St. Andrew’s Cathedral and Galloway United Methodist plan joint celebration
After decades of scholarly conversation and the passing of Joint Interim Eucharistic Sharing in 2005 and 2006 by both the Methodist and Episcopal Churches nationally, a local covenant of common life will be signed by Mississippi bishops.
Bishops Duncan M. Gray III and Hope Morgan Ward (UMC) will sign a Covenant of Common Life on the Feast Day of John and Charles Wesley on March 3rd.
The first two churches to begin acting out of that covenant are St. Andrew's Cathedral and Galloway United Methodist.
The guidelines adopted for entering into this relationship provide important background and context for the March 3 service:
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In 2005, the Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church adopted a covenant relationship of Interim Eucharistic Sharing with The Episcopal Church. A complimentary resolution was approved by the General Convention of The Episcopal Church in June of 2006. In this covenant, the two traditions recognize each other as members of the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic church in which the Gospel is rightly preached. The resolution permits the common, joint celebration of the Eucharist where it is deemed appropriate for the sharing of worship by congregations of the respective Churches. The adopted resolutions require that an ordained United Methodist elder or bishop and an ordained Episcopal priest or bishop stand together at the Lord's Table. Further, the resolution requires that the service of worship be an authorized one and agreed upon by the United Methodist and Episcopal bishops involved. |
In addition, the guidelines stipulate that the elements for the Eucharist should include bread, wine, and grape juice.
The covenant also calls for:
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mutual prayer and mutual support;
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common study of the Holy Scriptures, the histories and theological traditions of each Church, and the materials produced by the Episcopal-United Methodist Dialogue;
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join programs of religious education, theological discussion, mission, evangelism, and social action; and
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the joint use of facilities.
The March 3rd celebration begins at Galloway at 6 p.m. with a dinner where Bishop Gray will speak. After dinner, a liturgical procession will leave Galloway for St. Andrew's Cathedral with vested clergy from both denominations.
"We like to get as many clergy as possible from both traditions in Jackson and beyond who'd like to attend," said the Rev. Dr. Bryan Owen, Canon for Parish Ministry at St. Andrew's.
At the Holy Eucharist to be celebrated at St. Andrew's, the covenant agreement will be signed by Bishop Gray and Bishop Ward.
There will be van available to transport those who cannot walk in the procession from Galloway to the Cathedral.
