Faith+Values: ELCA, Methodists form partnership

We interrupt the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's continuing struggles over gay clergy for news that would have made been big headlines any other year: a partnership between the country's two largest Protestant denominations, the ELCA, with 4.6 million members, and the United Methodist Church (UMC), with 8 million.

Media attention at the ELCA's August assembly in Minneapolis focused on its controversial approval of the appointment of gay ministers. But one afternoon, delegates took a vote that made a different sort of history. They approved "full communion" with the UMC. Methodists had approved the step earlier.

While it's not a merger, the agreement allows the sharing of resources -- and preachers.

The Rev. Bruce Robbins, pastor of Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church on the edge of downtown Minneapolis, thinks that many of the folks sitting in the pews might not grasp "what a big change this represents. ... Our clergy are able to support and participate in each other's sacraments and serve in each other's churches, and for laity to know they are fully welcome in each other's churches."

That's considered critical in rural areas where populations are dropping.

"Both the ELCA and UMC have small churches throughout Minnesota, many of which cannot afford full-time clergy," he said. "This agreement could create more openness for shared ministry opportunities. It could create one church in a community that may have had two struggling churches."

The new friendship will be celebrated next weekend at Robbins' church, 511 Groveland Av. The service, at 4 p.m. on Nov. 1, will be evenly split, denominationally speaking, with Bishop Sally Dyck (Methodist) presiding and Bishop Mark Hanson (Lutheran) preaching and music by choirs from St. Olaf College (Lutheran) and Hamline University (Methodist).

With Nov. 1 being All Saints Day, there are many musical treats on tap that day:

• Christ the King Lutheran Church in New Brighton, St. Philip's Lutheran Church in Fridley and Anoka United Methodist Church are combining their choirs for two concerts. This has nothing to do with the full communion agreement; it's a family thing: Bruce Phelps leads the Christ the King choir, daughter Stephanie leads the St. Philip's choir and son David leads the Anoka choir. Performances are at 4 and 7 p.m. at Christ the King, 1900 NW 7th St., New Brighton. Admission is free but attendees are asked to reserve tickets by calling one of the churches.

• The 60-voice National Lutheran Choir is performing at two locations: at St. Andrew's Lutheran Church, 900 Stillwater Road, Mahtomedi, at 4 p.m. and at Normandale Lutheran Church, 6100 Normandale Road, Edina, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for students and are available at www.nlca.com.

• The First Unitarian Society Chorus and Orchestra is presenting a new work, "Eternal Light - A Requiem." The piece, an interpretation of the Requiem Mass that incorporates poetry, is the work of Howard Goodall, recently named Great Britain's classical composer of the year. It's at 10:30 a.m. at the First Unitarian Society, 900 Mount Curve Dr., Minneapolis. Admission is free.

Jeff Strickler • 612-673-7392

Nothing could be more fitting for All Saints Day than a celebration of the newest saint. On Oct. 11, Pope Benedict canonized Jeanne Jugan, founder of the Little Sisters of the Poor. The organization has had an outpost in the Twin Cities for 126 years, and next Sunday they're throwing a party in St. Jeanne's honor. There will be a mass of thanksgiving at 2 p.m. at the St. Paul Cathedral, followed by a reception at the St. Paul Hotel. Admission is free.