Loading...The bishops of the Episcopal Diocese of Kentucky and the Indiana-Kentucky Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America celebrated the creation of a new faith community and joint ministry at Christ Episcopal Church in Elizabethtown on Tuesday, Jan. 25, the last day of the worldwide observance for Christian Unity.
"It is good to be here," Bishop William O. Gafkjen of the ELCA's Indiana-Kentucky Synod said emphatically, joyfully as he began his reflections during the service. Expressing his gratitude, he praised the Rev. Alice Nichols and the Christ Church congregation for their "deep and profound hospitality and partnership." Christ Church, he said, has offered a "nesting place" for the "remnant" of ELCA Lutherans in Elizabethtown whose former church decided to disaffiliate with the ELCA. "You have given them a place to be and pray and talk together, even welcoming them into the choir," he said, gesturing to the Lutherans seated behind.
The Episcopal congregation and ELCA members began worshiping together last December after the House of Prayer Lutheran Church decided to disaffiliate with the ELCA in response to the denomination's decision in 2009 to allow clergy who were in publicly accountable, lifelong, monogamous, same-gender relationships. Five and a half years ago, Christ Church experienced a similar split when members of its congregation left The Episcopal Church.
"As the Christ Church folks know, God works through these moments of unity. We are moving from Good Friday through Holy Saturday ... but Easter is coming," Gafkjen said. "We're here to celebrate that call to common mission as a people of the cross."
In his reflections during the service, Episcopal Bishop Terry Allen White noted that 10 years ago this month the two denominations fortuitously ratified the Lutheran Episcopal agreement "Called to Common Mission," by which the denominations may share pastors and establish worshiping communities that share the mission strategy of the combined denominations. "We are here together to understand now what is next." To Christ Church members who may have asked "Lord, why are we going through this?" after their church split, White suggested an answer, noting that they have been "prepared to help heal and welcome" their new partners in mission. The new community, he said, may know "profound joy" and may experience some "little bumps along the way," but it will have God's love and grace through which we are called to love, forgive, heal, praise God and serve.
The church, preparing to celebrate its 160th anniversary, was filled with about 60 worshipers, who included not only the Lutheran and Episcopal members of Christ Church but also visitors from another Lutheran-Episcopal congregation, Messiah Trinity Church in Louisville, according to Nichols. Two newcomers from the Lutheran community in Elizabethtown also came, she said.
The new ELCA faith community has about 12 members, including the newcomers, said Nichols. Christ Church has about 140 active members, according to its 2009 parochial report. Decisions still have to be made about the worship services and joint ministries, said Nichols. The two groups, however, already have a history of joint mission, as Christ Church has had a covenantal relationship with the Lutheran and Roman Catholic churches in Elizabethtown for several years.
Above Photo: Episcopal Bishop Terry Allen White (foreground) and Lutheran Bishop William O. Gafkjen greet congregants after the joint service at Christ Episcopal Church in Elizabethtown. Click here to see more photos by Schley Cox
LINKS
Indiana-Kentucky Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
//www.iksynod.org/
Diocese of Kentucky
//www.episcopalky.org/
Christ Episcopal Church
//christepiscopalchurch.episcopalky.org/
Bishop William O. Gafkjen
//www.iksynod.org/Whats_New/BishopMessages/fromBishopGafkjen.html
Bishop Terry Allen White
//www.episcopalky.org/bishop/bishopwhite.html
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
//www.elca.org/
The Episcopal Church
//www.episcopalchurch.org/index.htm
