Minister advises Catholic group

"Albany is a wonderful area for religious openness," remarked Rev. Maurice Drown, as parishioners, troubled souls looking for a listening ear and youth hired to do summer cleanup popped in and out of his office at Trinity United Methodist Church in Albany.

Rev. Drown, who has been pastor for more than two decades, is committed to ecumenical efforts. Trinity Church is home to not just an inner-city Methodist community, but also a daycare center open to other Albany residents, the offices of the New York State Nutrition Consortium and more (see sidebar).

Even the church's pews are marked with menorahs, symbolizing a time in the early 20th century when Trinity Church burned down and its congregation held services at Temple Beth Emeth for two years while rebuilding.

Catholic link

Rev. Drown is part of several ecumenical and interfaith groups, and serves as Protestant advisor to the Commission on Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs of the Albany Diocese.

"I prize my relationship [with the commission] as Protestant adviser. I have a tremendous relationship with many priests in the Diocese," he told The Evangelist.

He is proud of his connection with Bishop Howard J. Hubbard, whom he believes "sets the tone of religion in the Capital Region," and with Rev. James Kane, head of the commission.

"Father Kane is such an expert" on interfaith issues, said Rev. Drown. "He keeps abreast of the nuances of change."

Making connections

Rev. Drown sees his role on the commission as "lifting up concerns or bringing up the Protestant perspective" on issues.

For example, he has pushed for Catholic parishes to become more involved in outreach to other faith communities in the Capital District and to participate in Crop Walk, an annual fundraiser to combat hunger.

He also promoted the Ecumenical Witnesses at Baptism program, an effort begun in 1995 by the Capital Area Council of Churches to have representatives of different denominations attend baptisms at churches around the area.

"I've been effective in helping to foster relations between Catholic and Protestant parishes," he noted. "Numerous times, I have felt that what I had to say was helpful."

Growing

The Methodist pastor has seen himself change a bit in a dozen years on the Catholic commission.

"We all have stereotypes of institutions," he said. "I've learned a great deal about the approach and openness of the Catholic Church since the Second Vatican Council" in the 1960s.

Rev. Drown believes that ecumenical efforts are more crucial than ever today, as so many conflicts in the world are faith-based. He cited the battle between Israel and Lebanon as one example.

"The world is killing itself," he said bluntly. "There are people who would rather drop bombs than talk with each other -- and these are people of the Abrahamic covenant. Dialogue is hugely important," even when that dialogue is difficult. "We all hunger for communication."

City, minister in dispute

One of Rev. Drown's efforts to be welcoming brought him some unwanted attention lately: He was charged with violating Albany zoning laws for allowing Rev. Joyce Hartwell to move her "New Age Cabaret" into his church's basement.

Rev. Hartwell hosts alcohol-free, all-ages music performances that attract youth, but city officials called the gatherings an illegal nightclub and shut them down.

On July 21, Rev. Drown pleaded not guilty to the charges in Albany's City Court.

Rev. Drown told The Evangelist that Rev. Hartwell's "Artists All-Faith Center" (which sponsors the cabaret at Trinity) "is a church without facilities. Their facility is here. This isn't the police [stopping] some group that's renting the building; this is the police coming into a worship service with a cease-and-desist order."

He was pleased to note that Catholics supported him on his day in court. Among those who attended were representatives from Catholic Charities and the Capital Region Ecumenical Organization (CREO).

The question at issue in this case, said Rev. Drown, is "does a church, in fulfilling its mission as a church, have to receive permission from a municipality? Who could imagine such a thing in the U.S.?" (KB)

(7/27/06) [[In-content Ad]]