The Commission continues to take careful note of bilateral conversations between Anglicans and Methodists in a variety of places around the world. In listening to these reports the Commission was able to further its understanding of the various and diverse challenges posed by ecumenical dialogue.
Considerable benefit was gained from meeting with some of those in the dialogue taking place in the United States of America between The Episcopal Church and The United Methodist Church. This gave the Commission an opportunity to learn more about the way that that dialogue is seeking Full Communion between the two churches….
I doubt many folks in the United Methodist Church realize what the current full communion with ELCA means. It will be interesting to watch as the potential union with TEc snakes its way into their fold.
Full communion does not mean union, and though the recognition of shared ministry may help move churches toward the goal expressed in Jesus’ prayer that they all may be one, present full communion agreements require agreement of bishops and other authorities on the diocese / conference/ synod level as well as among congregations.