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Health & Fitness

Local Episcopal Churches Set to Merge May 19

Grace Episcopal Church in Kirkwood and St. Matthew's Episcopal Church in Warson Woods prepare to celebrate Pentecost with the merger of their two congregations.

Kirkwood, MO – Two local Episcopal churches will begin worshiping together as one congregation Sunday, May 19 – the Day of Pentecost.

After more than a year of discernment, St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church in Warson Woods and Grace Episcopal Church in Kirkwood have decided to merge. The combined congregation will maintain Grace’s name and worship at Grace’s current facilities at 514 E. Argonne Drive in Kirkwood. Grace’s current rector, the Rev. Todd McDowell, will be the rector of the joined parish. St. Matthew’s current rector, the Rev. Doris Westfall, will become Grace’s associate rector.

“May 19 will certainly be among the most memorable days of celebration in our 154-year history,” said the Rev. Todd McDowell, “as we join the people, mission and ministries of two parishes into one.”

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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.

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St. Matthew’s will hold its last service at its current location at 1551 Bennett Ave. in Warson Woods on Sunday, May 12.  The first combined worship service at Grace Church will be Sunday, May 19 – Pentecost.

“Pentecost is a day of new beginnings,” said the Rev. Westfall. “We chose to come together at Pentecost because it is the birthday of the Church and because it is a celebration of the Holy Spirit among us.”

Grace Episcopal Church is a parish of the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri. All are welcome to worship with us each Sunday at 8 and 10 a.m. Learn more about us at www.gracekirkwood.org.

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