Article II Purpose*
The purpose of this Council is as follows:
We celebrate the unity already present among those who accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Nevertheless, we seek the full unity which the Apostle Paul affirmed, “There is one body and one Spirit, as there is also one hope held out in God’s call to you; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of us all, Who is over all and through all and in all” (Ephesians 4: 4-6). This is a unity Jesus intended and for which he prayed (John 17:21).
This visible unity, Christ’s body, will be rich, as it encompasses a variety of valid religious and church traditions.
Through God’s grace, our shared experience and mutual support, we
endeavor to renew ourselves within our Christian communities. Seeking to“spare no effort to make fast with bonds of peace the unity which the Spirit
gives” (Ephesians 4: 3), we commit ourselves to dialogue, common prayer,
and practical collaboration as the essential elements of our mutual effort.
Our mission includes the need to serve our members and cooperatively to
proclaim the Gospel to the world in deed as well as in word.
This is what we understand ecumenism to be. This is the purpose for our association, an ecumenical council.
This is an organization formed by the official commitment of the member
Christian communities in Vermont. This Council does not claim to be the only
organ of churchly cooperation. We are part of the worldwide movement
toward Christian unity, but here in Vermont we face specific situations and
possess resources that are our own. Further, we recognize our duty to
communicate with all those groups and individuals who inspire and assist us
in our ecumenical endeavor.
We aspire to love and serve Jesus Christ in mutual discipleship and service.
To this end the Council shall conduct programs and ministries as shall be
found desirable and feasible.
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