'Full Communion' Event to Seal Lutheran-Episcopal Tie

WASHINGTON, Jan. 2 (RNS)--The stately Washington National Cathedral will be the site of a colorful celebration of "full communion" between the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the Episcopal Church at 10:30 a.m. Saturday--the Feast of the Epiphany--as the two churches join to celebrate a new relationship for the 21st century.

Hundreds are expected at the cathedral to celebrate the implementation of the "Called to Common Mission" agreement, which will allow the two churches--with a combined membership of 7.7 million--to swap clergy and share in common mission projects.

The accord, ratified by Lutherans in 1999 and the Episcopalians in 2000, stops far short of an outright merger but allows the two denominations from divergent historical backgrounds to weave their ministries together.

"There is no more fitting way to launch our shared mission and ministry than by hearing Christ's promise and welcoming his presence in this eucharistic service," said Lutheran Presiding Bishop H. George Anderson, who will lead the communion portion of the service.

The Rt. Rev. Frank T. Griswold, presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church, will deliver the sermon and preside over the renewal of baptismal vows of the hundreds of guests and dignitaries.

The accord has taken 40 years of dialogue to resolve and overcome sharp disagreement. The first draft was floated by the Episcopalians in 1991 and ratified in 1997. Lutherans, however, failed by just six votes to pass the measure the same year. The final draft was passed by Lutherans in 1999, and then by the Episcopalians last July.

The agreement will allow both churches to share precious resources in rural and urban areas. The future of the deal is best seen in places like Bridgton, Maine, where the Rev. David Snyder, a Lutheran, serves as pastor to St. Peter Episcopal Church, a 45-member parish without a full-time pastor.

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