Port Alberni in British Columbia, Canada, is ahead of the times. The Anglican parish of St Alban's and Christ the King Lutheran church joined in shared ministry a year ahead of the official entering into full communion between the Anglican Church of Canada and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Canada (ELCC).
"We feel we are on the cutting edge," says Michael McGee, the Anglican priest who is the pastor of the new joint congregation. "We're pioneering, celebrating already the sense of a common bond in worship and ministry."
The Lutheran congregation had approached St Alban's with the idea of the two churches joining together. Christ the King was experiencing an ageing, dwindling membership, and who were unable to resource their ministry effectively.
"We were in financial trouble - we worried more than we worshipped," says Lutheran Vera Seydel. "We had two choices, either close down completely, or join another church."
The merger was sealed in June 2000 at a covenanting service, presided over by Bishop Barry Jenks, and Dean of the Vancouver Island conference of the ELCC, the Revd Jerry Mitchison. The two congregations worship together using the facilities and ordained ministry of St Alban's, but maintaining their separate identities. Christ the King Lutheran church still exists and continues to be affiliated to ELCC.
People's Warden, Ileen Berard, explains that St Alban's had experienced a split in its congregation in 1996 when the then Rector and a significant number of the congregation left to form a community church. "It was a iffy that we were going to survive," she says. "We were pleased when the Lutherans came forward and gave us a spurt in growth. The new members have given us a boost and make us feel like we're doing something right."
"This is a very important step," says Vera Seydel. "It will show other small struggling congregations it can be done instead of closing the church. When you close a church, at least 50% of people don't find a new church. They drift away."
"It gives the Lutherans a sense of fellowship," says Rector Michael McGee, agreeing that the merger has made a difference to both congregations, "and gives St Alban's a sense of being fuller."
Item from: Diocesan Post