The priest there, Father Steve Binsfeld, did a terrific job of leading the worship service, and commented on the strong singing he heard from our Lutheran rows (bunch of Family of Christ folk) belting out the liturgical responses. I enjoyed his leadership, and Beth and I hung back after the wedding in the hopes of getting to talk with him a moment. He was a grizzled and weather-beaten veteran clergyman, though hey, as I write this, it occurs to me he could write a blog to his flock and describe me exactly the same way! I noted how he was quick to laugh, eager to talk, and had a great spirit about him.
We had some questions for him, and he for us. We learned that the sanctuary was fairly new, and could seat 1200 worshipers. We learned about some of the mission trips Father Steve had helped organize. The conversation turned toward Lutheran-Catholic cooperation and he told us how there had been a tragic and untimely death of a Lutheran Pastor in that town some time ago. That pastor had only been 48 years old when she died. There really wasn't a Lutheran church in town big enough to hold the number of mourners who wished to attend, so Father Steve and the leaders of St. Mary's opened their doors to the community. And they let Lutheran clergy take over the sanctuary in order to lead that large gathering of mourners, who could then worship and find support in their time of sorrow. Those Roman Catholics threw open their doors and welcomed their neighbors who were in crisis, and in grief.
That was quite a gift of grace, don't you think? And in this season of celebrating the Reformation, we Lutherans do well to also lift up ecumenism - those efforts at reconciling the differences we have with other Christians, and other religions for that matter. It is so important for us to be ready and able to spend energy toward healing, and wholeness, and reconciliation with friends and neighbors of all stripes. It is also a good use of our faith -- good stewardship of our faith if I can use that word -- to seek common ground, and pray for unity, and strive to work together in harmony with others - to share the love of the Creator in the way we care for, and look out for others.
I was sure glad to meet Father Steve, a strong and compassionate leader of our broader Christian church. I keep harboring hope that all of us various kinds of Christians will figure out how to get along, and how to reach out to each other, and care for one another. We may at times be the picture of dis-unity, but whenever we can reveal a better spirit of unity, we are all better off. And so is this world.
See you in worship!
