursday, March 16 at 2:00 PM at The Life Cycle Institute of Catholic University the Consortium will sponsor a public presentation on the national ecumenical study published in July by Creighton University's Center for Marriage and Family.

Dr. Michael G. Lawler of Creighton, Director of both the Study and of the Creighton Center, and a panel of pastors, will consider the data and its pastoral implications.

More details will be forthcoming.