News from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America June 6, 1996 Title: AME-ELCA DIALOGUE IN TRANSITION The first formal round of talks has concluded between the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). In a communique to the press, the dialogue members said the two churches are working "toward creating understanding of one another and fostering such dialogue among our congregations." The churches held the dialogue's concluding session at the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, Pa. Daniel A. Payne, a prominent 19th century bishop of the AME Church, graduated from that ELCA seminary. The churches charged a ordinating committee to oversee distribution of "Understanding One Another," a booklet the dialogue produced. The committee will consider organizing a major celebration of the dialogue's progress and formulate recommendations for the next round of talks. Formal talks between the AME Church and ELCA began in 1992. The AME Church participates in the Consultation on Church Union with eight other church bodies, but its talks with the ELCA is its first bilateral dialogue. The ELCA is involved in several bilateral dialogues, but this is its first with one of the historic African American churches. [ELCA News and Information: 8765 W. Higgins Road, Chicago, IL 60631; phone 312/380-2963]