Parish of the Messiah

Messiah is “a welcoming Episcopal community of healing and hope, justice and song.”  While this phrase might be newly-minted, those values have been at the heart of our community since our founding in 1871.

Welcoming:  At the Mass on Sunday, we are reminded that “This is God’s table and all are welcome!” There is no barrier to being part of the Parish of the Messiah, and that openness is reflected in the diversity of our community in race, class, creed, age, sexuality and politics. We are from many countries, and some of us are part of interfaith families. 

Episcopal:  Messiah is part of the Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Massachusetts. We are part of the Charles River Deanery. Our Anglican roots make us one of the ancient orders of Christians, along with the Catholic and Orthodox churches.  We are Catholic in our sacramental theology and Protestant in the democratic nature of our community. There are a lot of great things we could say about the Episcopal Church, but the best way to find out about us is to come on a Sunday morning and experience it for yourself!

Community:  Messiah is a “family sized” parish, which makes our community especially welcoming and friendly. At a normal Sunday service expect anywhere from 30 to 50 people, including perhaps a dozen children. You won’t be the only newcomer -- nearly two-thirds of us have joined the parish in the last ten years!

Healing:  Every Sunday, we offer anointing and laying on of hands in a quiet prayer for healing. We find healing in other ways as well. Being part of a prayerful, welcoming community has helped many people repair their relationship with God and with the church.

Hope:  Life is hard, but through God all things are possible. Join us in prayer and song and rediscover what it means to be hopeful!

Justice:  We believe that prayer needs to be more than just pretty words -- if we want healing in the world, we need to respond to God’s call for justice. Whether it is helping to build a library in a South African township, collecting food for the local food pantry, or helping neighbors in financial need, Messiah strives to embody the justice of Jesus’ beatitudes.

Song:  “To us and to God, your voice is beautiful!”  The music at Messiah is ancient and modern, a thoughtful mixture of Anglican chant and hymns both classic and new. Our parish musician, Tim Treacy, hails from Ireland. We select hymns that are enjoyable to sing and whose lyrics and music lifts up our hearts in prayer.