Ecumenism is a word that is not often on the lips of Episcopalians, nor is the ecumenical movement a high priority in the minds of most Episcopalians.

"Ecumenism" is derived from a Greek word which means 'the inhabited world," and when applied to the Christian church, has the connotation of embracing Christendom as one universal church. However, you and I have grown up in a Christian environment that presupposes many denominations, sects and communions - many hundreds, in fact, both in this country and throughout the world.

A study of the New Testament and early church history would clearly indicate that these divisions are contrary to God's design and the will of Christ. "Schism,'' another Greek word which means "to tear apart, or split" has always been considered a sin of the highest magnitude when applied to the communion of the church and on a par with heresy, or wrong teaching.

The first great schism occurred in 1054 A.D. between the Greek Byzantium East and the Latin Roman West. In the 10th century, the many divisions of Protestantism developed. It was in that century that the Church of England and Anglicanism took the form in which we presently find it. The United States is perhaps the locus of the greatest number of divisions, as a trip through most any community will clearly demonstrate.

In the 19th century, the Episcopal Church in particular initiated thinking about the possibility that at least some Christian unity efforts should be undertaken. The Rev. William Augustus Muhlenberg was an early pioneer in 1853. In 1886, the General Convention of the Episcopal Church, followed by the Lambeth Conference in 1888, adopted the Chicago-Lambeth Quadrilateral. This important document continues to guide the Episcopal Church in its ecumenical undertakings. It is found on pages 876-8 of the prayer book.

In the present age, our ecumenical endeavors are pursued by the Standing Commission on Ecumenical Relations, in concert with our General Convention. Perhaps most notable since the 1960s has been dialogues on the Consultation on Church Union. This effort for the Episcopal Church to enter into a covenanted relationship with eight protestant churches has never succeeded in obtaining the approval of our church.

Dialogues with the Roman Catholic Church, both nationally and internationally, have been occurring since 1966 when Pope Paul VI and Archbishop Ramsey initiated them. Over the years, significant agreement has been obtained concerning the doctrine of the Eucharist and that of holy orders. Authority in the church is the next major consideration.

Perhaps the most likely church with which to move forward in this country would be the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, just as other Anglican provinces are dealing with their Lutheran counterparts.

Lutheranism, as Anglicanism, is world-wide and nearly as large as Anglicanism. The Chicago-Lambeth Quadrilateral stipulates four characteristics of the undivided church that are "incapable of compromise or surrender." They are, in brief: holy scriptures, the Apostles' and Nicene creeds, the two gospel sacraments of baptism and Eucharist and the historic episcopate. With the Roman Catholics and Eastern Orthodox we share all four. With the Lutherans we share the first three.

In 1982, the Episcopal Church and the ELCA entered into an Agreement on Shared Eucharist as an initial step in coming closer together. Such an event is under the oversight of the local bishop. Since then, the two churches have developed a proposed concordat which would allow for an unprecedented interchange ability of ministers. This concordat is a major work of our Standing Commission on Ecumenical Relations, with the hope that the two churches will be able to agree on its terms in 1997. The major obstacle is, of course, developing some means of conveying to the ELCA apostolic orders for their bishops.

Also worth noting is the World Council of Churches' Faith and Order Commission, which produced the widely acclaimed Lima Document, "Baptism, Eucharist and Ministry." Our low key dialogue continues with the Eastern Orthodox and the Oriental Orthodox churches.

In all of these things, we believe that a sincere effort is being made to restore to Christ's body the unity that Christ gave it and wills for it.