United Methodists, Lutherans to share Eucharist in sign of unity

YOUNGSTOWN -- Area Lutherans and United Methodists will gather to share the Eucharist during a service at 11 a.m. May 21 at Zion Lutheran Church, 3300 Canfield Road. Officiating will be Lutheran Bishop Marcus Miller and United Methodist Bishop John Hopkins.
This sign of unity celebrates a national agreement on Eucharistic sharing among two of the largest mainline Protestant churches in the area.
Last summer, representatives of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America approved a Eucharistic sharing agreement with the United Methodist Church. Historically, Lutherans believe that the bread and wine shared at the communion table are the real blood and body of Christ. United Methodists have viewed communion as a symbolic act.
During the 2004 General Conference, United Methodists acknowledged that Christ is present in the sacrament. The sharing agreement was then approved by the United Methodist Council of Bishops.
The terms of the agreement foster mutual prayer and support, joint study of the Scriptures, theological discussions, evangelical outreach, social ministry endeavors and study of the histories and traditions of the two churches. The pact also encourages joint services of Holy Communion following guidelines established by the two churches.