June 25, 2010

CHICAGO (ELCA) – Nestled in snow-peaked mountains and visited by outdoor enthusiasts, the city of Big Sky, Mont., can also be known for its "ecumenical hospitality," according to the Rev. Jessica R. Crist, bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Montana Synod.

On June 4 the synod welcomed into membership All Saints in Big Sky, a "union" congregation of the ELCA and the Episcopal Church, and it welcomed Lutheran and Presbyterian United Churches in Hot Springs, Mont., a union congregation of Trinity Lutheran Church and First Presbyterian Church there.

"We are stronger together than apart," said the Rev. Darius I. Larsen, pastor of All Saints in Big Sky. Larsen said Lutherans, Episcopalians, Methodists, Presbyterians and others worship side by side, forming a unique faith community at All Saints. Larsen is an ELCA pastor.

"Half of our worship services use liturgies from The Book of Common Prayer (Episcopalian) and (half use) Evangelical Lutheran Worship. We want to celebrate the best of both traditions, knowing that we are stronger together than apart," he said.

Larsen said members of All Saints are committed to giving 18.5 percent to the ELCA Montana Synod and the same percent for the Episcopal Church. An eight-person council – four Lutherans and four Episcopalians – meets together and make decisions, he said, adding that the council is structured in a way that each faith group can meet independently when needed.

Members of All Saints worship at the Big Sky Chapel, a church building managed by a board of directors. The chapel is also occupied by a Roman Catholic parish and an evangelical Christian fellowship. Big Sky Chapel illustrates "a marvelous ecumenical vision," said Larsen.

Finding strength in combining ministries is also true for members of Lutheran and Presbyterian United Churches. According to the congregation's pastor, the Rev. Janet P. Young, the relationship is going "wonderfully well." Young is an ELCA pastor.

"We encourage congregations in rural areas to consider what we've done. In this way we are able to continue being a strong Christian witness in rural areas," she said.

The relationship between Trinity Lutheran and First Presbyterian initially began three years ago, said Young. Members of First Presbyterian approached Trinity about worshiping and engaging in activities together. Today "our vision is to grow and strengthen in discipleship to (bear) witness to Jesus Christ in our community," she said.

The ELCA shares full communion agreements with the Episcopal Church, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), and the United Methodist Church. Full communion is not a merger. The ELCA has developed relationships with these denominations based on common confessions of the Christian faith and mutual recognitions of Baptism and sharing of the Lord's Supper.

Since the 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly, 12 congregations have left the ELCA Montana Synod. The assembly called for revisions to ministry policy documents, making it possible for eligible Lutherans in publicly accountable, lifelong, monogamous, same-gender relationships to serve as ELCA clergy and professional lay leaders. The ELCA Church Council adopted the revisions to ministry policy documents April 10.

"We are delighted to welcome" All Saints in Big Sky and Lutheran and Presbyterian United Churches, said Crist. "The fact that these congregations are ecumenical makes it even better," she said.

The ELCA Montana Synod has 51,000 baptized members in 149 congregations, including four congregations in Wyoming. The synod office is in Great Falls.

Information about the ELCA Montana Synod is at http://www.montanasynod.org/, on the Web.

ELCA News Service