ELCA-ECUSA in East Tennessee

by Pam Doty, Editor
It all began as a matter of practicality. Neither the Episcopal Church nor the Lutheran Church had a presence in Jefferson County. So, two ecumenically minded ministers in Morristown got together and planted the seed for an Episcopal-Lutheran congregation in 1997, prior to the any agreements on common mission. St. Barnabas has sprung from that planting.

The Rev. Mark Neville of the Church of the Good Shepherd (Evangelical Lutheran Church of America-ELCA), Morristown and the Rev. Louis "Smoky" Oats, then rector of All Saints' (Episcopal Church of the United States of America--ECUSA), Morristown encouraged members of their respective congregations from Jefferson County to give the project a year. On June 8, 1997, the congregation began worshiping at Holy Trinity Catholic Church.

At the end of that first year, several of the families returned to their previous congregations, leaving only ten or so families to sort out the next step. They persevered. With strong lay leadership from both the Lutheran and the Episcopal contingents and the assistance of supply priests and rectors from both traditions, the congregation has grown and presently approximately 40 families attend on a regular basis.
Senior Warden/President Greg Foreman said, "We have a good foundation. We can offer fellowship now. We have begun some long term thinking. It has taken us three years to know where we are and what we're going to do. Now we have plans."

The congregation thinks of itself as one congregation, not two congregations worshiping in the same space. They honor each tradition. Their liturgy reflects both traditions. Their lay leadership comes from both traditions as do their ministers. The Rev. Paul Parlow, and the Rev. David Dearman have led the services and Pastor Neville and the Rev. Phil Purser (All Saints' rector) have provided pastoral care.

The congregation is also receiving "intentional" care from the bishops of both traditions and Mission Development officers from both traditions are providing support and guidance in accordance with Called to Common Mission passed by the governing bodies of both Churches.

On Sunday, January 7, following the official beginning of Called to Common Mission in the Episcopal and ELCA Church, Greg Foreman, said, "Today we're legitimate. We always thought it would happen. We had a lot at stake. The congregation would probably have dissolved if the CCM had not passed at General Convention."

In everything the congregation undertakes, both Lutheran and Episcopal views are considered. Every committee has representatives of both traditions and the Mission Council is composed of both Lutherans and Episcopalians. And, at their Semi-Annual Meeting on January 7, they decided to provide monetary support to both churches.

Under the leadership of Foreman, Junior Warden/Vice President Jay Weigel, Secretary Rea Johnson and Treasurer Margaret Leslie, the congregation is moving forward. Said Foreman, "We aspire to be one church serving God in Jefferson County."

The St. Barnabas Episcopal-Lutheran Worshiping Community is "Called by God to encourage visible Christian unity by proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ in liturgical worship, caring fellowship, sound education and loving service.