April 6, 2018 at 1:53 p.m.
OUR NEIGHBOR'S FAITH
Troy churches reminisce about ecumenical bond
Twenty-four years ago, St. Augustine's Catholic parish, Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Trinity Episcopal Church, the United Methodist Church and First Presbyterian Church came together to observe Good Friday.
At that time, the people processed between St. Augustine's, Trinity Episcopal, United Methodist and First Presbyterian, since Prince of Peace was a bit too far to walk. Early in the history of our walk, we'd have 500 or so in the procession.
Much has changed since those early days, the hardest of which was the very recent death of the Rev. Richard Schue, recently-retired pastor of Prince of Peace. Rev. Schue was the founder of the walk and had been active in this observance longer than any other pastor in the community.
The United Methodist and First Presbyterian congregations united into Cornerstone Community Church about four years back, and the Joy of Troy Seventh Day Adventist congregation joined the walk a year later.
The crowds have dwindled over the years as it became harder for members of the community to take off work for a three-hour observance; so, this year, we instituted an hour-long observance over the lunch hour while remaining in one building.
This year, St. Augustine's hosted us in their beautiful and inspiring sanctuary. Each pastor - Rev. James Spenard, OSA, of St. Augustine's; Rev. Keith Hollis, OSA, chaplain of Merrimack College, North Andover, Mass.; Rev. John Kelly, pastor of Trinity Episcopal; Rev. Miguel Crespo, pastor of Joy of Troy Seventh Day Adventist; and Rev. Allen Siebold, pastor of Cornerstone Community Church - spoke on the seven last words of Jesus.
We were graced with Elder Hugh Langley of Joy of Troy SDA singing two beautiful a cappella gospel hymns, and the choir of Cornerstone Community Church singing an inspiring anthem, "Without His Cross."
Next year, we hope that perhaps the Prince of Peace congregation will be able to host us.
Much has changed, but the basic Christian fellowship between the mainline congregations of Lansingburgh remains strong and vital.
Over the years, we have learned that sharing ecumenically doesn't mean we have to agree in all matters. It means we are able to share in a common faith and trust in Jesus the Christ.
Some of our beliefs and worship patterns differ, but it is as if our separate congregations bring different flavorings to our common time together. What we have learned from each other in worship translates well among community members throughout all the weeks of the year, as we live and work side by side, feeding and clothing the needy in our midst.
How appropriate that each year, on the day commemorating the death of the One who was born to save, diverse faith traditions can come together, bridging our differences, to worship the One who draws all people to Himself.
(Rev. Siebold is pastor of Cornerstone Community Church in Lansingburgh.)[[In-content Ad]]
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