[todaysdate]
Three Spokane Valley Churches are celebrating 40 years of collaboration at a special service on Sunday.
The service will be held at one of the churches involved in the tri-parish covenant, the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection, at 15319 E. Eighth Ave. The two other churches in the covenant, Advent Lutheran Church and St. Mary’s Catholic Church, have been part of the planning process as well.
“Anybody is welcome to join us on Sunday,” said Diana Sanderson, of St. Mary’s. “We would love to help other churches who may be interested in working together.”
The churches began collaborating in 1974 and shared the first Thanksgiving worship service in 1976. The churches shared the pulpit for the first time in 1977 during the week of Prayer for Christian Unity.
“It is maybe a little unusual that we are Catholics and non-Catholics together,” said Sanderson. “But we are all Christian and that’s what we are sharing.”
Besides the Thanksgiving event, the churches also share Good Friday.
Sanderson said the shared services makes it easier for families of different faiths to go to a service together.
“We have Catholics that are married to Lutherans and so on. This makes it easier for them,” Sanderson said.
Sunday’s service will feature a joint choir and a scripture reading as well as the signing of a new charter for the tri-parish covenant. There will also be cake and light refreshments.
“We encourage people to reach out and get to know one another,” said Sanderson. “This is a great celebration.”
If you go
What: A service to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the covenant among the Advent Lutheran Church, Episcopal Church of the Resurrection and St. Mary’s.
When: Nov. 23 at 5 p.m.
Where: Episcopal Church of the Resurrection, 15319 E. Eighth Ave.
donations: Nonperishable food and cash donations for Spokane Valley Partners food bank will be collected.
Call: (509) 928-3210.
This article was re-printed with permission from The Spokesman-Review, our media partner.
