LARCUM

Friday and Saturday I attended an annual conference hosted by LARCUM - Lutherans, Anglicans, Roman Catholics, and United Methodists in Covenant in Virginia.

Ted Campbell was the speaker for the event - and focused on what is the most common and underlying commonality for all of us - the Gospel. He was quite a captivating speaker and had many moments of seriously hilarious laughter.

This weekend was quite exciting for me because ecumenism is a growing passion of mine. I thought about this and realized that my life has been one of ecumenism from the time I was born. My mother was born and raised Lutheran, my father was born into a Catholic and Serbian Orthodox family and worshipped with both parents in both traditions. My godmother is Roman Catholic. In college I was quite active in both things going on in the Lutheran Church (some campus ministry, but more so outdoor ministry) and an evangelical Christian fellowship ministry group. So I guess it only makes sense that I would seek to find ways for us to be faithful followers of Christ who seek to focus on what is held between us, and rejoice in the differences and uniqueness.

As I talked with folks at this conference (and I have to say that many, many of these folks were Roman Catholic laity) I started to think of the churches and communities around Dale City/Woodbridge. I am thinking about drafting a letter of introduction, but also to see if any of these leaders and laity are interested in coming to know each other more and seeking ways to live out our callings as disciples together.

I'll keep ya posted if this comes to fruition...just need to find the time to get this done and then see who/where the local congregations are.