On Sunday, Nov. 29, the Parish of the Messiah in Auburndale and Trinity Parish of Newton Centre will merge. The two congregations will join together permanently at Trinity Parish on the corner of Centre and Homer Streets in Newton Centre, according to a joint release from the parishes.
The Parish of the Messiah will celebrate its last Holy Eucharist in Auburndale on Nov. 22. On Nov. 29, the new merged parish will have its first official Sunday together at Trinity in Newton Centre. All are welcome.
"It is no coincidence that the beginning of this new church is also the beginning of the Christian church year, the first Sunday of the Advent season," the news release stated. "In the Christian faith this is a significant time of anticipation and preparation. For the people of Messiah and Trinity this is the long-awaited opportunity to accomplish together what they could not do alone."
The merger of the two historic parishes comes after almost two years of discernment and preparation for the move. There are currently eight Episcopal parishes in Newton. But the times, together with Newton’s changing demographics, no longer support that many Episcopal churches, according to the release.
The Rev. James La Macchia, Rector of the Parish of the Messiah, said in the release,“The congregations of Messiah and Trinity believe that we can be more effective evangelists and missionary disciples by joining together for worship, mission and ministry. By merging, we will be better stewards of our time, talent and treasure.”
The diocesan Standing Committee approved the merger of the two parishes in September.
For well over a century, both parishes have engaged in significant outreach to their respective surrounding communities. The Centre Street Food Pantry will continue to operate from Trinity, and the new congregation is eager to continue and to expand the outreach activities undertaken by Messiah for the last 144 years, including the administration of a special endowed fund for the poor of Newton.
The Rev. Todd Miller, Trinity’s rector, said in the release, “We are excited and energized by the potential we will have made possible by the merger of these two parishes.”
Trinity Parish is located at 11 Homer Street in Newton Center. It celebrates Holy Eucharist each Sunday at 10 a.m. Sunday School and childcare are offered beginning at 9:45 a.m. More information can be found at www.trinitynewton.org and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/trinityparishnewton.