The paths of the women overlapped often as the two churches shared their facilities for services and other activities over the years. Fremont was choir director at All Saints for 17 years and Osten is a longtime member of Grace Church and its choir. For 20 years we ve had services together. The Rev. John Liebler, rector of St. Peter the Fisherman Episcopal Church in New Smyrna Beach, said the Episcopal Church, historically, has been known as a bridge builder. A great number of lay people in our churches recognize the validity of other churches.
Most people already do it.
But Father Liebler said that does not diminish the fact that there are painful issues that have divided religions for many years. I think this agreement will do a lot for us. Lutherans have maintained a very effective program in what they believe and we have lost that. One of the painful issues referred to by Father Liebler is the Episcopal Church s insistence that clergy be ordained and bishops be installed according to the Episcopal Church s standards. This is a sticking point, as far as the Rev. Louis Trebus, pastor of Trinity Lutheran in New Smyrna Beach, is concerned.