By Siphiwe Sithole
Intern, Anglican Communion Communications, London

St Mary's Episcopal Church in Tampa, USA, has become home to two congregations, who have formed a bond that transcends culture, language, race and religion, after using the same building for three years at different times on Sundays.

In the morning, congregants from old neighbourhoods like Beach Park and Palmer Ceia gathered to worship. They are retirees and young families, attorneys and contractors and teachers. Around noon, when the Episcopalians have gone home, the second congregation begins to arrive. They travel from around the state, some from as far away as Miami and Jacksonville.

Under their spiritual leader, a one-time exile Father Berhanu Bekele, members of the Florida's only Ethiopian Orthodox church, many whom are cab drivers and factory workers, met in a donated space in St. Mary's chapel.

In 1995, with the arrival of the Rev. Kevin Francis Donlon, a second generation Irishman from New York, winds of change began to blow at St Mary's as he sought to meet the other congregants worshipping in the chapel and to extend a hand of friendship.

Since then, the two congregations have worshiped together and have shared meals of barbecued goat and other Ethiopian cuisine. They also made one man's dream come true.

Father Herhanu has left Tampa to visit his homeland for the first time in 31 years. The journey was a gift from members of St Mary's, who raised $12,000 at Christmas in a special collection for the 52-year-old priest. The trip serves a two fold purpose: He will be united with family and friends he has seen in three decades, and begin the process to complete the doctoral degree that was interrupted by politics years ago.

Thanking the members of St Mary's for their good gesture, Father Herhanu said: "It is not possible to die on the cross like Christ. It is not possible for us to perform miracles. But it is possible to love one another, and you have shown that love over and over again."

Father Donlon said it is his church that has most benefited from the unusual pairing of Eastern and Western Christians. Each week, the Ethiopians set an example of devotion not often seen in the more lax American culture, where the average churchgoer attends services two out of four Sundays.

"This is part of our lives," said Ayde Geleta, an Orlando pharmacist who comes to Tampa each Sunday with his wife, three children and mother-in-law. "We look very much forward to this day. We gather for God and to be with our friends."

Isabelle Blitch, a member at St. Mary's since 1952 said, "They are wonderful, kind and appreciative people. As Christians, we all talk of being one, but we usually don't put it into action. Now we are doing just that."

Father Berhanu urged his congregation to help with St Mary's $10 million building fund "When completed there will be Orthodox icons and other indigenous relics incorporated in the structure of design. They will symbolize the enduring relationship between the two churches," said Father Donlon.