Celebrating unity on World Communion Sunday


Key points:

  • Hillcrest United Methodist Church’s Festival of Nations connects multicultural congregations and community through shared worship and fellowship.
  • Five congregations and a nonprofit share the church’s space each week.
  • The event was organized to celebrate World Communion Sunday.

Hillcrest United Methodist Church joined with four congregations and a nonprofit organization to celebrate World Communion Sunday with a Festival of Nations. The various groups represent many cultures from four continents and speak more than five languages. All of them utilize the Hillcrest United Methodist Church facility each week.

Members of the MARIM congregation worship in the Kinyarwanda language, spoken in Rwanda, eastern Congo and adjacent parts of southern Uganda during World Communion Sunday at Hillcrest United Methodist Church. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.
Members of the MARIM congregation worship in the Kinyarwanda language, spoken in Rwanda, eastern Congo and adjacent parts of southern Uganda during World Communion Sunday at Hillcrest United Methodist Church.
The Unity Choir, featuring members from five international congregations, sings during World Communion Sunday. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.
The Unity Choir, featuring members from five international congregations, sings during World Communion Sunday.

“Each one of these ministries is doing amazing work and is really allowing all of us to be part of something greater than what we could do individually,” said the Rev. David Ssebulime, lead pastor of Hillcrest United Methodist Church. “We have not yet seen or even imagined what is possible when we unite God’s people. … We believe that God has brought us together under the same roof for a greater purpose.”

Acacia Zuninga (left) and the Rev. Jorge Ramirez offer Holy Communion during a Festival of Nations celebration of World Communion Sunday at Hillcrest United Methodist Church in Nashville, Tenn. They help lead the Casa de Transformación congregation that worships at Hillcrest. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.
Acacia Zuninga (left) and the Rev. Jorge Ramirez offer Holy Communion during a Festival of Nations celebration of World Communion Sunday at Hillcrest United Methodist Church in Nashville, Tenn. They help lead the Casa de Transformación congregation that worships at Hillcrest.

The groups are now better connected through the shared experiences of the day, which included a worship service, a time of learning about each other, a meal comprising dishes from multiple cultures, and an opportunity for fellowship.

The Rev. David Ssebulime preaches about unity during a joint worship service of five ethnically diverse congregations on World Communion Sunday at Hillcrest United Methodist Church in Nashville, Tenn. Ssebulime is the church’s senior pastor.  Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.
The Rev. David Ssebulime preaches about unity during a joint worship service of five ethnically diverse congregations on World Communion Sunday at Hillcrest United Methodist Church in Nashville, Tenn. Ssebulime is the church’s senior pastor.
Five congregations from diverse backgrounds gather for worship during World Communion Sunday at Hillcrest United Methodist Church in Nashville, Tenn. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.
Five congregations from diverse backgrounds gather for worship during World Communion Sunday at Hillcrest United Methodist Church in Nashville, Tenn.

The congregations plan to continue supporting each other and strengthening their ministry partnerships. Each pastor expressed the same belief: God’s love unites us.

Buchanan works for UMC.org at United Methodist Communications. DuBose is staff photographer for UM News.

News media contact: Julie Dwyer at newsdesk@umnews.org. To read more United Methodist news, subscribe to the free Daily or Weekly Digests.

 

Sign up for our newsletter!

Subscribe Now
Local Church
With the help of Monticello United Methodist Church pastor Matt Ozment's 5-year-old daughter, the Rev. Bailey Amtower celebrates the 15th anniversary of LifeBridge Church in Shawnee, Kan. Photos by David Burke, Great Plains Conference.

Two churches live in harmony under one roof

Although LifeBridge and Monticello United Methodist churches share a sanctuary, education programs and mission outreach, they remain two different congregations. The Rev. Matt Ozment says they are looking for ways to invite the outside community into their loving church community.
Members of Trinity United Methodist Church in Greeneville, Tenn., collect and distribute food, water and hygiene supplies to those affected by torrential rains in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Photo by Annette Spence, Holston Conference.

Video: ‘Look what God can do’

An East Tennessee pastor says God guided her congregation to respond to the needs of families displaced by Helene.
Young People
Students worked on construction and repair projects for this year's College U.M. ARMY. “These students not only care for their clients, but they also care for one another.” Photo courtesy of the Texas Annual Conference.

College students enlist in U.M. ARMY

More than 80 college students from Texas and Louisiana came together in the Texas Hill Country for a week of mission work and fellowship through College U.M. ARMY. The event featured projects such as the construction of accessibility ramps and repair work on homes damaged by a recent tornado.

United Methodist Communications is an agency of The United Methodist Church

©2024 United Methodist Communications. All Rights Reserved