Twenty years ago, four denominations, including the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), signed a “Formula of Agreement” establishing full communion between the four churches (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Reformed Church in America, United Church of Christ). On Sunday, March 26, in Cleveland—home of the United Church of Christ, one of the formula partners—the four churches celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Formula.
The PC(USA) was represented at the celebration by the Reverend SanDawna Ashley of the Mid Council Ministries staff in the Office of the General Assembly.
Anthony Moujaes of United Church News covered the event:
“Setting aside their different viewpoints, and focusing on what they share in common, four Protestant churches in the United States have embraced a shared journey during the last two decades as part of their commitment to reconciling the separated branches of the Church of Jesus Christ.
“This week those churches—the United Church of Christ, the Presbyterian Church (USA), the Reformed Church in America and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America—begin a celebration of that 20-year commitment to the four-way Formula of Agreement communion.”
Anthony’s story is reprinted in part with permission of the United Church of Christ.
Four Reformation churches celebrate 20 years of communion
Setting aside their different viewpoints, and focusing on what they share in common, four Protestant churches in the United States have embraced a shared journey during the last two decades as part of their commitment to reconciling the separated branches of the Church of Jesus Christ.
This week those churches — the United Church of Christ, the Presbyterian Church (USA), the Reformed Church in America and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America — begin a celebration of that 20-year commitment to the four-way Formula of Agreement communion.