Global Mission, Local Impact: ALICUM Reflection from Bishop Amy Current

June 6, 2025 (almost Pentecost) 

Dear ones of the Southeastern Iowa Synod, 

A year ago, Bishop Monnot and I were surprised and honored to be invited as a pair to join ALICUM (Anglican Lutheran International Commission on Unity in Mission) to represent the United States of America. The Lutheran World Federation and the Anglican Communion created this commission to deepen our relationships with one another and to grow in unity as disciples of Jesus ministering together in God’s world. Together with pairs of bishops from across the globe, we (Southeastern Iowa Synod and the Episcopal Diocese of Iowa), we will explore and engage in deepening relationships and growing unity. 

In March, Bishop Monnot and I, gathered in Amman, Jordan with 10 bishop pairs and the Steering Committee for ALICUM. Together, we represented 16 countries. We gathered for worship, learning, fellowship, goal setting, and a pilgrimage to Bethany beyond the Jordan, the site of Jesus’ baptism. We affirmed our baptism, we prayed for all the nations, we shared in the Eucharist, and, the pairs were commissioned for our work ahead. ALICUM will gather together again in 2028 to report on our work together. 

Photo credit: Neil Vigers

One of the things that we, two bishops, have in common is that neither of us had “leadership in global ecumenism” on our bingo card when we became bishops. However, long before being invited into ALICUM, we had begun working together on ways that we could share ministry in some of our under-resourced small church contexts. For both of us, ALICUM seemed like it offered support for what we were already doing together as well as encouragement to continue.

Every Sunday as we leave worship, we are sent out to be Christ’s body in the world. In the same way, after the ALICUM gathering in Jordan, the bishop pairs were sent out to do the work of cultivating unity in mission, each pair in their own context. 

“For the two of us from Iowa, our work will include the areas of youth ministry, communications, public witness, the diaconate, congregational development, and encouraging mutually supportive ministry partnerships between ELCA and Episcopal congregations where they exist in the same communities. The transformative work of building God’s reign includes all of us, not just bishops, and each of us is uniquely called to take part.”

As bishops, it continues to be our honor to serve the people of God as we are called. When God surprises us with unexpected invitations to deepen relationships in the context of this service, it is our joy to grow in unity in ways that we never imagined before. All of us are disciples of Jesus, who prayed for his disciples, “that they may all be one.” (John 17:21a)

I invite your prayer and partnership as we move forward. I invite your prayers for my new colleagues and friends throughout the world. As the two of us bishops, along with each of you who are part of our synod and diocese, continue along this journey, let us join with Jesus in the prayer that we may all be one. We invite each of our congregations to include this intercession in your regular prayers.

Holy God, you call us to be one with you and with each other. Guide and form us, members of the Southeastern Iowa Synod, ELCA, and of the Episcopal Diocese of Iowa, as we grow into greater unity with one another and with you. Open our eyes to see the many gifts that we bring each other, and open our hearts to grow deeper in your love as we both give and receive those gifts. All this we ask through our savior, Jesus Christ, the one Good Shepherd for the one flock. Amen. 

For more information about ALICUM and the gathering in Jordan, please click here.

Peace, 

Bishop Amy Current