Column by Mary Lee Talbot
The second ecumenical communion service for the 2026 Season took place at 9:15 a.m. Friday in the Hall of Philosophy. The Rt. Rev. Eugene Taylor Sutton, senior pastor for Chautauqua, presided. Gabriel Ehri, executive director of Friends Publishing Corporation, gave the homily. The scripture was Mark 12: 28–34.
Ehri called Jesus “A great simplifyer, a great editor. When he was asked what the greatest commandment was, he gave an answer that anyone could understand.” And when the questioner reflected Jesus’ answer back to him — to love God and to love your neighbor, the man extended his answer.
The man said that the commandments to love God and to love neighbors were above all the commands for burnt offerings. Jesus complimented the man for his reflected listening and told him, “you are not far from the kingdom (of God).”
Ehri, a member of the Society of Friends who served as the Friend of the Week at the Quaker house in Chautauqua, described Quaker worship as “‘expectant waiting,’ to be calm and listen for the spark of the Holy Spirit. Listening for the spark leads to having faith in the source of love to enable us to teach.”
The Holy Spirit, he said, “speaks and leads us to love our neighbors as ourselves. But it is easier inside the worship hall than outside. Jesus challenges us to teach in our lives outside of worship,” Ehri said.
He continued, “Simplicity is in the world and in life we are grateful to our teacher for the simple gift of a straight answer — love God, love neighbor. George Fox, great Quaker leader, said it should become the pattern in our lives to answer God in everyone and make a witness of God in you.”
Sonya Subbayya Sutton, interim director of Sacred Music, played instrumental music on the piano and directed the Motet Choir. The Rev. Ed Baugh, Eugene Sutton’s college roommate, read the scripture. The Rev. Robin Woodberry led the congregation in prayer. Cory Beck played the djembe to accompany the congregation and choir. The prelude was “The Crossing” by Ola Gjeillo played by Sutton on the piano. Under Sutton’s direction, the Motet Choir sang “Jesus, I Adore Thee,” by Stephen Caracciolo. Beth Gunnel and Jane McCarthy served as sacristan. The Rev. Rachel Stuart celebrated Communion. Music from Taizé, South Africa and Peru were part of the congregational singing. Support for this week’s chaplaincy and preaching was provided by the Geraldine M. and Frank E. McElree, Jr. Chaplaincy and the Harold F. Reed, Sr. Chaplaincy.
