The ongoing structural relationship between the Chapel of the Cross and St. Paul AME Churches could very well serve as a paradigm for the faith community. Our relationship embraces various facets of communal life: worship, ministry, fellowship, social gatherings, recreation, and youth activities.

The under-girding, moving, and sustaining force of our sister parish relationship is the continuing work of the Holy Spirit of God, reconciling us to Himself. The apostle Paul’s message to the church at Corinth is a relevant message to St. Paul AME and to the Chapel of the Cross and the faith community. “God, who reconciles us to Himself through Christ and who has given us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself … and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us.” (2 Cor. 5:18-19)

In our world where war, poverty, racial conflict, gender, different life styles and religions are major causes of conflict, a message and ministry of reconciliation is both refreshing and inspiring.

Worship is crucial in tearing down the walls of separation. For in worship, not only do we recognize our one Lord, one faith, and one baptism, but we also experience the richness and freshness that diversity brings to worship. Diversity in worship perhaps may lead us away from being slaves to creeds and liturgies to discover the worship of God in Spirit and in Truth. Ministering to the needs of others through projects either in foreign lands or in our local community is a bridge builder between our churches. Members from our churches have established close ties and lasting relationships through planned ministries.

Our occasions for fellowship, social gatherings, recreation, and youth gatherings are welcome opportunities for overcoming our suspicion, mistrust, and fear of each other. The more we get together the more we tolerate, respect, and trust each other. The ultimate truth as a precondition to reconciliation is that every person is a child of God. As children of God, we are not only bonded through one God and one faith but through our humanity. Indeed we are one in Christ and we are one in kinship: we are brothers and sisters not only in the faith but brothers and sisters in the flesh. The goal of our sister parish relationship is to allow our deeds to be equal to our creeds.

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© 2003 The Chapel of the Cross