My friend, Jackie, and I have a lot in common. We both moved from the Midwest to New York. We both married New Yorkers and started raising a family in the same part of the Bronx. Our children have attended the same public schools. We share similar interests, have the same political viewpoints and our families often spend the New Year’s holidays together.
Now, we have something else in common. Jackie is an active member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, which voted Aug. 20 at its churchwide assembly in Minneapolis to enter into “full communion” with The United Methodist Church. Our church approved the same agreement last year.
One of the distinct features of United Methodism is its connectional system. That connection has just officially expanded. Partnerships between United Methodists and Lutherans have existed in the past, but the potential of this new relationship – exchanging pastors, working more closely together on specific social programs, delving deeper into theological questions – is just beginning.
At the end of May, I went to a Sunday service at Jackie’s church – a small congregation that worships in the chapel of the Seafarers & International House in Manhattan – to witness her daughter’s confirmation. While there were some obvious differences, most notably the singing of some parts of the service in a cantor-like fashion, I felt comfortable there.
I hope Jackie will feel the same way in any United Methodist church.
Monday, August 24, 2009
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This is another Sham! Another pseudo way of saying we are The church when we are not. There can not be and will never be full communion with any denomination as long as United Methodists deny the Love of God for all People, meaning as long as GLBT people are not welcomed and loved, there will never be communion. In addition the ELCA just voted approval of Gay and Lesbian Clergy. That separates us even farther from them. So to say that the ELCA now has full communion with UMC is a sham and a denial of the love of God to all People. Just becamse one denominations is willing to eat at the communion table of another, does not mean there is communion. There is NONE as long as any deonmination selective picks and chooses who is in and out of God's love and welcome.
ReplyDeleteRev. Thomas L. Shanklin, Retired
Conference Secretary for 18 years to Troy Conference.
I certainly don't want them eating at my table! Why you and the rest of the UMC's left wing loonies just join their church?
ReplyDeleteI have been worshipping at St. Timothy's ELCA in Allentown, Pa, almost from the day I retired 5 years ago. I took a position of Director of Outreach with them, and in that position I have preached and served Holy Communion, even before the current "full communion." What I like about communion at St. Tim's is that is is weekly (sounds very John Wesleyan) and they serve "real " communion (wine instead of grape juice, although that is available). So I am very happy that both the UMC and the ELCA have entered into "full communion" with each other. I'm already there. God does work in wondrous ways, sometimes.
ReplyDeleteRev. Dr. Gerald J. Rounds
Retired
Greater New Jersey Annual Conference.
PS. Hi, Tom.
How can we be in true communion when we as United Methodists do not condone what the ELCA just voted on regarding homosexual clergy? I am afraid that these kind of loose knit connections with denominations that are going down a path contrary to the Word of God is going to bring even more instability in the UMC. This is not about love. The bible strictly says we are to love all people no matter who they are, what they have done, or are currently doing. But the bible also very clearly tells us that loving someone and accepting sin are two completely different things. We are not called to accept sin when the bible states that homosexuality is not part of a fruitful Christian life. This is no different than other sins in our lives. Do we want a pastor who is committing adultry to be in our pulpits? Do we want pastors who gossip, lie, and cheat? Of course not. So if we are not going to accept these sins why is it now becoming "popular" to accept the sin of homosexuality in the church?
ReplyDeleteI am very saddened by the ELCA's decision. I believe that the Lutheran understanding of sola scriptura and sola fide are wonderful gifts to the Church. It also saddens me that we are now connected with yet another denomination that has decided to go against scripture. I pray that we can do more to restore the Church to where God is leading us instead of following a path that is directed by society and what it believes to be best. When will the church stop being dictated by the world instead of turning the world upside down for Christ?
I thankfully rejoice in the full communion of my United Methodist Church, USA branch, with the ELCA. We celebrated this communion in Germany 22 years ago, and my best friend is a Lutheran. Thank God, the common ground on which we stand, Christ, is the only one on which Christians can build on in spite of all differences. I am very sad to see how (UM and other) Christians follow the Corinthian model of forming parties - has Christ been divided?
ReplyDeleteDocrustyb The 1000 pound bear is still in the room. The UM disicipline says that "homosexuality is incompitable with christian teaching" And same sex marriages shall not be permitted in our churches or involve our Pastors. The Luthern church has just ok'ed this. And now we recogize each others communion. Where are we?
ReplyDelete