Receive One Another: Hospitality in Ecumenical Perspective

Occasionally it has been the practice for a church or a group of churches to invite ecumenical guests to an ecclesial event or to serve as an observer in a gathering or dialogue. The degree to which the full ecumenical significance of this practice is understood by host and guests has varied. What is ecumenical hospitality? What are the marks of and guidelines for the practice of ecumenical hospitality, when it is exercised well? How might churches and their leaders be more intentional about this practice? This book, written in a non-technical style, provides guidance to religious leaders, ecumenical officers, governing bodies of churches and councils of churches. The working group which has prepared the text, which represents a wide spectrum of churches and denominations, hopes that the recommendations will encourage more ecumenical invitations and that the quality of these experiences will be enhanced.

Diane C Kessler is executive director of the Massachusetts Council of Churches in Boston, USA