Sharing the Lenten season

Angelique Flores

Members of four local churches -- Lutheran, Catholic, Presbyterian and

Methodist -- gather together each week during the Lenten season to

recognize their differences and rejoice in their similarities.

“We emphasize that we have different practices, doctrines and theologies,

and we celebrate those diversities with a mutual respect,” said Father

Carl Zimmermann, Pastor of the Lutheran Church of the Resurrection in

Huntington Beach.

Every Wednesday night during the 40 days before Easter, Christ

Presbyterian Church, Fountain Valley United Methodist Church, Lutheran

Church of the Resurrection and Sts. Simon and Jude Catholic Church take

turns hosting a community prayer service.

“This is the time in the Christian calendar that Christians pause and

remember the sacrifice and suffering of Christ,” Zimmermann said. “This

is what ties us together.”

Each week, a different church prepares a soup and bread supper followed

by an ecumenical prayer service. Each gathering is different, depending

on the host church and its practices. The services can include anything

from hymns played by a bell choir and a sermon to readings and prayers.

“We’ve come to know each other,” said Sister Maureen Sheehan of Sts.

Simon and Jude Catholic Church. “There’s more that unites us than

separates us.”

The gathering of the churches began five years ago with Zimmermann and

Father Larry Dolan of Sts. Simon and Jude.

“We wanted to have the different communities of faith experience each

other’s worship and fellowship,” Zimmermann said. “We’re all neighbors,

and we’re all Christians.”

The four churches also meet annually the night before Thanksgiving for a

community prayer. Three years ago, they added the Lenten meetings. The

crowd that attends has grown from about 75 to about 200.

“We’re neighbors. We meet in the grocery store. Why not celebrate that we

have so much in common?” Sheehan said.

FYI

WHAT: Interfaith Lenten services

WHEN: April 5 at Sts. Simon and Jude and April 12 at Fountain Valley

United Methodist Church. On both days, supper starts at 6 p.m., and

services start at 7 p.m.

WHERE: Sts. Simon and Jude is at 20444 Magnolia St, Huntington Beach.

Fountain Valley United Methodist Church is at 18225 Bushard St.

CALL: 962-3333, Sts. Simon and Jude. 962-259, Fountain Valley United

Methodist.

MISC.: The April 12 service at Fountain Valley United Methodist will

include a worship musical about the death and resurrection of Christ with

the choir and orchestra. Child care will be available.