When the small New Covenant Church of the Brethren in Gotha, Fla.,
gathers to observe the Love Feast, its numbers are increased and the
fellowship enriched by the inclusion of members of the Chain of Love
congregation.
Both congregations meet in the chapel at Camp Ithiel. New Covenant’s
Sunday school and worship services are held on Sunday mornings. When
members leave the chapel after noon, they greet the Chain of Love
members who are arriving for their afternoon service.
In recent years the New Covenant congregation has invited the
African-American Chain of Love congregation to join them in the Love
Feast. At first it was a new experience for the Chain of Love folk to
include footwashing and a simple meal as part of the observance of
communion. It has been a positive experience for everyone to be a part
of the inter-racial, multi-generational worship.
The Love Feast service is led by pastor Stephen Horrell or one of the
other ordained ministers in the New Covenant congregation. Pastor Larry
McCurdy, the Chain of Love pastor, leads part of the worship. Members
of both congregations are asked to read scriptures. The singing during
the footwashing part of the service includes music from the faith
background of both groups.
Leader for the Love Feast on Nov. 4 was Nancy Knepper, an ordained
minister who is moderator of the New Covenant congregation. She reminded
those who were gathered that there are varied meanings of the words
“feet” and “feast.”
The rich fellowship of the Love Feast made it a memorable experience.
The fellowship continued after the service ended, as members of both
congregations cleared the tables and folded them up so that the chapel
chairs could be set up in the arrangement that is familiar to both
groups.
-- Berwyn L. Oltman is an ordained minister and a former district executive for Atlantic Southeast District.
Source: 11/29/2012 Newsline
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