Loading...On April 17, Bishop Nathan Baxter celebrated the Ceremony of New Ministry for John T. Harwood at Trinity Episcopal Church in Renovo.
What was unusual about the liturgy is that the concelebrant was Robert Driesen, the bishop of the Upper Susquehanna Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
 |
John serves both the Episcopal and Lutheran churches in Renovo, continuing a ministry that Dee Calhoun developed in 2007. Both congregations worship separately on Sundays except for months that have five Sundays: on those days there is a single joint service. The two congregations also share a common service on Maundy Thursday and participate in the community Advent and Lenten services with all of the churches in Renovo. But the heart of the relationship is the mutual commitment to outreach ministries.
The outreach ministries range from participation in the World Day of Prayer Services to providing leadership and housing for the Community Food Bank at Trinity. Both churches are active in the mission work and ministry of the Council of Churches and assist each other with parish fund raisers and special projects. The two congregations have shared in Bible study programs, parish picnics, Vacation Bible School, and hosting Community Hymn Sings.
 |
Both Bishop Baxter and Bishop Driesen rejoice that in Renovo, we are able to see the promise of full communion between our denominations and the power of ecumenical outreach ministry in this community.
