After 30 years of official talks — and nearly 100 years since an alliance was suggested — the Episcopal Church and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America officially join forces Jan. 1.

        The alliance is not a merger, but a “full communion” relationship, meaning that the nearly 8 million members of the two churches can share pastors, sacraments and resources.

        “I think one of our Lord's primary commands is that we all be one. This is a movement in that direction,” says the Rev. Roger Foote of the Episcopal parish, Christ Church in Glendale. “When you have a larger group of people going out with the same message, I think the message has more power.”

        The alliance will have a more immediate impact in rural areas, he says. In some smaller towns, Episcopal and Lutheran congregations may not be able to afford two separate pastors, but they could pool their resources to pay the salary for one. It also could help stymie the national shortage of clergy, as well as enable the churches to work together on mission projects.

        Already one local church is exploring the implications of the alliance. A local Episcopal priest last month shared the pulpit and served communion with the pastor at Gloria Dei Lutheran church.

        “It was very well-received,” says member Rosalind Meister of Western Hills.

        Although there are differences in the organization of the two denominations, the Episcopal and Lutheran churches share similar worship patterns.

        The Lutheran church approved the alliance in 1999, and the Episcopal church gave the OK in July.

        On Jan. 6, 3,500 people are to attend the inaugural celebration of the alliance at National Cathedral in Washington, D.C.

        The move, says the Rev. Foote, “is a witness to the world that we can get along.”

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