Presbyterian and Episcopal New Yorkers Form ‘EPIC’ Local Dialogue

Representatives from the Presbytery of Long Island, the Presbytery of New York, the Episcopal Diocese of Long Island, and the Episcopal Diocese of New York have formed a local dialogue group in response to recent legislation that went to both denominations’ governing bodies regarding an Episcopal-Presbyterian Agreement on Local Sharing of Ministries. Both the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s General Assembly and The Episcopal Church’s General Convention commended further dialogue, a step forward for unity between the two denominations.

Over the course of multiple meetings, this group—nicknamed “EPIC” (Episcopalians and Presbyterians in Conversation)—has addressed “implications, benefits, and challenges of shared ministry in Long Island,” according to the dialogue’s report. The Rt. Rev. R. William Franklin, who has been a leader in shepherding EPIC, said “I believe the Holy Spirit has truly been with us to bring us to this place and prepare us for this ministry,” and outlined best practices as they move forward, including a “focus on mission and ministry that we can do together now” and “worship[ing] together as often as possible.”

The dialogue is engaged in a process of sharing information about each other’s Eucharistic theologies and liturgies. The group met on Jan. 21 at Setauket Presbyterian Church in Long Island. The Rev. Kate Jones, executive presbyter and stated clerk for the Presbytery of Long Island, led a walkthrough of a typical Presbyterian communion service before the dialogue engaged in conversation about similarities and differences between the two churches’ practices. “The dialogue and trusted relationships with our Episcopalian siblings on Long Island is a very tangible and joyful expression of our unity in Christ, and I pray that this work also helps us tend together to the world’s deep need for justice, reconciliation, and repair,” Jones said.

In addition to worshiping together and learning about each other’s respective traditions, the group has met with key ecumenical leaders in both denominations and has advocated for joint resolutions which propose local ecumenical partnerships and ministry sharing.

The increasingly grassroots nature of the ecumenical movement puts EPIC at the vanguard of future dialogue work. And the legislative focus on local ministry sharing when it comes to Episcopal-Presbyterian relations makes EPIC an incubator for future partnership models. “Many of our parishes, particularly small congregations in a variety of settings, would benefit both administratively and spiritually from the flexibility afforded by shared ministry,” the dialogue’s report says.