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Hoosier United Methodist News Archives
| Hoosier United Methodists together |
February 2006 |
United Methodists, Lutherans celebrate first Eucharist Sharing in Indiana
By Daniel R. Gangler
INDIANAPOLIS - Hoosiers of both The United Methodist Church and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America celebrated Jan. 29 their first Eucharist Sharing in Indiana. More than 300 pastors, church leaders and other laity worshipped together in a 90-minute service at Saint Luke's United Methodist Church.
Indiana Area United Methodist Bishop Michael J. Coyner was the liturgist and communion celebrant. Bishop James Stuck of the Indiana-Kentucky Synod of the ELCA, preached.
The ecumenical service began at the rear of the chapel around the font as worshippers remembered their common baptism in Christ. The service was punctuated by music from both traditions including Martin Luther's "A Mighty Fortress" played by a brass ensemble with organ and "You Servants of God" by Charles Wesley sung by the ecumenical congregation.
Some United Methodists may have faced a dilemma with the common elements. Both wine and grape juice were served during Communion.
Be connected
In his sermon, Stuck said, "We need to be making connections with one another in ministry. Being together is listening to each other and responding to each other. The nature of God is making connections. God connected with us in Christ. Now it is our turn to connect with each other."
Continuing to use the theme of connection, he touched on several issues of the Christian community. He said we are to be connected with each other even when one sins against you, basing his comments on the sermon text of Matthew 18:15-22.
"We are to make every effort to connect because that is the nature of God. The movement of God's mission is downward and outward to the world. As Christians, it is so important to be working out these connections."
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"We are to make every effort to connect because that is the nature of God." - Bishop James Stuck |
He said, "Connections allow us to be vulnerable. We are called to be vulnerable to one another. That's the nature of God. God became vulnerable for us so that we might be connected with God. God came, lived and died for us. Being vulnerable brings out the grace of God."
Commenting on the ELCA slogan, "living in God's amazing grace," he said God doesn't leave us vulnerable. Using the UMC slogan, "open minds, open hearts, open doors," he questioned, "Isn't that what grace is all about"?
He confessed that the ELCA is struggling with the issue of sexuality. One group is saying, why are we talking about this? Isn't the Bible clear? We are not getting on with our mission."
Stuck said, "I am glad we are talking, because we need to listen to those who are marginalized by the church. If we close off the door, that would be unfortunate. We would miss all the gifts people have to offer. Living in God's amazing grace is being open to those gifts. Usually, we don't want to go there because it is easier not to go there."
He said in the grace of God, we can be met where we are, knowing that God will not leave us there, but will move us in a new direction. He concluded saying, "We can be vulnerable because there is a greater power through us so that all may know God's love in Jesus Christ."
Interim Eucharistic sharing agreement
The United Methodist Council of Bishops approved
an interim Eucharistic sharing agreement with the 4.9 million-member ELCA on May
5, 2005, during its spring meeting in Arlington, Va.
A similar agreement was approved with the Episcopal Church. The long-term plan
is to enter into full with the Lutherans at the 2008 General Conference in Fort
Worth, Texas, and with the Episcopalians at the 2012 General Conference in
Richmond, Va. General Conference is the top legislative body of The United
Methodist Church.
The agreement also encourages joint services of Holy Communion, like the one
Jan. 29 in Indianapolis, following guidelines established by both churches and
looks forward to "the future possibility of a relationship of full ." For more
information about the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, log on to
www.elca.org.
Both denominations are members of the 35-denominational National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA.
Last updated on 25 Apr 2008