EIRC
The Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Relations Committee
supports the bishop, congregations, rostered ministers and members of the synod in working toward unity among Christians. We also work to promote mutual understanding and cooperation between Christians and people of other religions.
Committee Members
If you would like to reach out to the committee, please email EIRC@metrodcelca.org.
Ministry Resources
2026 WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY
The Synod's Ecumenical and Inter-religious Affairs Committee would like to share this year’s materials for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity: January 18-25, 2026. This year’s theme is from Ephesians 4:4: “There is one body, and one spirit, just as you are called to the one hope of your calling.” Downloadable materials can be found at the World Council of Churches site or materials may be ordered from the Graymoor Ecumenical Institute. Please let the Committee know if you are planning an event with any ecumenical partners in your area!
LUTHERANS AND EPISCOPALIANS TOGETHER AT THE TABLE: THE FUTURE OF CALLED TO COMMON MISSION
A webinar on the full communion agreement between the Episcopal Church and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Called to Common Mission (CCM), was held in September 2021, 20 years after the signing of the agreement. Deacon Mitzi Budde (a rostered ELCA leader) addressed the question, "Is God still calling our churches into full communion even through a pandemic and beyond?" She shared stories of Episcopalians and Lutherans creatively implementing full communion today and offered an overview of how this ecumenical partnership came to be.
Please review this interactive Zoom session of Mitzi Budde's presentation on CCM from September 2021. Excellent for adult education classes!
A DECLARATION OF INTER-RELIGIOUS COMMITMENT:
A POLICY STATEMENT OF THE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
Please read and discuss “A Declaration of Inter-Religious Commitment: A policy statement of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America,” adopted at the 2019 ELCA Churchwide Assembly.
A Spanish version is also available for download: Declaración de compromiso interreligioso: Una declaración de política de la Iglesia Evangélica Luterana en América.
ELCA ECUMENICAL AND INTER-RELIGIOUS RELATIONS RESOURCE PAGE
This resource page provides a visual way to explore and download the many types of ecumenical and inter-religious resources available through the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.