The Gathering, a meeting of Christians from various local churches, drew more than 800 people on Sunday to the ballroom at the Meritage Resort in Napa. Pastors from non-denominational, Pentecostal and Evangelical churches attended.

Pastor Roger Visker of Valley Community Church summed up the Gathering. "We join together with other Christians in the Napa Valley to share what we have in common. It's more than openness, but laying aside theological differences. It promotes good things in the valley, and shared projects to benefit the folks of Napa."

Candles surrounded a bare wooden cross that adorned the stage where a worship band played. Beside the entrance, stacks of Gideon Bibles covered a table as well as books titled "Share Jesus without fear."

People danced as the worship band played "Praises to the One Who Made Us," "For Great is the Lord," and "Full of Your Glory."

Pastor Peter Shaw of First Baptist Church in Napa began the program, asking people to greet each other as members of the church of Napa. He declared, "We are proclaiming Jesus Christ with one voice. We will not be known by denominational distinctives, but be one. We are only 20 percent of the church of Napa."

Following that declaration, the children went to the resort's chapel and Pastor Visker discussed the family. He read from Matthew's Gospel and commented, "Jesus' mother and brothers were there to tell Him to settle down and shut up; they saw Him as a disgrace, they didn't see Him as the Messiah." Visker spoke of the importance of obedience, using a story from personal experience. He said that a friend of his left the Christian Reformed Church for Assembly of God. Visker concluded, "It's not about denomination, but who your family is. It's all about obedience to the Father Š We are the true family of God."

Pastor Allen Gallaway from First Christian Church of Napa Valley spoke of family and food, comparing the union of various denominations to his recent try of a pepperoni and pineapple pizza. He read aloud a prayer from Paul's letter to the Ephesians about unity.

Pastor Larry Beisel from the Rock Worship Center washed Pastor Shaw's feet, who commented that Beisel was Jesus to him and of his desire to wash the feet of another pastor or a priest.

George Muedeking, a retired Lutheran pastor, dynamically spoke of the power of the cross. He said passionately, "We are united as Christians because of the cross. Š According to Marin Luther, the cross means Christ the Victor! Christus Victor!"

The Gathering concluded with Pastor Beisel inviting people to take Jesus as their personal Savior and asking if they needed healing. Beisel said fervently, "(Jesus) wants to heal our hearts, but also our bodies. Lord, begin touching people right now."

Pastor Shaw commented on the event, observing, "There are eight churches here today. I look around and see we are more united than divided. Meritage refers to a blended wine with five different varietals; it's very fitting. We'll appreciate each other as brothers and sisters in Christ intentionally. Distinctions are a distant second to the cross."

Finally, Shaw spoke of his hopes for the future of the Gathering. He said, "I want to see more covenant-flavored churches here such as Episcopalians and Presbyterians. I want to get covenant people here more. I want to see the Catholic Church well-represented."

Anna Abbott is a freelance writer living in Napa. She can be reached at Religion_News@hotmail.com.