Although many mainstream denominations in Maine including Baptists, Presbyterians, United Church of Christ, Episcopalians, Friends/Quakers, Catholics, and Lutherans have often collaborated efforts to inspire persons of faith to unite for the betterment of society, the partnerships of two or more churches sharing clergy and resources are slowly becoming a more conventional path of worship as church attendance declines. Recently, two Windham churches are leading the way in this unique, and perhaps fruitful, collaboration.
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| Although St. Ann's Episcopal and Faith Lutheran Church have collaborated in many ways, including working together with other churches to provide free weekly community meals, the two organizations will become an official partnership on July 1. St. Ann's member Melissa Dubois serves food at last Thursday's community meal. PHOTO BY LORRAINE GLOWCZAK |
“This means I have been named as the ‘transitional pastor with eligibility to call’ for Faith Lutheran Church for the next year on a one-year trial basis,” said the Rev. Tim Higgins, Rector of St. Ann’s. “I will be available to Faith Lutheran members for ¼ time, providing pastoral care, hospital, and home visits, counseling, and spiritual direction.”
The journey that sparked the official partnership began two years ago in August when Faith Lutheran’s part-time pastor, the Rev. Jane Field accepted the offer of a full-time position as Executive Director of Maine Council of Churches, which was originally part-time. Higgins said that he received a call from the Bishop’s Associate of Maine to be the Contact Priest for Faith Lutheran.
“As a Contact Priest I provided pastoral care [hospital visits, weddings, funerals, etc.] and was present at council meetings,” he said. “But after a year, Faith Lutheran was at a stretching point. There are over 40 open positions for Lutheran Pastors all over New England and few feel called to work part-time. The church had to make a few decisions.”
Since the Faith Lutheran members were not interested in closing their doors and selling the church, the congregation opted to continue an ongoing relationship with St. Ann’s.
With both churches' support, Higgins points out the real purpose of joining forces.
“It is both congregations’ mission that we will grow as a large family community by combining our efforts,” he said. “We want to provide for those who are searching for a place to call their spiritual home in an open and affirming way – without placing any judgments, without demands of giving beyond your means. We are committed to ministry and outreach in the way we believe Jesus taught us.”
Higgins emphasized that stability and consistency are among the missions of this collaboration with the hope that the growth of worship will occur now that there are two locations and options for people to choose.
David Guiseley, a 20-plus member of Faith Lutheran and the current President of the Church Council, agrees with Higgins.
“We hope our partnership will create more interest in religion and increase church involvement in both public/volunteer missions and in ministry,” he said. “We see this as creating a positive impact on both churches. For Faith Lutheran specifically, it will help to give us a more consistent schedule of Pastors presiding over our Sunday services.”
Higgins will supply liturgical worship for Faith Lutheran one Sunday a month. Retired Raymond Village Church Pastor and United Church of Christ Pastor, Rev. Nancy Foran will provide worship services two times a month while other supply clergy will take on the fourth Sunday of the month.
Catherine Ryder who is the Senior Warden of St. Ann’s Vestry and a member for 23 years said that she and Guiseley worked together to discuss the risks, benefits, and fears that both church memberships expressed.
“We both took the time to make sure everyone in our churches had their voice heard and there was definitely a favorable response,” she said. “Part of the reason for this is because we have shared events in the past.”
Ryder was referring to the many ecumenical events and services both churches have collaborated to include Thanksgiving and MLK, Jr worship, serving community meals together, and working together at St. Ann’s Essentials Pantry.
“We’ve made intentional efforts to do things together,” she said. “The more you get to know people the less you fear and the more you get to know how to fill in the gaps for each other.”
Ryder went on to say that she is a firm believer in integration and collaboration as a good thing and recognizes one individual who makes this collaboration easy.
“Without Father Tim, I don’t know what St. Ann’s future would be like and so the partnership with Faith Lutheran is a double blessing. We have good things in store for us in the future.”
Higgins expresses his gratitude.
“I am honored and humbled at the guidance of the holy spirit the past year that has brought the two organizations to this amazing place of collaboration. I’m so excited to move forward in our ongoing work as we celebrate the Christian community in the Sebago Lakes region. God has led us to this place and God will lead us forward.”
St. Ann’s Episcopal Church will be celebrating their 50th anniversary on Sunday, June 25. Higgins asks readers to keep their eyes and ears open for upcoming celebration information. <
With both churches' support, Higgins points out the real purpose of joining forces.
“It is both congregations’ mission that we will grow as a large family community by combining our efforts,” he said. “We want to provide for those who are searching for a place to call their spiritual home in an open and affirming way – without placing any judgments, without demands of giving beyond your means. We are committed to ministry and outreach in the way we believe Jesus taught us.”
Higgins emphasized that stability and consistency are among the missions of this collaboration with the hope that the growth of worship will occur now that there are two locations and options for people to choose.
David Guiseley, a 20-plus member of Faith Lutheran and the current President of the Church Council, agrees with Higgins.
“We hope our partnership will create more interest in religion and increase church involvement in both public/volunteer missions and in ministry,” he said. “We see this as creating a positive impact on both churches. For Faith Lutheran specifically, it will help to give us a more consistent schedule of Pastors presiding over our Sunday services.”
Higgins will supply liturgical worship for Faith Lutheran one Sunday a month. Retired Raymond Village Church Pastor and United Church of Christ Pastor, Rev. Nancy Foran will provide worship services two times a month while other supply clergy will take on the fourth Sunday of the month.
Catherine Ryder who is the Senior Warden of St. Ann’s Vestry and a member for 23 years said that she and Guiseley worked together to discuss the risks, benefits, and fears that both church memberships expressed.
“We both took the time to make sure everyone in our churches had their voice heard and there was definitely a favorable response,” she said. “Part of the reason for this is because we have shared events in the past.”
Ryder was referring to the many ecumenical events and services both churches have collaborated to include Thanksgiving and MLK, Jr worship, serving community meals together, and working together at St. Ann’s Essentials Pantry.
“We’ve made intentional efforts to do things together,” she said. “The more you get to know people the less you fear and the more you get to know how to fill in the gaps for each other.”
Ryder went on to say that she is a firm believer in integration and collaboration as a good thing and recognizes one individual who makes this collaboration easy.
“Without Father Tim, I don’t know what St. Ann’s future would be like and so the partnership with Faith Lutheran is a double blessing. We have good things in store for us in the future.”
Higgins expresses his gratitude.
“I am honored and humbled at the guidance of the holy spirit the past year that has brought the two organizations to this amazing place of collaboration. I’m so excited to move forward in our ongoing work as we celebrate the Christian community in the Sebago Lakes region. God has led us to this place and God will lead us forward.”
St. Ann’s Episcopal Church will be celebrating their 50th anniversary on Sunday, June 25. Higgins asks readers to keep their eyes and ears open for upcoming celebration information. <
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