Nearby Reno congregation welcomes burned-out Lutherans
BY DAVID JACOBS • DJACOBS@RGJ.COM • APRIL 10, 2009

The Rev. Thomas Beck has an Easter message ready in the aftermath of a fire that put his Reno church off limits during Holy Week.
"It's remarkable how we have found more sources of life and support," the pastor of Faith Lutheran Church said Thursday.

An April 2 fire damaged the church at 2075 W. Seventh St., where flames spread from a maintenance closet to the attic and roof. The cause remains unknown, but the building is closed.

St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, within walking distance at 2400 W. Seventh St., is opening its arms and doors to Beck's congregation.

"Even after being chased out by a fire, there is new growth and life and relationship happening as we cross the street to be with our friends on the other side," Beck said. "It's kind like an Easter message: Out of death, there is life."

"We're homeless from our church building," he said. "St. Stephen's has taken us in and made us at home.

"These are our friends. The more important part is the chance for us to work together."

On Easter Sunday, the pastors plan a joint service at 9:30 a.m., including a combined choir.

After the service, congregates will join for a large Easter brunch hosted by St. Stephen's, Faith Lutheran and a predominantly Korean church, Church of the Lord, that normally meets in the Faith Lutheran church.

Church of the Lord also is using the St. Stephen's building, though it will not take part in the service, Beck said.

"Because the Korean church uses Korean language, it doesn't work to put three churches together for worship," he said.

During Holy Week in St. Stephen's, prayer services were held Thursday and today, Good Friday. Faith Lutheran and St. Stephen's planned to hold some separate services as Easter nears and in the weeks to follow while the burned church is repaired.

"We're doing this as a partnership more than anything," St. Stephen's deacon Mike Margerum said. "They have their own traditions, too. In effect, we don't want to step on each other's traditions.

"But we're trying to do it together as much as possible because we're together as Christians."

Beck, whose parish has existed more than 50 years, pointed to a sign in front of his church.

"As you drive by our church, our sign says 'Holy Smoke Lutheran meeting at the Episcopal church.' One of the (restoration) vendors who is doing work here has put on his invoice 'Holy Smoke Lutheran.'

"It's just a joke."

Beck has his own light-hearted description of the Holy Week situation: "Holy confusion."

"Some services are theirs, some are ours, and most are put together," he said. "We are both participating with our two different worshipping communities in one common event over multiple days."

He does not expect his sanctuary to open for four to six weeks and estimates the rest of the building won't open for about six months for asbestos removal.

"Then, because there's smoke damage, everything has got to be cleaned and made usable," he said.


In Your Voice — Read reactions to this story

CommonCents2 wrote:
What a beautiful story! Happy Easter!
04/10/2009 11:40:25 p.m.

jakedup wrote:
The title made it sound like the Lutherans were burned-out from their religion.
04/10/2009 9:29:34 p.m.

laurietoo wrote:
What a wonderful story of Christian love and people coming together to help one another! I find it ironic, given one of the comments, that these two congregations were celebrating Maundy Thursday, the name given to this day. The word "maundy" comes from the root word for "commandment" and carries that name because of Jesus' words to his disciples that night: "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you." This looks to me like a solid example of what Jesus would have us do.
04/10/2009 5:30:12 p.m.

Turbo3854 wrote:
Thank You! St. Stephen's for opening your doors to our displaced congregation! Holy Week will truly be memoirable.
04/10/2009 8:46:21 a.m.

lockwoodlady wrote:
Replying to RenoHoney:
Amen RenoHoney!!! Thank you.
04/10/2009 5:55:14 a.m.

RenoHoney wrote:
What a wonderful story. The people in these two congregations will probably always remember this Holy Week as one of the holiest of all. Instead of focusing just on the tragedy of a fire interrupting their plans, the priests and congregations of both churches cooperated together and let new friendships be the result. I love the humor and graciousness of Rev. Beck. And St. Stephen's Episcopal Church truly is a loving and accepting congregation, as "robroi" suggests. It's made up of people who see the value in worshipping alongside all kinds of Christians, "liberal" included, without judgement or revulsion. Amen to the true spirit of Christianity, which opens its arms to those who would be shunned elsewhere, as Jesus did!
04/10/2009 5:19:48 a.m.

AgentJ wrote:
Replying to robroi:
How very christian of you to attach your hateful screed to a story about people helping other people, you should be embarassed
04/10/2009 4:00:15 a.m.

robroi wrote:
St Stephen's membership has been on an inexorable slide since 2000 (the year that Ms Schori was made "bishop" of Nevada), falling 37%(!). Attendance on a given Sunday was down to just 60. The liberal policies of the Episcopal Denomination has been disastrous. And this summer, it will seal its fate as the "gay church" by most likely opening the door to more homosexual bishops and "gay marriages.

Fortunately there are alternatives: Little Church in the Valley on Lemmon Street is associated with the godly Henry Luc Orombi, archbishop of Uganda (who will be speaking at the Anglican Men's Weekend retreat next month in California), and also Sierra Anglican Church which meets at Mountan View Montessori.
04/10/2009 2:36:09 a.m.