General Assembly Committee on Ecumenical and Interreligious Relations
The General Assembly Committee on Ecumenical and Interreligious Relations works to highlight the vision of ecumenical involvement and work within the life of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). The committee plans and coordinates the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s engagement in ecumenical relations, articulating Reformed and Presbyterian identity in the midst of the church’s ecumenical commitments and provides guidance for the church’s conversations with non-Christian religious traditions.
Vision Statement
Together with Christians in every time and place, Presbyterians confess belief in one, holy, catholic, and apostolic church. The Nicene Creed’s marks of the church are not accomplishments of human performance or objects of human striving, as if the church depends on our efforts. The unity of the church is a gift of its Lord. The source and the shape of the gift are proclaimed in Scripture: “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all” (Ephesians 4:4-6).
Approved by the 212th General Assembly (2000)
of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
Membership
Executive Committee Members – June 2024
Whitney Wilkinson Arreche – Chairperson
Sabina Slater – Vice-Chairperson
Daniel Morales
Scott Prouty
CLASS OF 2024
Rev. Dr. Evangeline Anderson-Rajkumar
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Elder Nanette Cagney
South Louisiana Presbytery
Rev. Christian Choi
Lincoln Trails Presbytery
Mr. Kyle Cristofalo
National Capital Presbytery
Rev. Fredy Gutierrez
Reformed Church in America
Rev. Dr. Cheni Khonje
National Capital Presbytery
COGA Representative
Rev. Hyo-Jung Kim
United Church of Christ
Rev. Dr. Amariah McIntosh
Christian Methodist Episcopal Church
Rev. Elizabeth Meador
Heartland Presbytery
PMAB Representative
Rev. Daniel Morales
Tropical Florida Presbytery
Rev. Scott Prouty
Minnesota Valleys Presbytery
Rev. Sabrina Slater (Vice-Chair)
Geneva Presbytery
CLASS OF 2026
Rev. Whitney Wilkinson Arreche (Chair)
Coastal Carolina Presbytery
Elder Noushin Framke
New York City Presbytery
Rev. Joanna Hipp
Coastal Carolina Presbytery
Rev. George (Jacob) Bolton
National Capital Presbytery
Rev. Kathrine (Katie) Orth
Lincoln Trails Presbytery
Member by virtue of office
Rev. Jihyun Oh,
Executive Director, Interim Unified Agency
and Stated Clerk of the General Assembly
STAFF SUPPORT
Rev. Ray Jones
Director
Theology, Formation, and Evangelism
Rev. Dr. Laurie Kraus
Associate Mission Director
Compassion, Peace, and Justice
Rev. Mienda Uriarte
Director
World Mission
Rev. Philip Woods
Associate Director
Global Strategy and Program
Dr. Y. Dianna Wright
Director
Ecumenical and Interreligious Relations
More about the GACEIR
The General Assembly Committee on Ecumenical and Interreligious Relations shall function to give a high profile to the vision of the ecumenical and interreligious involvement and work as central to the gospel and key to the life of the church; plan and coordinate, in consultation with the agencies and governing bodies of the church, the involvement of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in ecumenical and interreligious relations and work; connect the ecumenical and interreligious efforts of all governing body levels of the church; provide a common point for all ecumenical and interreligious efforts connecting us with those outside our church; keep a unity of vision that includes the ecclesiastical, programmatic, ecumenical, and denominational (organizational) parts of our ministries and commitments; articulate the Reformed and Presbyterian identity in the midst of our ecumenical commitments; and promote awareness of the role of the unity of all humankind in the search for the unity of the church; and promote the unity of the church as an exhibition of the kingdom to the world.
The General Assembly Committee on Ecumenical and Interreligious Relations (GACEIR) has posted “Denouncing Antisemitism and Islamophobia,” a study document approved by the General Assembly in 2022.
The occasion marks the next step in a multi-year journey that began in 2018. Moved beyond tears and inspired to action, GACEIR engaged in crafting this document after the shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue, in Pittsburgh. Two General Assemblies later, the document has been approved, redesigned, and is ready to be shared with synods, presbyteries, mid councils, and congregations.
“The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) long has advocated positive relationships with people of other religious traditions. We have seen these relationships as a specific instance of Christ’s universal command to ‘... love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind’ and to ‘love your neighbor as yourself’ (Mt. 22:37, 39). This statement affirms that tradition. The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) often has fostered a love for people of other religious traditions, but many times we have not. The first is cause for celebration, thanking God for the grace to be faithful. For the second, the church resolves to do better.” Read the Stance.
“The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) long has advocated positive relationships with people of other religious traditions. We have seen these relationships as a specific instance of Christ’s universal command to ‘... love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind’ and to ‘love your neighbor as yourself’ (Mt. 22:37, 39). This statement affirms that tradition. The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) often has fostered a love for people of other religious traditions, but many times we have not. The first is cause for celebration, thanking God for the grace to be faithful. For the second, the church resolves to do better.”
Related Ministry Areas
Contact Us
Dr. Y. Dianna Wright
Director of Ecumenical and Interreligious Relations
502-569-5431
dianna.wright@pcusa.org