Presiding Bishop Edmond L. Browning called the proposed Concordat of Agreement "one of the most exciting things I have experienced during my 11 years as Presiding Bishop," when he addressed a joint session of the House of Bishops and the Conference of Bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA).

Meeting at the Mountain Laurel Lodge near White Haven, Pa., Oct. 3-8, the 150 Episcopal bishops and 67 ELCA bishops heard Bishop Browning say he hoped the Episcopal Church could be "a perfect partner" for the ELCA, "free of difficulties."

The Concordat of Agreement, to be acted on by the legislative bodies of both churches next summer, would establish full communion between the two.

The Rt. Rev. Edward W. Jones, Bishop of Indianapolis and a leader in discussions with Lutherans, delivered an address on the opening night of the meeting.

"Just our being together should get major headlines in a world that so desperately needs reconciliation," he said.

Bishops met in small groups, with five Episcopalians and two Lutherans at each table.

On the second day, the Eucharist was celebrated according to the Lutheran Book of Worship. ELCA Presiding Bishop George Anderson was the celebrant and Bishop Browning was the preacher.

"Our historic movement toward one another is an opportunity to strengthen the body of Christ," Bishop Browning said, "but it is unrealistic to think it won't be noted."

Eric Gritsch, professor of church history emeritus at Gettysburg Seminary, spoke of the Augsburg Confession, the American Lutheran experience and the ELCA's self-understanding of the church in apostolic succession.

The Rev. Martin Marty, Lutheran church historian and professor at the University of Chicago, noted there appear to be regional differences in eagerness to embrace full communion, and challenged both churches to move beyond "issues that to many church members will seem to show preoccupation with professional, hierarchical, clerical issues that do not make much difference in their lives."

The bishops also heard the Rev. John Booty, professor emeritus at the School of Theology of the University of the South, who reflected on the Book of Common Prayer. It provides Episcopalians, he said, with a "rhythm of praise and penitence, praise and penitence, praise and penitence, the heartbeat of the Christian life."

On Sunday, the Most Rev. George Carey, Archbishop of Canterbury, celebrated the Eucharist according to the U.S. Book of Common Prayer, and Dr. Marty was the preacher.

Later that day, Archbishop Carey addressed the gathering and spoke of the signing of the Porvoo Agreement among 11 Anglican and Lutheran churches in northern Europe [TLC, Sept. 29].

"The agreement that we have achieved in Porvoo proceeds from the premise that the will to go on in the ecumenical movement with many partners and many activities, however fragile, is a sign to Christians themselves and to the world that we do actually believe that there is a better and more reconciled way given by God in Christ."

The following day, Bishop Anderson spoke of the Concordat of Agreement.

"At the heart of things, there is an inner logic, a basic rightness to this step," he said. "Although there will be a cost, we have discovered here it will be worth the effort."

Bishop Browning spoke highly of his ELCA counterpart.

"If I didn't have a bad back, I would have knelt before him for absolution and his blessing," he said.

In addition to the plenary sessions with the ELCA bishops, the Episcopalians did some business in separate gatherings. Bishops discussed the Standing Commission on Constitution and Canons' proposed revisions of Title IV, concerning discipline of bishops. They also heard Archbishop Carey share his vision for the Lambeth Conference of 1998, and his thoughts on mission and ecumenism.

"It was one of the more positive meetings of the House of Bishops I've attended," said the Rt. Rev. John H. Smith, Bishop of West Virginia. "There was an excellent spirit, and an opportunity to explore with some frankness various aspects of the Concordat.

"The exciting thing for me was that the discussions of the Concordat centered on mission. It was great to have the House of Bishops talking about mission."

The Rt. Rev. Stephen Jecko, Bishop of Florida, enjoyed the dialogue with Lutheran bishops, especially that which took place at table discussions.

"It was a pleasure to talk about something other than sex," he quipped. Bishop Jecko also felt positive abaout Archbishop Carey's address.

"He gave a very passionate address, probably the most passionate of the whole event."

The House of Bishops will meet again in mid-March.

ELCA's communications office contributed to this report.