November 13, 1999

CLEVELAND—By growing together as Christians of different denominations, we learn more about ourselves—our gifts and shortcomings—and grow more fully toward God. This was the message of the worship service here today

The Very Rev. Leonid Kishkovsky of the Orthodox Church of America told the 100 people in attendance, "Sometimes the gifts that we bring are part of the inadequacies that we see in ourselves as part of the ecumenical journey."

He said unity is an elemental, ancient and universal them in the cosmos and in Christianity. And it is ultimately transforming for individuals and for denominations.

The Rev. Bertrice Wood of the United Church of Christ recounted a personal experience that taught her the essence of ecumenism. She was attending a World Council of Churches conference in Geneva, Switzerland, when a friend who is a nun asked her to attend service with her. During the service, everyone was invited to come forward and kiss the feet of an icon.

"Being the liberal person I thought I was, I proceeded to stand in the back row of the chapel hoping my friend wouldn't find me," Pastor Wood said. "But she sought me out."

Pastor Wood realized she had two distinct choices: "Inflicting pain—all in the name of Christ" or going forward and kissing the icon.

She chose the second and, after the service, she was moved to tears by the transformation she'd experienced, she reported.

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