The Presiding Bishops of the Anglican Church of Canada, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and The Episcopal Church have been meeting in person on an annual basis to discuss issues of common concern. Colloquially referred to as their “4 Way” meetings, this group has issued joint statements on issues of common concern and provided shared devotional materials for the four Churches. 

The following letter was written to be shared before or during our respective governing bodies in 2018 and 2019, beginning with our own General Convention.

Statement of Mutual Commitment

As sisters and brothers in the Lutheran and Anglican/Episcopal traditions and in the spirit of full communion between our respective Churches in Canada and the United States, we, the Presiding Bishops are happy to say that in the last ten years we have intentionally deepened our own partnerships. We have done this through our annual “4 Way” meetings, Advent and Lenten devotions, and shared public statements on issues that concern the human family and our common home, the earth itself. We rejoice in our genuine friendship and are grateful for the mutual support and encouragement we enjoy in the exercise of our ministries.

Our Churches are all preparing for their respective Conventions, Synods and Assemblies this year and next, and we pledge our prayers as bishops, clergy and laity come together to deliberate over matters of concern unique to each Church and ones common to all of us. We pray that in the midst of all the demands our attention to matters domestic we not lose sight of our calling as the Church to be “in and for the world” (W.C.C. Document, The Church Towards a Common Vision, 2013)

We invite the members of our Churches to join us in prayer during the periods of these churchwide gatherings:

     The Episcopal Church General Convention – July 5-13, 2018,

     Austin, Texas

     Anglican Church of Canada General Synod – July 10-16, 2019,

     Vancouver, British Columbia

     Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada National Convention – July 11-13, 2019,

     Regina, Saskatchewan

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Churchwide Assembly – August 5-10, 2019, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Almighty and ever-living God, source of all wisdom and understanding, be present with those who take counsel for the renewal and mission of your Church. Teach us in all things to seek first your honor and glory. Guide us to perceive what is right and grant us both the courage to pursue it and the grace to accomplish it; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

We pledge not only our prayers, but also our continued commitment to explore more deeply how to live into our communion partnerships and our common witness to Jesus Christ whose prayer is this, “that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” (John 17:21)