Ecumenism sign of Spirit's work

Brother Jeffrey, who serves as ecumenical consultant for the National Conference of Catholic Bishops in Washington, D.C., will be the keynote speaker at an "Ecumenical Pentecost Gathering" on May 31.

The biennial gathering, sponsored by the Albany diocesan Commission for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs, will include workshops and a prayer service in addition to Brother Jeffrey's talk on "the millennium and ecumenism."

Spirit's force

While Scripture pictures the Spirit variously as a dove, wind or fire, Brother Jeffrey prefers to think of the third person of God as the impetus or energy of the Church.

That energy is resulting in many gratifying steps forward, he said, using the example of the Lutheran and Episcopal churches' efforts toward unity. He believes that the two denominations "probably, by the year 2000, will come into in full communion."

European churches are making faster ecumenical strides than those in the U.S., Brother Jeffrey added; but he sees the time frame as less important than the fact that efforts are taking place.

Celebration

The ecumenical work of the Albany Diocese is to be lauded as well, he said: "Celebrate what the Holy Spirit is already doing among us."

Aside from the stated topic of his talk, Brother Jeffrey hopes that listeners can learn about the nature and mission of the Church and the centrality of Jesus Christ in our lives through his words.

He urged people to attend the ecumenical gathering for several reasons: "for inspiration; to be with other Christians; to learn about events during the past year, signs of hope;...and to pray that the Holy Spirit will deepen our communion."

(The third biennial Ecumenical Pentecost Gathering will be held May 31, 3:30-7:30 p.m. at Pine Grove United Methodist Church, Colonie. For information, call 453-6660.)

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