Uniting in thanks

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A Methodist and a Baptist walked into church together. 

But there was no punch line to follow. Instead, they worshipped together, along with their Episcopalian, African Methodist Episcopal, Catholic, Presbyterian and Lutheran neighbors.

Nathan Carden uses the word “ecumenical” to describe it. 

“Ecumenical refers to our desire to join together with other Christians and celebrate what unifies us rather than any other difference we may have around doctrinal lines or religious practices,” said Carden, the minister of outreach and Contact worship at Trinity United Methodist Church. “We find our common identity in the story of Jesus Christ and his command to love one another and be good to one another.”

Carden is one of the organizers of the annual Homewood community Thanksgiving worship service, which will be held at Trinity this year on Sunday, Nov. 23.

The service follows a similar order each year, with different parts led by leaders from the churches represented. Overall, its elements are more in a liturgical tradition used in Methodist, Episcopalian and Presbyterian services.

“We Baptists jump in and hang in there when they are doing things that are not our tradition,” said Bill Johnston, associate pastor at Dawson Family of Faith. “It’s all a part of meaningful worship. The Baptists don’t wear robes and recite creeds in our tradition per se, but we all enjoy being able to see each other’s traditions and to worship together.”

Regardless of tradition, the hymns, prayers, scripture readings and homily all focus on a celebratory expression of gratitude to the “source of life for us and the blessings we enjoy.” Carden said the organizers try to make the service inclusive so that nothing makes a Christian of any denomination uncomfortable.

This year, the combined orchestras and adult choirs of Trinity and Dawson will add seasonal music to the order of worship.

The service rotates its location each year among churches that have sanctuaries large enough to hold a few hundred people, and the homily rotates among leaders from all 12 churches. This year will be the first for Rev. Brian Erickson, senior pastor designate of Trinity, to deliver the Thanksgiving message, and most likely Joe Genau, the new minister at Edgewood Presbyterian, will be the one to give it next year. Ideally, organizers would like for every pastor in the area to participate one year. 

“It’s important that people who come from different churches celebrate together, praising God and thanking God and how God has blessed us,” said Father Jaya Reddy of Our Lady of Sorrows, who delivered the message at the service last year.

The service is also incorporating a food drive this year. Attendees are asked to bring one or more nonperishable food items with them to be donated to the food pantry at Greater Birmingham Ministries. Organizers hope to gather a few hundred items in the drive.

“As an Over-the-Mountain community, we are aware we are in a position of privilege for the most part,” Carden said. “It’s our responsibility as Christians out of our abundance to be a blessing to other people.”

Overall, Carden said it’s the opportunity to worship with neighbors who attend different churches that brings Homewood residents to the service each year, breaking down any differential barriers that exist.

“It’s a unifying thing,” Carden said. “For me, it is wonderful to be reminded that God’s work is not confined to the particular church where I serve. It is neat to lay race or socioeconomic differences aside. There is no segregation.”

Last year around 350 people attended the Thanksgiving service, and with 950 seats in Trinity’s sanctuary, there is plenty of room for more to attend. 

A nursery for children through age 5 will be available for the Nov. 23 service, which is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. and conclude around 7 p.m. Trinity United Methodist Church is located at 1400 Oxmoor Road. For more, call 879-1737 or visit trinitybirmingham.com.