The Atlantic Ecumenical Council is a fellowship of churches which confess the Lord Jesus Christ as God and Saviour according to the Scriptures and, therefore, seek to fulfill together their common calling to the glory of one God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Serving the Christian community of Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick - the four Atlantic Provinces of Canada. We have come together, Because we believe in God. We intend to stay together, In the name of Jesus Christ. We will strive to grow together, At the calling of the Holy Spirit. Let us now find in each place The things we can do together, to praise God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. (From 25th anniversary WCC order of service, August 1973.) What is the Atlantic Ecumenical Council (AEC)? We are a Council made up of official representatives of the churches, Local Councils of Churches, Theological Colleges, a Pastoral Institute in the Atlantic region, and Ecumenical Justice groups. For what purpose does the AEC exist? We exist: (a) to help the churches keep alive the ecumenical vision; to fulfill the prayer of the Lord of the Church that the Church might be one (John 17); (b) to provide opportunity for Christians of different denominations to meet each other, and to hear outstanding leaders of the ecumenical movement; to link in fellowship those who are concerned about the unity of the Church and who will study, pray and work for the Church's wholeness. How are these purposes achieved? They are achieved by: (a) conferences, the most important of which are the biennial ecumenical conferences (the 22nd was held at the Atlantic School of Theology, Halifax, Nova Scotia, August 30 to September 1, 1993, with the theme "Ecumenism's Cutting Edge"); (b) providing opportunities for the leadership of the denom– inations and the local groups of churches and other leaders to meet together for the informal discussion of common problems and current issues; (c) nurturing the formation and growth of local councils of churches; (d) the "Friends of the AEC" newsletter. Individuals may receive the newsletter by writing the Editor: the Rev. Terrance R. Trites, 114 Pasadena Dr. Moncton, NB E1G 1H5. Minimal annual subscription is $10.00, payable to AEC. When did the AEC begin? The Council began with the work of Dr. W. J. Gallagher, the first General Secretary of the Canadian Council of Churches, 1944-1964. The first Atlantic Ecumenical Conference was held in 1951, although Dr. Gallagher drew together groups of ecumenical minded church folk in eastern Canada before then. Under the leadership of Dr. H. L. Puxley, Dr. R. C. Chalmers, and others, the Atlantic Ecumenical Council formally came into being in 1966. Five Roman Catholic dioceses were admitted as full members in1972 & 1973. Recent years have seen further developments, such as the repre-sentation on Council of several local Councils of Churches and of Theological Colleges in the Atlantic Region. What Christian Bodies Support the AEC? Anglican, Presbyterian Church in Canada, twelve local Councils of Churches,Baptist, Roman Catholic Church, three Theological Colleges, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Salvation Army, one Pastoral Institute (N.B.); Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, United Church of Canada, The Atlantic Ecumenical Justice Network. If you know of any local councils not associated with the AEC, please inform the AEC Secretary, address below. How is the AEC financed? We finance our ministry by: (a) annual dues paid for representatives by supporting bodies, currently $40 per person; (b) annual donations made by "Friends", - $10.00; (c) collection at biennial conference public worship; (d) voluntary labour; (e) voluntary contributions, for which a receipt for tax purposes will be issued by the Treasurer (name and address below). An Anglican Archbishop told a past Secretary, Dr. M. R. B. Lovesey, that he thought the AEC had done good work at very low cost. The Secretary replied with a modest but hearty "Amen!" Has the AEC any authority over its supporting bodies? None whatsoever. The AEC exists simply to serve the Christian bodies with regard to the ecumenical dimension. What relationships does the AEC have with other ecumenical bodies? We have collegial relations with the Canadian Council of Churches, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, and the World Council of Churches. Got a comment or question? Email me at trtrites@been-there.com