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ATLANTIC ECUMENICAL COUNCIL |
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What is the Atlantic Ecumenical Council (AEC )? We are a Council made up of official representatives of the churches, Local Councils of Churches, Theological Colleges, a Pastoral Institute in the Atlantic region, and Ecumenical Justice groups.
For what purpose does the AEC exist? We exist: (a) to help the churches keep alive the ecumenical vision; to fulfill the prayer of the Lord of the Church that the Church might be one (John 17); (b) to provide opportunity for Christians of different denominations to meet each other, and to hear outstanding leaders of the ecumenical movement; to link in fellowship those who are concerned about the unity of the Church and who will study, pray and work for the Church’s wholeness.
How are these purposes achieved? They are achieved by: (a) conferences, the most important of which are the biennial ecumenical conferences (the 22nd was held at the Atlantic School of Theology, Halifax, Nova Scotia, August 30 to September 1, 1993, with the theme “Ecumenism’s Cutting Edge”); (b) providing opportunities for the leadership of the denominations and the local groups of churches and other leaders to meet together for the in- formal discussion of common problems and current issues; (c) nurturing the formation and growth of local councils of churches; (d) the Friends of the AEC newsletter.
How is the AEC financed? (a) annual dues paid for representatives by supporting bodies, currently $40 per person; (b) annual donations made by Friends, - $10.00; c) collection at biennial conference public worship; (d) voluntary labour; (e) voluntary contributions, for which a receipt for tax purposes will be issued by the Treasurer (name and address below).
(An Anglican Archbishop told a past Secretary, Dr. M. R. B. Lovesey, that he thought the AEC had done good work at very low cost. The Secretary replied with a modest but hearty “Amen!”)
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