CatholicNET congratulates Euclid Lutheran Church and St. William Church

Press Release

From: Euclid Lutheran Church and St. William Church

June 12, 2000

Catholic Lutheran Accord Celebrated in Euclid

Euclid Lutheran Church and St. William Church,
both on East 260^th Street, shared prayer and a
social on Pentecost Sunday, June 11^th. These two congregations chose Pentecost, a day on which Christians remember the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles after Jesus’ Ascension, for the purpose of celebrating the 1999 signing of The Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification in Augsburg, Germany.

Theologians from the Lutheran and Catholic churches concluded a long dialog that sought to resolve their theological differences in the areas of Grace and Justification by publicly accepting this common theological declaration.

Both churches agreed that their beliefs were the same; they differed in how their beliefs were worded and how they approached these two theologies. Both Lutherans and Catholics recognize that the signing of this Declaration was a milestone in healing the wounds of their long separation.

To celebrate their leaders’ coming together, Euclid Lutheran and St. William’s gathered on Sunday for common worship marked by prayer, song, and Scripture reflections offered by Pastor Bela Bernhardt of Euclid Lutheran and Father David Baugh of St. William.

To move from one church to the other the congregations processed while singing a hymn to the Holy Spirit. The service concluded with conversation and refreshments in Euclid Lutheran’s Social Hall.

"This is awesome," more than one parishioner proclaimed. "We need to get together more often," others said. Indeed, it was an awesome event and both congregations are resolved to find ways to continue sharing their efforts and their faith.

- the procession on June 11th -
St. William Parishioners David Walker and Nancy Mikovich and the St. William bell choir are leading the procession from St. William to Euclid Lutheran.

Pastor Bela Bernhardt (Euclid Lutheran) and Father David Baugh (St. William) giving at joint blessing at the conclusion of that celebration.

This article was written by Sr. Irene Charette OSU (of St. William Church (216) 731-1515) regarding our recent celebration with Euclid Lutheran Church.

Pictures by Marge Zahler

Catholic Lutheran Accord Celebrated in Euclid Euclid Lutheran Church and St. William Church, both on East 260^th Street, shared prayer and a social on Pentecost Sunday, June 11^th. These two congregations chose Pentecost, a day on which Christians remember the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles after Jesus’ Ascension, for the purpose of celebrating the 1999 signing of The Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification in Augsburg, Germany.
	Theologians from the Lutheran and Catholic churches concluded a long dialog that sought to resolve their theological differences in the areas of Grace and Justification by publicly accepting this common theological declaration. Both churches agreed that their beliefs were the same; they differed in how their beliefs were worded and how they approached these two theologies. Both Lutherans and Catholics recognize that the signing of this Declaration was a milestone in healing the wounds of their long separation. To celebrate their leaders’ coming together, Euclid Lutheran and St. William’s gathered on Sunday for common worship marked by prayer, song, and Scripture reflections offered by Pastor Bela Bernhardt of Euclid Lutheran and Father David Baugh of St. William.
To move from one church to the other the congregations processed while singing a hymn to the Holy Spirit. The service concluded with conversation and refreshments in Euclid Lutheran’s Social Hall. "This is awesome," more than one parishioner proclaimed. "We need to get together more often," others said. Indeed, it was an awesome event and both congregations are resolved to find ways to continue sharing their efforts and their faith.
- the procession on June 11th - St. William Parishioners David Walker and Nancy Mikovich and the St. William bell choir are leading the procession from St. William to Euclid Lutheran.
Pastor Bela Bernhardt (Euclid Lutheran) and Father David Baugh (St. William) giving at joint blessing at the conclusion of that celebration.
This article was written by Sr. Irene Charette OSU (of St. William Church (216) 731-1515) regarding our recent celebration with Euclid Lutheran Church. Pictures by Marge Zahler