New Lutheran/Episcopal group has Methodist surroundings

To help spread the word about the synod’s eight mission starts, Moments for Mission and this blog are highlighting each of them. The synod’s two federated Lutheran/Episcopal worshiping groups, one new and one that’s been around a long time, are featured below. Contributions through 1,000 Mission Friends help support new mission starts. Contact the synod office. — RP

KINGSTON — “It feels like getting to know somebody after you’ve married them,” laughed the Rev. Ray Sheldon of Faith Community Church, one of only two federated Lutheran/Episcopal worshiping groups in the Southwestern Washington Synod.

Unlike St. Christopher’s Community Church of Olympia with its long multi-faith history, Faith has only eight months under its belt. Faith members are tentatively feeling their way along a new path, and getting to know their other half. 

“It’s not in a book anyplace,” said Sheldon, an Episcopal priest. 

The Episcopal half comes from the former Faith Episcopal Church of the Episcopal Church, which about 18 years ago broke off from St. Charles Anglican Church of Poulsbo. The Lutheran half comes from a long-held desire of the synod to have a presence on the remote north end of the Kitsap Peninsula.
 

Faith resulted after two years of planning by the “Dream Team," a group of area pastors, priests and lay leaders led by the Rev. Dr. Melanie Wallschlaeger and her Episcopal counterpart.

Finding a place to worship has been very difficult for the tiny congregation of two dozen. A theater was too dark and lacked parking. An old community hall was prone to floods. Leaders considered an old house, a former liquor store, and the community room of a future independent-living facility now under construction.

But for a couple of months, now, Faith has worshiped at 11 a.m. at Redeemer United Methodist Church of Kingston, at 9900 NE Shorty Campbell Road, Kingston. 

Lutherans in remote North Kitsap are invited visit and join. Synod Communicator Rachel Pritchett is a member and can be reached at 206-498-0920.  

Pictured: Father Ray Sheldon and Connie Aurand.