By Rita McInerney

Gratitude for the life and ministry of Archbishop Thomas A. Donnellan was expressed by Bishop Gerald S. Troutman of the Southeastern Synod, Lutheran Church in America, the homilist for the ecumenical service held Saturday morning, Oct. 17 at the Cathedral of Christ the King, Atlanta.

Bishop Charles J. Child, Jr., of the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta, presided. Msgr. John F. McDonough, administrator of the archdiocese, was seated beside Bishop Child during the service.

"Our brother Thomas is now in the Father's house," Bishop Troutman said in his homily. "We thank God for his life and ministry in our midst." The Lutheran bishop said that as a community leader concerned about moral standards, the archbishop's love of Christ was a shining light. In his concern for the poor, he wanted to make sure "they had a chance in this world as well as in the next," he remarked in mentioning the archbishop's service on the bishops' committee on the pastoral letter on the economy.

"If Martin Luther had the opportunity, as I have had, to work with Tom Donnellan, we might still be united today," the Lutheran bishop said.

"Our brother helped us join hands in faith," he continued, mentioning the covenants signed by the archbishop in recent years with Bishop Child and with Bishop Troutman and Bishop David E. Wolber, of the American Lutheran Church.

"We know him as a god friend" who was a faithful attendee at the support group of bishops which Bishop Troutman told of organizing. "Our brother Thomas was always there, willing to share mutual concerns and responsibilities," he said.

In a touching reference to the archbishop's enjoyment of life, Bishop Troutman played "Free At Last," based on the spiritual which was a favorite of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. It was from "Big River," the musical version of "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn," which played last year at the Theater of the Stars in Atlanta.

Readings were given by Bishop John, the Greek Orthodox bishop of Atlanta, Anne Zittell, a lay reader from the Episcopal Cathedral of St. Philip, and Dr. Lawrence Bottoms, former moderator of the Presbyterian Church, USA, and now associate pastor of Morningside Presbyterian Church.

Also taking part in the service were: Bishop Ernest Fitzgerald, of the United Methodist Church; Bishop Joseph Coles, of the Christian Methodist Church; Dr. Barbara King, pastor of the Hillside International Truth Center; Dr. Harold Moore, of the Interdenominational Theological Center and president of the Christian Council of Metropolitan Atlanta; Perry Ginn, executive director of the Christian Council; Marie Copher, president of Church Women United of Atlanta; Don Leiter, executive director of the Lord's Day Alliance; and Rev. Homer Goumenis of the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation.

The Evening Choir of the Cathedral of St. Philip sang under the direction of Robert L. Simpson, organist choirmaster, Hamilton Smith, director of music for the Cathedral of Christ the King, led congregational singing.