Lutherans and Catholics gather for ecumenical service

By Julie Keane, Globe staff reporter
January 29, 2004

Catholics and Lutherans joined together in prayer recently at a service hosted by a Sioux City Catholic parish.

Bishop Michael Last of the Western Iowa Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of American spoke to parishioners of Blessed Sacrament and Saint Johns Lutheran Church in Sioux City about the importance of peace and unity during an ecumenical service that was held last week.

During the Jan. 20 service, Last said he "tipped his hat" to those who had attended the service and said the service was a sign that unity is possible.

The theme this year was "My peace I give you," which was taken from John 14:23. This is the same theme used in services and activities throughout the world for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Bishop Last based his sermon on John 14 to 17.

The ecumenical service was well received by Catholics and Lutherans alike.

"From the cantering to the to the selection of their readings and the Gospel, there was a purpose in what we were doing here," said Gloria Champ, a Blessed Sacrament parishioner. "Like bishop said and father said, we need to think about what we have in common, not our differences."

Bishop Last stressed the importance of unity and spoke about living out the unity that Jesus had set out for his people.

"I liked the bishop's message. I think that this strengthens our faith by living the way Christ taught us, which is to ignore our differences and live together," said Linda Erickson, who is a parishioner of Saint John's and has attended each ecumenical service the two parishes have hosted in recent years.

Champ agreed that the bishop's message about unity and love is important for all Christians.

"It makes me realize that we are brothers and sisters in Christ," Champ said. "Sometimes we tend to look at the differences and we don't need that."

Blessed Sacrament and Saint John's, the two neighboring churches on the Northside, have participated in a total of three services. The first year the service was held at Blessed Sacrament and the second gathering was held at Saint Johns. This year the service was back at Blessed Sacrament.

Some members of both parishes have participated each year and have learned from all three gatherings.

"I have come every year," Helen Erickson from Blessed Sacrament Parish said. "There is a nice sign out in the hall that says 'Let All Be One' and I really believe in that. Christians should get together. This is a step toward ecumenism, and I think that you have to start somewhere."

Rima Hartman from Saint John's Lutheran has not been able to attend the services in the past, she said that she would have liked to attend all three.

"I think that tonight went well," Hartman said. "I feel that there is so much non-Christian world that we Christians have to reach out to each other. That we need to build a bond and a strength to each other and we can teach each other corporation and interaction and love."