28 July, 2021
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Hopkinton and St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church of Westboro have signed a Letter of Agreement which joins the two churches in a unique collaboration to share a Priest-in-Charge, Reverend Mary Rosendale. The Letter of Agreement was signed on Sunday, July 25 by Reverend Rosendale; Sharyn Philcox, senior warden of St. Stephen’s; Laurie LaBrecque, senior warden of St. Paul’s; Reverend Martha Hubbard, Regional Canon of the Diocese of Massachusetts; and Rev. Rich Simpson, Canon for the Ordinary for the Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts. The collaboration is unusual because it brings together churches from two different dioceses -- St. Paul’s is with the Diocese of Massachusetts, and St. Stephen’s is with the Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts.
“It’s been a joy to assist in bringing these two congregations and Rev. Rosendale together! They are remarkably open to a ministry God is calling them into together, and have shown great generosity and flexibility in working out the details,” stated Rev. Hubbard. “This is an experiment that is bound to benefit these parishes and be a model for others who might also be called to collaborate.”
“We are thrilled that we are able to bring a shared priest to St Paul’s parish and join the congregations in a supportive arrangement for celebrating our Christianity and the Word of God,” LaBrecque said. “We look forward to starting this journey together with St. Stephen’s.”
Philcox added, “It is our prayer that the combination of gifts and resources that each parish offers will provide a new way of doing church and a new way forward. We believe that by calling Mary as Priest-In-Charge for both St. Paul’s and St. Stephen’s, both churches can look with renewed hope to the future.” Rev. Rosendale had been serving as St. Stephen’s interim priest.
The collaboration will begin on September 1, 2021.
About St. Paul’s
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church is called to be an embracing, nourishing and life-giving family in Christ. St. Paul’s members believe they are called to care for each other, for the community and for the world. For more information call 508-435-4536 or visit St. Paul’s website at www.stpaulhopkinton.org. St. Paul’s is located at 61 Wood Street in Hopkinton.
About St. Stephen’s
St. Stephen’s is an open, welcoming, and inclusive parish of The Episcopal Church, located at 3 John Street in Westborough. For more information call 508-366-4134 or visit www.ststeph.com.
