Churches display unity on Good Friday

In a world that has been historically ripped apart by small religious differences, Sisters proved that it is possible to lay these aside and focus on unity through its ecumenical Good Friday service.

The Community Good Friday Service is a long-standing Sisters tradition, hosted this year at Three Sisters Fellowship. In a light-hearted attempt to point out that although there may be differences, Christians are on the same page, Pastor Ron Gregg, of Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church commented on an upbeat rendition of an normally staid hymn:

"We sure don't sing the song that way at the Lutheran church," he said.

The gathered crowd appreciated the light and ecumenical approach to what many would consider a serious subject and, for the day at least, the minor rifts that separate the various flavors of Christianity were forgotten in the celebration.

The event was sponsored by the Sisters Ministerial Association. The focus was on the last words of Jesus as he hung on the cross, and nine local pastors spoke. They were: Pastor Ron Gregg, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church; Father Richard Ley, St. Edward the Martyr Catholic Church; Pastor Mike Golden, Calvary Chapel; Pastor Frank Fraga, Trinity Christian Center; Father Ted Rodrigues, Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration; Pastor Levi Johnson, Church of the Nazarene; Pastor Dennis Legg, Sisters Community Church; John Gerke, Sisters/Camp Sherman Fire Department Chaplain; and Pastor Mike Boswell, Three Sisters Fellowship.

The community service is designed to reach out not only to those who are on the same page, if not in the same paragraph, but additionally to those in the area who have found themselves in unfortunate circumstances. The proceeds of the offering collection were donated to both the Transient Fund and to Family Access Network (FAN) to help support Sisters area residents in need.

The Transient Fund is administered by the Sisters/Camp Sherman fire department and aid is provided only for transients. The everyday needs of local area residents are met through FAN which may be contacted by calling 549-0155.