Christian Communities Gathering of Northeastern Pennsylvania

	In response to the late Pope John Paul II's call to prepare for the coming of the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000, and in particular, to focus on deepening ecumenical relationships on the local level, in November 1999, a luncheon meeting was held in St. Peter's Cathedral Rectory.
Invitations were sent to the leadership of a number of Christian traditions which reside within the boundaries of the Diocese of Scranton.

From that luncheon meeting came the commitment on the part of all gathered to develop a new ecumenical body for parts of Central and Northeastern Pennsylvania where our various groups have contact.  Over time, this ecumenical body has become known as the Christian Communities Gathering of Northeastern Pennsylvania.  About 10 Christian traditions and ecumenical agencies are regularly represented at the quarterly meetings and other activities. 

In order to help members understand each other better, the group has been discussing, for the last year and a half, the hallmark document of the World Council of Churches, Baptism, Eucharist and Ministry.  Although over 20 years old now, this document is still very important as a theological discussion guide to allow traditions to present their theological positions on Baptism, Eucharist and Ministry. 

At each CCG meeting, representatives of each Christian tradition seated around this dialogue table have offered presentations on their tradition's understanding of Baptism, Eucharist and Ministry.  Currently, the group is still reflecting on the Ministry section of this document. 

This group, unique in all of Pennsylvania, continues to provide representatives of various Christian traditions in our area the opportunity to get to know and understand each other better.  The hope is that the work done by this group would be carried back to local parish communities.  It would be on the local level that we hope to increase opportunities for shared prayer, serious theological dialogue and work for the betterment of humanity.  What we do at this group we hope is someday mirrored on the local level.