[Uucf-bible] UUCF Ecumenical Reports, part 1

[RevRonRobinson at aol.com]

Hi all. 
 
This introduction is the first of four posts connected with UU  
Christianity's connection to and mission in the wider ecumenical world. I will  get these 
three annual reports up on the website for future reference too. They  will 
include the "Report to the UUCF from the Delegates to the Consultation on  Common 
Texts" prepared by Rev. Andrea Anastos; "Report of the Council of  Christian 
Churches within the UUA representative to The Faith and Order  Commission of 
the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA" by Rev.  Scott Axford; 
and "Report of the Ecumenical Officer to the CXCUUA Convocation"  by Rev. Terry 
Burke. 
 
While we often put our focus on connecting with others, Christian,  
Jesus-followers, and non-Christians in the UUA, we have a foot in the wider  world of 
both ecumenical affairs and inter-religious dialogue. These reflect our  
commitment to the ecumenical world with other Christians. 
 
This is important work. In the past few weeks, for example, I have been  able 
to use these connections and resources in an effort to help a UU Christian  
minister struggling to keep a campus ministry post when Presbyterians have left 
 the campus ministry board and pulled their support because the minister is 
UU  Christian. This kind of prejudice and exclusionary practice against UU  
Christians continues (in recent times I have also been counseling with a UU  
Christian beginning seminarian who was excluded, as I myself had been, from the  
Stephens Ministries training) and, I believe, it is on the upswing because  of 
the so-called "renewal" efforts and internal strife within some of the  
denominations. While many progressive Christians across denominations are  looking 
for ways to be together and work together, there are other places where  any 
connections with UUism automatically exclude Christians. This, like many  
things, is geographically based. But, it is another reason, for me, that keeps  me 
connected with UUism and our Christian situation and is another answer to  that 
old, tired question of "Can't you go somewhere else and be Christian."  Often 
it comes down to a matter of which kind of "error" are you willing to live  
with among your brothers and sisters in Christ. 
 
We also do not support this ecumenical work financially very  well. Right now 
anyway we have to try to raise the funds off the UUCF  budget to support this 
project. For example, I am trying to raise funds to  pay the expenses Rev. 
Anastos incurred travelling to the CCT meeting where as  our representative for 
many years she has now been elected an officer. Any  contributions for this 
particular project will be much much appreciated. You can  send donations made 
out to the UUCF and marked "CCT" to the UUCF Office at P.O.  Box 6702 Turley, 
OK 74156, or if you are going to be in Revival, leave them for  us there.
 
Thanks and blessings, and I hope you enjoy and will pass on these coming  
ecumenical reports to others in your church, small group, or especially to  
people you know in other denominations. It makes a difference. 
 
Ron Robinson