Beginning with Unity in the Church | By Fr. Edward Leche

Before His crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension Jesus prays the heart of God in that all who believe in Him may be ONE, just as He and the Father are One. And what is God's purpose for Unity? Jesus prays so that the world may believe that He was sent from God the Father. (John 17:20–21 ESV).

Unity with God in Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit is the task and witness of the Church. In this age of globalization, mass communication, and information overload, unity in the world seems so unattainable. With so many theological divides in the span of Church history, even unity in the body of believers seems impossible.

This is exactly why the PhD research and conversation started by Tiffany Butler at the University of Edinburgh's School of Divinity is so relevant and important to the church today. Tiffany's thesis is "Russian Orthodox and Anglican Ecumenism through Canonical Migration Theory." She argues that a fresh examination of ancient church canons concerning the impact of migration on creating ecclesiological jurisdictions will enrich ecumenical dialogue among churches residing in the same geographic location today.

Listen to the “Anglican Diocese of Cascadia Podcast” as Corby Stephens and Fr. Edward Leche chat with our own Tiffany Butler from Edinburgh, Scotland, to discuss her passion and work toward unity in Christ for the whole church in this 3-part series. Episode 1 available today on your favorite podcast app [by Dec. 21] or on the Diocese of Cascadia website.