Brief Historical Overview of Dialogue Overview of “Lay Ministry” SA Dialogue of the Uniting and Roman Catholic Churches

Dialogue formed in 1979 Formally reconstituted in “A deeper understanding of each other’s traditions” 2. “Discussion of many topics of mutual interest, the preparation of several articles, and an attempt to communicate with the wider Christian community.” Brief Historical Overview

Website: Documents: Sharing the Eucharist (1994) The Eucharist in the life of our Churches: Tradition and Change in celebrating Holy Communion (1998) The Bible in our Churches (2005) Lay Ministry in the Roman Catholic and Uniting Churches (2010) Brief Historical Overview

a resource paper prepared by the Dialogue of the Roman Catholic and Uniting Churches in South Australia “Lay Ministry in the Roman Catholic and Uniting Churches”

Theological foundations for lay ministry based on our shared understandings of the nature of the God we worship and of baptism. Part A. Part B. The practice of lay ministry already happening in a range of settings. Introduction A new historical moment, opportunity for ecclesial collaboration is now more possible Conclusion Final thoughts & hopes

Theological foundations for lay ministry based on our shared understandings of the nature of the God we worship and of baptism. Part A.

Theological Foundation for Lay Ministry Introduction The Triune Life of God Unity and Diversity Institutional Expression and Ecumenical Collaboration Community and Mutuality Hospitality 2. Baptism  Baptism initiates us into church’s mission Priesthood of the Baptized- all are ministers Recognition of our common Baptism

Theological Principles 1. God’s triune life is mutual, communal, diverse and one Unity of being & radical communion (Basil) God’s friendship & communion with humanity & creation The churches ministerial activity reveals God’s mission for community and mutuality 2. Baptism as the initiation into God’s mission Priesthood of the baptised Recognition of each other’s baptism

Recognition of Baptism 10 churches participating in mutual recognition No re-baptism needed because of mutual recognition

Part B The practice of lay ministry already happening in a range of settings.

The Practice of Lay Ministry 1. Australian Churches Covenanting Together Examples of Cooperation Hope for the future Conclusion

Appreciative Inquiry The glass is half full- and how do we make it more full.

Appreciative Inquiry Appreciative Inquiry does not turn a blind eye on negative situations or deficit- oriented realities in organisations; it does not substitute a romantic and rosy picture for an objective and realistic one. It accepts the realities for what they are- areas in need of conversion or transformation. All intentionality shifts the focus of the inquiry and intervention to those realities that are sources of vitality and that manifest the marvels of God within an organisation. Fr Georgio Banaga Jnr CM

What was in the paper that you especially appreciated. Were there any new theological insights. What was it about the paper that connected with your experience of ecumenism

Would you like to offer any further insights How would you use this resource within your communities and congregations ?

Feedback

Think about an ecumenical encounter, a high point of the ecumenical movement that you have been involved in that has encouraged or excited you? What is it about this encounter that made it a high point? What is it that you would wish for in the future for ecumenism?

Consult not your fears But your hopes and dreams Think not about your frustrations, But about your unfulfilled potential. Concern yourself not with what you failed in, But with what it is still possible for you to do. Pope John XXIII