The American Association of Interchurch Families’ 2008 Biennial Conference will gather in Louisville June 27-29 at Laws Lodge on the Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary campus. On Friday evening, June 27, Daniel Olsen of Loyola University (Chicago) will speak on the pastoral care of Interchurch Families as "Domestic Church," the subject of his recently completed doctoral dissertation research.  The increased frequency of "mixed marriages" or "interchurch marriages"-in some churches now involving as many as 40-60% of the members-has warranted serious study and discussion of pastoral responses to the gifts and needs of such families..
 
Both interchurch spouses, by definition, remain active in their own churches, participate to varying degrees in one another's church, and take an active role in the religious education of their children.  However, there is no single blueprint for interchurch couples.  No two interchurch couples are alike.  What they do have in common though are: They do not try to "convert" each other. They do not try to form a "third church." They do not seek out a compromise church. They share their faith journeys in positive ways so that they can nurture and support one another.
 
Pope Benedict XVI has observed that interchurch marriages "can lead to the formation of a practical laboratory for unity. For this to happen there is a need for mutual goodwill, understanding and maturity of faith in both partners, and also in the communities from which they come" [Benedict XVI Warsaw 2006]
 
For this reason, we extend an open invitation to the Friday evening keynote speech of Daniel Olsen (free of charge) on the campus of the Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary at 7:30 p.m. (EDT).  Especially welcome are interested interchurch couples, both those who are already married and those contemplating an interchurch marriage between spouses from different Christian denominations; their extended families who love them and want to be supportive of that interchurch marriage; their clergy who give them pastoral care as an interchurch family. Please email me at maryjaneglauber2001@yahoo.com to reserve a seat at Friday evening's keynote address.  
All other events for the conference will require a full registration. Pre- and post- conference outings have been planned. We will go to the backside of Churchill Downs to see the horses work out early in the morning for a private tour. We will visit sites pertaining to the early Catholic History of Kentucky and the Abbey of Gethsemani.

Saturday's ecumenical panel of local pastors and theologians will explore the "pastoral possibilities" for living as an interchurch family at 10 a.m.  (EDT). They have each been very active and dedicated to interchurch families. Our afternoon workshop speakers are experts in ecumenism and family life, especially as it pertains to interchurch families.
 
A flier that can be posted on church bulletin boards, along with the conference agenda, and registration materials can be found at the AAIF website at http://www.aifusa.org/2008.html
 
Out of town guests need to reserve their rooms at Laws Lodge by May 16. All other registration forms are due by June 1, 2008. 
 
The Odling-Smees, an interchurch couple from Belfast, Northern Ireland, have made plans too to attend this AAIF conference.  They have been active in the peace process in Northern Ireland and especially in the creation of "integrated schools" in Belfast.  Ruth Reardon of England, who with her husband Martin coined the term, "interchurch families," will participate and contribute to our discussions. Canadian interchurch couples are also registered for the conference. The American Association of Interchurch Families is part of a world wide organization of interchurch families that is called IFIN, the Interchurch Families International Network.  http://www.interchurchfamilies.org/aifworld.pdf
 
For continuing updates about the 2008 AAIF Conference in Louisville, please see the American Association of Interchurch Families website at www.aifusa.org