This kind of synergy can only come from heaven. After a fire gutted the 105 year old First Agape AME church on Seven Locks Road on Feb. 25 the congregation had been searching for a temporary home while their church is rebuilt. “We were just given so many opportunities to worship,” said Lou Varella, chair of the church’s board of trustees.
Parishioners had been visiting area churches and worshiping with other congregations such as the Glen Echo Baptist Church. But they still sought a place where their community could come together and worship.
In their search, they came upon Adat Shalom synagogue on Persimmon Tree Lane. Since the Jewish Sabbath is on Saturday and the Christian on Sunday, there is no scheduling conflict.
“We just saw it and said, wow, this is beautiful,” Varella said “I think that’s all part of God’s plan to reach out to the community.”
“There was a need, and you just step in,” said Esther Gelman, member of Adat Shalom and former member of the Montgomery County Council.
“This is history in the making,’ said Rev. Edgar Bankhead as he entered the synagogue for the first Sunday of Worship on March 28.
“If it is, that would be nice,” replied Rabbi George Dreisen.
The church’s temporary home is substantially larger than the one they are accustomed to.
“It’s big,” said Tyunna Ingram, 8 of Forestville.
“It is comfortable,” said Nicholas Atchinson, 16 of Temple Hills.
Even though they will be praying in a larger venue, the congregation is not worried about losing a sense of community. “Our unity is in our hearts,” said Andrea Conner of Manassas, Va. “That is the unity that we come together with.”