Dear Friends of Christian unity,
Looking ahead.
In 2009 the Stone-Campbell movement will celebrate the 200th anniversary of the publication of Thomas Campbell's Declaration and Address - the document that gave form, content and shape to the Disciples' identity and vision of unity. Indeed, it can be argued that from this publication, more than any other event, we became a distinct religious movement in the history of Christianity. (For more information on the Declaration and Address, see http://www.mun.ca/rels/restmov/texts/tcampbell/da/da_reader.html)
Today, there are three "streams" of churches that are part of the original movements of Barton W. Stone and Thomas and Alexander Campbell: the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), theChurches of Christ, and Christian Churches/Churches of Christ.
Through the work of Disciples of Christ Historical Society, a sixteen-member task force (five persons from each stream of the Stone-Campbell movement, plus the Executive Director of World Convention) has been established for the purpose of promoting a worldwide celebration of the bicentennial of Thomas Campbell's foundational document in 2009. It will also be marking the 100th anniversary of the "Centennial Celebration" in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (October 1909) where over 50,000 Christians and Disciples gathered for a giant outdoor communion service in Forbes Field. The task force has proposed October 18, 2009 as the date for the culminating event of the 200th anniversary celebration when congregations who are part of the Stone-Campbell family around the world will join in using common prayers, litanies, and hymns to celebrate a "Great Communion Sunday."
To help congregations to prepare for participating in this Bicentennial Celebration, a Study Manual for Local Dialogue has been developed by the Stone-Campbell Dialogue here in the United States to encourage local contact, learning and sharing around our hopes today - and for the future. This Study Manual is available on-line at http://www.disciples.org/ccu/pdf/Studyguide.pdf.
Looking ahead. To do that, it is helpful to look back at where we've been and lessons we have learned from our past -- as we open ourselves to God's wondrous and hopeful future!
I look forward to receiving your response to the Study Manual and to your experiences in dialogue.
With best wishes.
In Christ,
Robert