Clergy from left, Deacon Amy Schmuck, Deacon Cynthia Biddlecomb, retired, The Rev. Mary Ann Hill and The Rev. Lynn Finnegan. Photo by Nate Limback/ladailypost.com
By Deacon Cynthia Z. Biddlecomb, M.Div.
ELCA retired
What’s the best thing about this town? When someone who doesn’t live here asks you this question, what do you say? Some answers might include: our outdoorsy lifestyle; our unceasing, intellectual curiosity; our diversity of places of origin, from all over the country and around the world; our support of community arts. Our town is rich in so many ways!
One thing that I tell people of faith who ask, is that the worshiping communities in this town have a history of cooperating with each other for the good of the community (e.g.: Cerro Grande relief), and that some even share programming. Having served congregations in at least four other parts of the country, I can tell you that this is rare.
What I describe, for those who ask, is my experience over 23 years in Los Alamos. Two churches (both of which I have since served) were sharing an annual VBS program when I arrived. Those two also shared a weekly Advent worship service. And best of all, the two of them and one other church, had, for more than 10 years at that time, been sharing a Lenten soup supper, education and worship program for the five weeks of Lent, with one of the classes offered by leaders of the local synagogue.
That program is now shared among six local congregations. Clergy of those six churches meet regularly to plan that Lenten program and a Lenten devotional booklet. They are also part of a local ministerial association involving clergy from several more congregations, who meet to address local needs and concerns in Los Alamos and White Rock. How’s that for unity of purpose!
Jesus’ fervent prayer for his followers, was “that they all may be one”. (John 17:20-26) Earlier in John 15, Jesus had admonished the disciples to “love one another as I have loved you”. (v.12) Living out Christ’s love with one another unifies us; it strengthens us for our task of bearing witness to Christ’s presence in this community.
The Christian faith may have its detractors, and the world may no longer have time to listen to the message of God’s love and grace, yet we find our witness strengthened as we serve together for the good of others.
One of the biggest criticisms of Christian churches is that there are so many different kinds. Where a denomination may once have claimed to be the only true church, we now know one another as expressions of faith in the same God. If it helps, you can think of all these denominations as different flavors; each brings its own understanding of the divine.
If you wish there were only one church to choose from, think on this: in Christ’s Church we are one. Denominational differences are there for you to explore. Find the one expression of faith that fits you. Varied ways of worshiping or differences in theology bring you together with others to form a community of faith.
We are all one in who we worship, the God who showed us the Way, the Truth and the Life through Jesus’ ministry among us.
Editor’s note: ‘All Shall Be Well’ is a column written by local women clergy including The Rev. Mary Ann Hill, Rector, Trinity on the Hill Episcopal Church (momaryannhill@gmail.com); The Rev. Lynn Finnegan, Associate Rector, The Episcopal Church of the Holy Faith, Santa Fe (rev.lynn@holyfaithchurchsf.org); Deacon Amy Schmuck, Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church (deaconamy@bethluth.com); and ELCA Deacon Cynthia Biddlecomb, M.Div., retired (czoebidd@gmail.com).