Relationships
We believe communication paves the way to mutual understanding, respect and trust. Because of this, the Episcopal Church has fostered relationships with many different faith groups and organizations both in the United States and abroad.
Not only do we work in communion with Anglican dioceses around the world, but we also have long-established relationships with our ecumenical partners, engaging in dialogue and sharing in worship and mission.
Striving to bridge the cultural gap that widened after 9/11, we work to strengthen our interfaith efforts. The Episcopal Church values the richness of other faith traditions and believes that by working together, we create additional opportunities to serve God and help others around the world.
Anglican Communion
The Episcopal Church is a member of the world-wide Anglican Communion which represents 38 provinces. the Episcopal Church participates in the Communion through hosipitality, communications, education, financial support, and mission personnel. Please visit http://www.anglicancommunion.org/
Ecumenical and Inter-religious Relations
The Episcopal Church has a longstanding commitment to dialogue and conversation with other Christians and other faith groups. We have been a founding members of the National Council of Churches, World Council of Churches, and Christian Churches Together in the USA. We are committed to dialogue for the sake of full communion (including interchangeability of members and clergy) and common work and witness in the world. We also are in conversation and relationship with other religious traditions, with the goals of mutual understanding and cooperating on common areas of concern, including Jewish-christian and Muslim-Christian dialogues.
- Encourages the growth and development of overseas dioceses and partner churches throughout the Anglican Communion;
- Provides leadership support and assistance to international relationships enjoyed by dioceses, congregations and networks in the Episcopal Church;
- Fosters unity among the separated branches of the Christian Church, for the sake of cooperation and mission in the world.
- Overseas relationships with other religions, for similar cooperation and mutual understanding.
- Recruits, trains, and supports Appointed Missionaries, Volunteers for Mission and Young Adult Service Corps participants in 30 countries;
- Faciliates and encourages Companion Diocesan Relationships;
- Supports and facilitates global mission networks in our church.
Global Covenants
Over the last several decades, many diocese that were once apart of The Episcopal Church have been released to creat new provinces in the ANglican Communion namely Brazil, Central America, Mexico and the Philippines, or to join another Anglican province namely, Liberia which joined the Church of the Province of West Africa.
Both the Executive Council and the Standing Commission on World Mission pay close attention to the autonomy process, the state of our covenant relationships and our finacial commitments to the churches while they are working toward self-sustainability.
Global Mission Networks and Organizations
The Episcopal Church has extensive networks of mission focused organizations that facilitate mission at the local, diocesan, national and international levels. Their work varies in terms of content and focus and are doing the work of God's mission in the world. We have hundred's if not thousands of Episcopalians engaged in mission of all types and being in the Anglican Communion offers the joy of developing rich relationships with one another.
