ECC's "New Church" Attracts 70 to First Service

I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:19

Last Sunday night, 70 people came to the very first service of “New Church” in Pascoag, an Episcopal Church plant associated with our Camp and Conference center. For the first time in many years, the church that was formerly Calvary Church, at 158 Broad Street in Pascoag, was full of people who had come to worship.

It was over five years ago that Calvary made the decision to merge with St. Thomas’ in Greenville, and that merger led to a healthy and thriving parish that is living fully into God’s call to care for one another and the world. The merger allowed for new life, new beginnings, and new ministry at St. Thomas’. The merger also left a building behind nestled in the Northwestern most corner of the state, and only two miles from the Episcopal Conference Center.

When the Bishop and ECC Director Meaghan Kelly started talking about forming a new worshipping congregation that was associated with the summer camp program and ministry at ECC, the empty church seemed like a natural place to start holding worship services.  The idea was to start something new and just a little bit different from the other options that we have for churchgoers in the Diocese.  The primary weekly service would be held in the evening instead of the morning and the music would be accompanied by guitar and drum, incorporating some of the songs used at camp.

The Rev. Meaghan Kelly admits she was hoping for 20 people at the first gathering – a Celebration of the Holy Eucharist and a potluck at her house (the former rectory) next door afterward. She was surprised and overwhelmed when 70 people arrived, with many children in attendance.  Some folks came just to check it out and support this effort, but many came and were excited about being part of this ministry, including several people from the neighborhood.

New Church will meet again next week for worship (at 5pm) and a potluck dinner (at 6pm). At the start of Lent, as New Church pays close attention to the experience of being in the wilderness, The Rev. Meaghan Kelly says they will begin to pray and discern in earnest.“We will listen for God and explore who we are going to be, where God is calling us into ministry, and how we can share the light of Christ in Pascoag and in the world.  Please pray for us and with us as God makes something new!”