In Divisive Times, Churches Celebrate Common Ground

Over Labor Day weekend seven Hillsboro churches did something pretty unusual: they closed the doors to their buildings, and instead, they gathered together at Hillsboro’s Rood Bridge Park for a special Ecumenical Community Worship.

The gathering opened with a rousing chorus of “De Colores” sung in both Spanish and English, and then continued exploring the theme of unity in diversity. Rev. Adam Hange, pastor of First Congregational, United Church of Christ, commented, “In such a polarized time it is a powerful witness simply to gather together and celebrate the common ground we share.”

Rev. Jorge Rodriguez, of Las Naciones, and Rev. Matthew Eagan, of Calvary Lutheran, read Jesus’ prayer for unity from John 17:20-23, in both Spanish and English. Rev. Clay Andrew, of Hillsboro United Methodist, prepared the bread and juice to serve Holy Communion, and commented, “This is one ritual we all share in common, and yet, we all do it differently!” He then led the assembly in a special Communion prayer written with a combination of English and “Spanglish.” Our various worship practices have sometimes divided us as Christians, so it was especially powerful to celebrate that meal together.

In addition to the potluck meal, and service also included Rev. Karen Lajoy-Smith, of All Saints Episcopal leading a “Blessing of Backpacks and Briefcases,” Rev. Hange introducing a community art project entitled, “Weave Us Together, and Rev. Eagan gathering a special offering of over $1,500 to be given to Family Promise of Washington County. Family Promise is a non-profit which partners with local faith communities to use their buildings to provide shelter for families in need, which many of the participating churches support by being a host-site, or through their financial support.

During the sermon portion of the service, Rev. David Eppelsheimer, of Community of ChristChurch, led an interactive conversation, inviting attendees to talk with each other and share their experiences of how they felt when someone else mentioned them by name in prayer. He closed the time saying the world will know our faith is true through the love we share with our neighbors, whoever they are...“the homeless woman living out of her car in a parking lot, the trans-teen who just came-out at your school, the immigrant asylum-seeker sitting in a detention facility.” The worship service concluded with a joyously rhythmic rendition of “They’ll Know We are Christians by Our Love,” before shifting to a potluck meal, and the kids taking turns swinging at the two brightly colored piñatas, provided by Las Naciones UMC.

Thank you to the participating clergy, Rev. Clay Andrew, Rev. Matthew Eagan, Rev. David Eppelsheimer, Rev. Adam Hange, Rev. Karen LaJoy-Smith, Pastor Joel Rodriguez, Rev. Jorge Rodriguez, Rev. Julie Smith, Rev. Dr. Bob Stebe. And, thank you to the members and and friends of All Saints Episcopal, Calvary Lutheran, Community of ChristChurch, Hillsboro Presbyterian, First Congregational UCC, Hillsboro United Methodist, & Las Naciones United Methodist Church for joining together in this special community celebration.