Lutheran

By Christie Meredith Wills Reprinted from the Diocese
of Southwestern Virginia's Epiphany July/August 2003

Two parishes in the Diocese of Southwestern Virginia, Trinity, Moneta and Good Shepherd, Galax, have had ecumenical congregations much longer than the three-year-old agreement between the Lutheran and Episcopal churches.

As Bishop Neff Powell says, “We are ahead of the curve on this.”

Trinity Ecumenical Parish in Moneta

Officially launched in 1991, Trinity Ecumenical Parish was formed when Presbyterian, Episcopal and Lutheran leaders surveyed the Smith Mountain Lake area and each concluded there weren't enough members to support a church of their own.

In the early years, Trinity parishioners borrowed a local Methodist church and a Catholic church in which to hold their services.

Now Trinity has expanded its seating to hold 450, and recently added a three-story education and music ministry wing and tripled the size of the parish hall.

Church leaders were comfortable undertaking the capital campaign because they believe their membership will continue to grow at a rate of 5-10 percent each year.

Gary Scheidt, Presbyterian pastor of the congregation, believes the success of the congregation is not just due to rapid population growth at the lake.

“It was the right place at the right time with the right ministry,” said Scheidt.
He says the church draws on the strengths of all three traditions. “For some it doesn't work. They want to be in a place that is immersed in one custom. But we've found that the people at the lake have a pioneering kind of spirit.”

Good Shepherd Parish in Galax

Founded in 1977, Good Shepherd began as an Episcopal congregation but later formed a joint congregation with the Lutherans.

The church has recently purchased land to construct their own building. During the process, they drew on the guidance provided by both denominations.

“In our fundraising we used a guide from the Episcopal Church Building Fund, but we also had a visit from the mission officer of the Lutheran synod,” said the rector, Harold Morgan.

Bishop Powell said that he worked with Lutheran bishop Jim Mauney in hiring a priest for the church. They were open to approving a priest of either church and, “We just happened to find an Episcopal priest first,” said Powell.
The congregation is well known in the community for its ministry of hospice.

Liturgical/organizational distinctions

Good Shepherd differs from Trinity in that at Good Shepherd Holy Communion is common among everyone at the church. At Trinity, all receive bread from the celebrant, but choose either consecrated wine or grape juice according to their denominational tradition.

The churches operate differently on an organizational level as well.

Federated congregations

Morgan says the church is petitioning the diocese for a change in the canons to recognize federated congregations - churches like Good Shepherd that belong to both Episcopal and Lutheran judicatories.

A federated church has just one governing body instead of a board representing several traditions like Trinity. Trinity's governance is considered a “union” congregation.

Morgan believes Good Shepherd is one of the earliest Episcopal-ecumenical congregations in the country.
“They are true pioneers in this ministry,” said Morgan.

Bishops sharing joint ministries and a good relationship

Powell and Mauney have lunch together at least every other month. They are pleased with the ministries of the two congregations and are open to other opportunities to share joint ministry.

“We have a good personal relationship, and that has certainly helped because there aren't a lot of Episcopalians in these parts and there aren't a lot of Lutherans either,” said Powell.