The International Lutheran-Episcopal Society

"Aspects of Reconciliation"

The Anglican-Lutheran Society met in Dublin at All Hallow's College, September 7 through 11. During our time together, we were honored to have compelling speakers who invited us into new ways of thinking.

Mrs. Gillian Kingston, President of the Irish Council of Churches, introduced us to something of the culture and character of Ireland.  paper: G. Kingston

Dr. Michael Trice, ELCA Department of Ecumenical Affairs, presented us with the difficult topic of "The Nature of Cruelty" and of the need to guard against premature attempts at reconciliation when the causes of cruelty have not yet been resolved.

Bishop Jurgen Johannesdotter preached about the nature of cooperation and ecumenical efforts at worship at Christ Church Cathedral.

Professor Paul Leer-Salvesen, of Agder University College, Norway, recounted his experiences working with convicted murderers and their needs for forgiveness and reconciliation with themselves and their pasts, as well as with others in their lives. paper: P. Leer-Salvesen

Dr. David Tombs, of the Irish School of Ecumenics (Trinity College, Dublin), showed us a riveting segment from a BBC program that placed a woman whose brother was killed by an English soldier during "the Troubles" across the table from that same soldier, some thirty years later. Archbishop Desmond Tutu moderated the encounter.

Dr. Johnston McMaster intoduced us to work in local communities in northern Ireland, fostering grass roots efforts at reconciliation.

(L to R) Mitzi Budde, faculty, Virginia Seminary, Alexandria, VA
Michael Trice, ELCA Ecumenical Affairs, Chicago, IL
Rev. Bill Sappenfield, pastor Peace Lutheran Church, Austin, TX
Tom Van Poole, member Resurrection Lutheran Church, Arlington, VA
Mimi Van Poole, member Resurrection Lutheran Church, Arlington, VA

Below: (L to R) Rev. Stan Sawyer, rector All Saints' Episcopal Church, Virginia Beach, VA; Rev. Marcus Engdahl (ret), Virginia Beach, VA

(L-R) Mitzi, Tom, Rev. Phillip Swingler (Rushdon, England), Rev. Patrick Irwin (London), Bishop Johannesdotter (Schaumberg-Lippe, Germany), Rev. Dick Lewis (Watford, England), Rev. Jaakko Rusama (Helsinki, Finland), and Rev. Jacob Knudsen (Bergen, Norway).

 

Choir boys (after tea and biscuits) at Armagh Cathedral

Prof. Paul Leer-Salvesen of Agder University College, Norway

Dr. David Tombs, Irish School of Ecumenics, Trinity College, Dublin

Students: Gretar Gunnarsson, Jon Omar Gunnarsson, and Haraldur Hreinsson from Reykjavik, Iceland

Glendalough, the site of a monastery established by St. Kevin in the 6th century