Ecumenism provides place for worship

"I feel it's what should be done -- extending Christ's care to others in times of tragedy," said Rev. James Gulley, St. Mary's pastor. "We're sharing what we have in abundance, and I've always believed the Lord will take care of our needs in a special way also."

Services for United Presbyterian's parishioners are being celebrated at St. Mary's Institute every Sunday while they plan for a new church. A community gathering took place at St. Mary's Church the night after the fire. In addition, students at St. Mary's Institute will raise money for the Presbyterian community through a bake sale and ice cream sale.

This outpouring of support by St. Mary's parishioners and students is what good Christians should do for others in need, Father Gulley pointed out in the middle of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

Ashes and tears

"As soon as I heard about the fire, I called him, and we both ended up crying," Father Gulley said. "I had lunch with Rev. Wheeler about a month ago, and he was so excited about the renovation."

"I just broke down, and it wasn't breaking down because of sadness but of joy," Rev. Wheeler said. "It's incredible how Father Gulley and the people of St. Mary's have poured their hearts out for us. It's what it means to be in a Christian community and the Body of Christ. We show that by how we love one another."

Long haul

About 50 members of United Presbyterian attended last Sunday's 8:30 a.m. service at St. Mary's, and nearly 200 came for the 10:30 a.m. service, Rev. Wheeler said. It will take about two-and-a-half years to rebuild the church.

The night after the fire, 400 people attended a community gathering at St. Mary's Church. "We set up 100 chairs in the hall, but when we saw the crowd, we had to move to the church," Father Gulley said. "People who never knew each other were sharing concerns and expressing gratitude. This is a way of uniting all Christians in Amsterdam in hope with help."

Community effort

"Whether people attended or remembered United Presbyterian or not, it didn't matter," he said. "The church was a centerpiece of the city for many years, and people had their folks married there and children baptized there, and it meant something to people."

There was sadness among those who attended, but United Presbyterian's parishioners seem ready to face the challenge of rebuilding their church.

"It was part of the grieving process, but it ended on a high note because the church is people, and they can rebuild a building and be stronger as Christians," Father Gulley said. "They're going to build a new church building, and their foundation is going to be much stronger going through all this."

Everyone helps

St. Mary's isn't the only group of Amsterdam Catholics helping United Presbyterian through this ordeal. St. Casimir's Church is allowing the congregation to use space for its Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, and St. Mary's Hospital has donated supplies.

Rev. Wheeler has a daughter who attended Bishop Scully High School -- now the site of St. Mary's Institute -- and his three daughters all attended Doane Stuart School in Albany, an ecumenical institution. He has preached at St. Mary's Church and attended the 50th anniversary of Msgr. Edward Glavin's ordination and his funeral, both at St. Mary's.

The response from St. Mary's and other non-Catholic congregations since the fire has been incredible, and Rev. Wheeler has heard from people as far away as Honolulu and India offering their support. "It's amazing, the number of people who've contacted me," he said.

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