I don't know Kevin. I agree with much of what you say about the challenges of Christian unity (although my family reunions are a lot more staid than yours I think) but I think hospitality has to enter into this. And perhaps I'm just a cranky Anglican but asking an Anglican to celebrate, knowing that Anglican clergy are required to use authorized eucharistic prayers, and then being angry when she is not allowed to celebrate seems like inviting a vegetarian to dinner, asking them to do the honour of carving the roast and then being angry when they decline the honour. If you are going to be a good host I don't think you put a guest in that position.
Erin,
The Anglican story was more about how we encounter our differences than the differences themselves.
It's also been my experience that Anglican bishops aren't uniform on this issue of "approved prayers." I was told that a previous bishop would have been much more open to other liturgies than the ones that had been approved by General Synod.
In fact, I was told (by the Dean) that the bishop would simply "rubber stamp" our liturgy.
Many Anglican clergy thought that, in the spirit of Full Communion, Anglican priests should be able to serve at Lutheran tables according to the tradition and spirit of the particular congregation, given that Lutherans are congregational.
Also, for me, its also about partnership. When CAN Lutherans and Anglicans worship together in ways that reflect the freedom that comes from being Lutheran? I often feel (and this is happens more in the east than out here in Alberta) that Anglicans are okay with Full Communion as long as we do things the Anglican way (i.e. liturgy, ordination of bishops, etc)
It seems to me, that, while I like and respect the Anglican tradition, Lutherans gave up much more than we received in return when we negotiated the Waterloo Declaration.
Oops! This sounds like a long, defensive rant. It's not intended to be.
kgp
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