On Saturday, January 6, the Epiphany of Our Lord, a “Celebration of Full Communion” between the Episcopal Church and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) was held at the Cathedral Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, also known as the Washington National Cathedral, in Washington, D.C.

Representatives of Church Publishing (including Marilyn Haskel, Valerie Pyfrom, Mary O’Shaughnessy, Sean Scheller and myself, Tony Vitale) joined 3,500 other congregants.  Besides Marilyn (who was on the Liturgy Planning Committee), CPI was involved in the co-publication of the service booklet with Augsburg Fortress, the Lutheran publishing house.

The celebration was the culmination of thirty years of discussion, resulting in the compact known as “Called to Common Mission.”  It is not a merger between the two churches; each retains its own structure and worship style.  Rather, it was an agreement enabling Lutherans and Episcopalians to celebrate the Eucharist together and to share clergy, churches and missionary work.

There was a mix of liturgical responsibilities between denominations.  H. George Anderson, Presiding Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, was the celebrant; our Presiding Bishop, Frank T. Griswold III, was preacher.  Also attending were Anderson’s predecessor, Herbert W. Chilstrom, and Edmond Lee Browning, our previous Presiding Bishop.

The service began with six anthems performed by the St. Olaf Choir, representing the Lutheran Church.  Also singing was the Washington National Cathedral Choir of Men, Boys, and Girls.  Instrumental music was provided by the Washington Symphonic Brass along with other accompanists.

The service opened with a renewal of the Baptismal Covenant.  Bishop Griswold’s sermon began with a quote from Martin Luther that “as we come together to affirm our call to common mission as two households of faith within the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church, we do so within the context of Eucharist.”

The Prayers of the People, designed especially for this service, were read in languages used by members of the two churches.  The offering will support cooperative ministries between the Episcopal Relief and Development Fund, Lutheran Disaster Response and Lutheran World Relief.

A memorable moment came when the two Presiding Bishops gave each other Communion, followed by all the congregants receiving from the hands of Lutheran and Episcopal clergy.

Jesus said, “In my Father’s house there are many rooms.”  From now on, the rooms of Lutherans and Episcopalians will be adjoining.

More details about Saturday’s historic service can be found at the Episcopal News Service site.

Culture © 2001 Anthony Francis Vitale for the T.V.O.D. Companies

The prophet Joel tells us, “Rend your hearts and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord, your God.”