Denomination Backs ‘Full Communion’

The United Church of Christ has decided to unite with three other Protestant denominations, sharing congregations and ministers with the denominations for the first time since the 16th century. At the church’s convention in Columbus, more than 700 delegates--representing 1.5 million members--voted to accept the plan for “full communion.” The unification proposal, which would allow joint congregations, minister exchanges and shared sacraments, was approved earlier this year by the 2.7-million-member Presbyterian Church (USA) and the 400,000-member Reformed Church in America. The 5.2-million-member Evangelical Lutheran Church of America is to vote on it in August.