Facing a declining and aging membership, members at St. Matthew’s began a discernment process last year to map out a strategy for their future. The parish considered many options, and decided that merging with another church was the best way to fulfill their mission.
In September of 2012, St. Matthew’s invited Grace Church to enter into a discernment process towards a merger. After a faithful discernment, Grace’s clergy and lay leadership approved the merger and the two parishes began preparing for their future together.
Wow. Grace is one of the oldest Episcopal churches in this area.
“Radical stability” strikes again! In spite of the gozpell of inclusiveness and diversity, even! And all since 2009! http://www.diocesemo.org/news/2009/11/20/bishops-address-to-convention/
The parish statistics buttons no longer work so we can’t tell the size or history of these churches.
I have no specific knowledge, only a vague familiarity with the parishes and their respective communities. My guess is that Grace is at least holding its own. They have the facilities to absorb what remains of St. Matthew’s. St. Matt’s has always been small and economics & demographics caught up with them.
The circumstances in the Episcopal Church being what they are, we will hear of more such moves.