Present: Victoria Barnett, James Bernauer, Mary Boys, Robert Cathey, Phil Cunningham, Alice Eckardt, Eugene Fisher, Katharina von Kellenbach, Michael McGarry, Esther Menn, Peter Pettit, Elena Procario-Foley, Jean-Pierre Ruiz, Karla Suomala

1. Approval of the minutes of the last meeting

The minutes of the October 6, 2012 meeting were unanimously approved as submitted.

2. Committee Reports

Membership Committee:

JPR presented the report of the committee, recommending that Robert Cathey, Philip Cunningham, Peter Pettit, and Jean-Pierre Ruiz be re-elected for a subsequent five year term. The membership unanimously approved the recommendation.

The committee considered the possibility of inviting Reginald Williams to become a member of the CSG. The CSG voted unanimously to invite Reginald Williams to join the CSG. KvK will send a draft letter to the membership committee for its review and revision.

Program Committee:

The Fall meeting of the CSG will take place at Iona College in conjunction with the CCJR meeting October Friday, October 18 to Sunday, October 20, 2013. The committee opened the floor to possible program proposals.

The members commended the program committee for its excellent work in preparing the program for the Spring 2013 meeting.
M. McGarry proposed that Paul Knitter be invited to present a paper at the Fall 2013 meeting, or to the Spring 2014 meeting, because her will be retiring from Union Theological Seminary. [Paul has accepted our invitation to join us at the Spring 2014 meeting.]
M. McGarry called for suggestions from the membership regarding work-in-progress.
P. Cunningham suggested that there be a report on the Promise, Land, and Hope project.
J-P Ruiz expressed willingness to present a paper on Liberation Theology and its implications for Christian-Jewish Dialogue, in conjunction with the presentation at the August 13-15 Promise, Land, and Hope meeting
K. Suomala expressed willingness to present a report on her involvement with the Eboo Patel Interfaith Youth Corps interfaith studies curriculum project.
E. Menn will be giving a paper on Israel and the Land in Jewish biblical theology, “The View from Mount Pisgah,” and offered to present at the Fall 2013 meeting.
The Exhibit on John Paul II and the Jewish People: A Blessing to One Another will be at BC in Spring 2014. It was suggested that there be a panel on this exhibit.
Possible dates for the Spring 2014 meeting (at Boston College): March 28-30, 2014

3. Old Business

The CSG moved that we express thanks to J. Bernauer, to Camille Markey, and to Boston College for their gracious hospitality.

The Creed Project has come to a close

E. Fisher noted that 2015 is the 50^th anniversary of Nostra Aetate and suggested that the group draft a statement. Discussion ensued, including:

P. Cunningham added that the distinctive perspective of the CSG is its ecumenical dimension. A focus on what questions remain might be a useful focus.
A. Eckardt suggested that we also refer to a contemporary Protestant document
M. Boys suggested that something on the order of A Sacred Obligation be drafted, and suggested that we deal with some specific Scripture texts that occur in the lectionary, particularly during Advent, Lent & Easter. This would be more useful than a statement of general principles.
P. Cunningham identified the lectionary question as an issue that remains unresolved 50 years after Nostra Aetate.
K. Suomala suggested that we consider the phenomenon of interfaith marriage. We should be involved in these discussions.
E. Procario Foley, in the light of the lectionary discussion, invited us to include consideration of hymnals.
E. Menn: Would CSG consider cooperation with Luther Seminary’s Working Preacher project?
J-P Ruiz proposed a session for the Fall 2013 meeting where CSG would devote considerable time to planning and brainstorming our projects moving forward.
E. Procario Foley offered to approach Anselm Academic toward possible collaborative projects.
K. von Kellenbach suggested that we take time to do some “homework” prior to the fall 2013 meeting: in the light of the 50^th anniversary of Nostra Aetate, how should the CSG move into the future. What are the questions that remain open? What issues call for further attention? What learnings from CSG’s past are relevant? What are the public responsibilities of CSG?
J-P Ruiz will receive recommendations from the membership for a statement.

K. von Kellenbach will continue as chair for one additional year. A process needs to be put in place for a nominations committee to move forward. It was suggested that the past three chairs serve as a nominating committee.

The meeting adjourned at 12:10 PM

Respectfully Submitted

Jean-Pierre Ruiz

Spring 2013