This past Memorial Day, 113 people gathered together in Plainview, Nebraska from Our Savior’s Lutheran Church and the local congregations from the United Methodist Church, UCC, Missouri Synod Lutheran, and Catholic churches. They gathered for a joint communion service, standing side-by-side in fellowship with others.

The gathering was in advance of the upcoming 958-51 vote at August’s ELCA Churchwide Assembly that adopted a full communion agreement with the United Methodist Church.

Full communion is not a merger. But it means that the two churches express a common confession of Christian faith; mutual recognition of Baptism and sharing Holy Communion; join worship and freedom to exchange members; agree to mutual recognition of ordained ministers for service in either church; express a common commitment to evangelism, witness and service; engage in common decision-making on critical matters; and a mutual lifting of criticisms that may exist between the churches.

According to Pastor Nathan Metzger, “It is important to recognize our sisters and brothers in Christ beyond the walls of the congregation. It was a moment in ministry where we came together instead of being divided.”

Metzger said that the service was an excellent way to celebrate word and sacrament with others. The gathering also started the churches to work together with local youth ministry as well as holding a joint Christmas Cantata.

Our Savior’s is one of several ELCA mission centers to lead or participate in ecumenical services recently. Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Beatrice is also leading a local ecumenical worship effort on Jan. 21 aimed at recognizing a Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

Pastor David Frye said Holy Cross has a strong tradition of reaching out to serve the Beatrice community.

“The service will achieve what we envision for it if at least handfuls of people from several traditions gather together and worship the one Triune God who makes us one,” Frye said.

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