SCEC Info Sheet, printable version.
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Where feeling welcome is just the beginning
Who we are, why we're different
Southwick Community Episcopal Church was planted by Rev. Taylor Albright in 2004 for the specific purpose of bringing church to the unchurched, the disillusioned, and those who are seeking a church they can call their own. It is a church that meets people where they are on life’s journey, providing an oasis where they can be refreshed and strengthened in Christ.
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What is important to us
• Seeking a personal relationship
• Responding to the personal leading of the Holy Spirit • Experiencing our faith creatively and purposefully • Meeting people at all ages and stages of life • Seeing miracles in response to prayer |
What we are called to
• Enhancing our youth ministry
• Prioritizing community service • Revitalizing and expanding our mission • Deepening our faith through education |
Our journey of faith
Our church is still in its infancy. Since its inception, SCEC has known one shepherd, who gathered together a diverse flock. For many of us, the Episcopal faith was unfamiliar, but our hearts and minds were open to God, and we have eagerly and joyfully embraced our faith and calling. It is that same openness to God that leads us in our search for our next rector, who we believe is even now being called by Him to serve and to share our faith, fun and fellowship.
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There is something here that we don’t see at many churches anymore. This place is special.” The Very Reverend Jim Munro Dean, Christ Church Cathedral (retired) |
We invite you to grow with us and to help us grow in our relationship with God, as we continue to follow the direction of the Holy Spirit in loving acceptance of one another, the formation of our youth, our pastoral ministry, and our outreach mission, helping us continue and build on the strong faith of this burgeoning faith community. |
Opportunities for our shepherd
• Deliver scriptural messages that help us meet today’s challenges
• Share responsibility with us for identifying God’s vision for our church and bringing it to fruition • Offer coaching for lay leaders • Lead and inspire us with humor and open communication to face our challenges and follow God’s purpose • Be a catalyst for creativity • Build strong community alliances |
Our Community
The town of Southwick (pop. 9,711 in 2018, 31.7 square miles) is nestled in the Pioneer Valley just minutes away from the city of Springfield with major state highways, the Mass. Turnpike (I-90) and I-91, readily accessible. Southwick shares its southern border with Connecticut, claiming the historically disputed “Notch” that juts into this neighboring state. Many of our parishioners join us from Connecticut and from the city of Westfield to our north.
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Southwick has three schools that serve the towns of Southwick, Granville and Tolland, with an enrollment of 1,500 students (2018-2019).
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Six-plus miles of rail trail pass through the town, connecting to the 40-mile Farmington Canal Heritage Trail in Connecticut and the Columbia Greenway Rail Trail in Westfield. The Congamond Lakes draw summer visitors for camping, swimming, fishing and boating, and the Metacomet-Monadnock hiking trail winds through before ascending Provin Mountain along the town’s eastern border.
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Interested Applicants