Couple keeps the faith

During their 15 years of marriage, David and Janice Rowell have learned from each other, shared traditions and come to identify their family as Christian.

That's because Mr. Rowell is a parishioner of St. Vincent de Paul Church in Albany while his wife is pastor of Scotia United Methodist Church.

"We're first of all Christians," Rev. Rowell said. "We share that in common. It gives our marriage and our family strength."

Common points

"We share Christ," Rev. Rowell said. "Christ is the central focus. In terms of worship, our liturgies are similar: We share the Lord's Prayer, Baptism and the lectionary."

Her husband agreed, saying, "We share our belief in Christ as our savior. That is a fundamental belief. We also share social justice traditions."

Teaching each other

Mr. Rowell has been impressed with the role of the laity in the Methodist Church. "I've had a chance to see how Methodist clergy work," he said. "It's important to them to work with the laity, real important."

He believes the Catholic Church can also learn about the role of women from the Methodists.

"The Catholic Church has a long way to go as far as women in leadership," he said. "Women in the Methodist Church have more power in decision-making. The gifts women can provide are not realized in the Catholic Church. Shortly before our first child was born, Jan gave a sermon on 'the labor of Christians.' That perspective the Catholic Church hasn't been able to experience."

Wider role

"It's the grass roots," Mr. Rowell said. "That's where the church will change. That's where people will experience community."

Rev. Rowell said the Catholic Church released an important statement on ecumenical marriages ten years ago and called it "a powerful statement on preparing ecumenical couples for marriage. It said that ecumenical couples are a sign to the Church of the triumph of the love of the Lord over the divisions in the churches. When ecumenical couples are struggling, it's a sign of the brokenness of the whole body."

That statement, she said, has helped her to see the important role her marriage has. "We are part of the healing of the Church," she said.

Enriching

Mr. Rowell shared the story of his wife working with a couple prior to their child's baptism. "Jan was doing baptismal counseling. The woman bowed her head and said, 'You know, my husband is Catholic.' Jan said: 'Mine is, too.' She was able to see the woman's body language change."

While being a part of an ecumenical couple has enriched Rev. Rowell's ministry, there have been perks for Mr. Rowell as well. "I've had the opportunity to experience programs and extended Bible study that I wouldn't have had, had I not been married to a member of the clergy," he said.

Welcome

Now, on Sundays, Mr. Rowell attends a Bible study class at the Methodist Church and then Mass at St. Vincent's. The family goes to the Easter vigil and Christmas Mass at St. Vincent's.

Rev. Rowell had the opportunity to preach at St. Vincent's during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in January.

Family life

Being married to a minister has helped Mr. Rowell have an understanding of the clerical life. "Jan makes a major effort to balance things," he said. "Any clergy that spends all of their time working is doing themselves a disservice."

Rev. Rowell understands that ministry can be challenging to family life; however, she has found being married has helped in her ministry.

"Dave is very supportive of my work," she said. "I feel we're very much a team. It's also been good for my children because they've grown up knowing that other people have needs, too."

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