ELCA NEWS SERVICE January 23, 2004 ELCA Celebrates 5th Anniversary of 'A Formula of Agreement' 04-009-MR CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is marking the fifth anniversary of "A Formula of Agreement" with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Reformed Church in America and United Church of Christ. The "full communion" agreement is not a plan to merge but allows the churches to share locally and internationally in their mission. It also makes it possible for clergy in one church to serve as pastors in congregations of another church body under certain circumstances. "It is clear that the formula is not just an agreement adopted 5 years ago; rather, it defines and describes a new way that we as the ELCA are being the church. The fruits of the formula are seen in growing partnerships in new mission starts, exchanges of clergy, resource development and greater cooperation among local congregations. They are also seen and are speaking with one voice as we work together for peace and justice in the world. Thank God for this concrete expression of the unity that we are given in Christ," said the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the ELCA. To help congregations celebrate the anniversary, a new liturgy -- "A Celebration of the Fifth Anniversary of the Formula of Agreement" -- was developed by the ELCA worship team in consultation with the church's ecumenical partners. The liturgy highlights "Baptismal Renewal," "Prayers of the People" and "Communion of the People." "While we were instrumental in preparing [the liturgy and other resource materials] the invitation to use them came from the leaders of the churches," said the Rev. Randall R. Lee, director, ELCA Department for Ecumenical Affairs. "Congregations of the ELCA are being invited to observe the anniversary in two principal ways," Lee said. "One is to use the Holy Communion liturgy and celebrate with congregations from as many of the three Reformed partners as are present in their communities. A second way is to engage congregations in adult study, preferably with Reformed congregations, using study resources prepared for this purpose." The study features four topics for discussion -- full communion, worship, decision making and living together. The topics are designed to strengthen the full communion agreement, deepen local understanding and encourage joint mission. The ELCA proposed the liturgy and study resource to the Lutheran-Reformed Coordinating Committee. Once developed, "the materials were endorsed for use by that committee. In addition, a letter signed by the four heads of communions was sent to all judicatory leaders with the hope that they in turn would send it on to be read in congregations," Lee said. "The hoped for outcome of using both of these resources is a deeper knowledge of one another's traditions and perhaps deepening or introducing a congregation of one tradition to those of the other and celebrating our unity in Jesus Christ with one another at the Lord's Supper," added Lee. The ELCA, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Reformed Church in America and United Church of Christ adopted the agreement with a series of votes from June 1997 to March 1998, entering into full communion. The churches celebrated their new relationship together during worship here Oct. 4, 1998. -- -- -- The full text of "A Formula of Agreement" adopted at the 1997 ELCA Churchwide Assembly is at http://www.elca.org/ea/Relationships/index.html on the Internet. The liturgy is at http://www.elca.org/dcm/worship/default.asp and the study is at http://www.elca.org/ea/Relationships/reformed/5th_anniversary_of_ the_foa.htm on the Internet. For information contact: John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or [log in to unmask] http://www.elca.org/news