Christ Episcopal Church

Holy Ground for People on a Faith Journey

Our Search for Our New Rector

Our Search Committee


Bebe Krug	Debbie Kimbal	Dawn Erardy

Cynthia Adams	Dale Ann Beebe	Linda Duplessis

Chuck Norris	Lloyd Schram

Our Prayer

Ever present God, giver of every good gift,
You call us on a journey to a place we do not know.
Look graciously upon us and guide our minds and hearts
as we search for a priest for this parish
so that we will receive a faithful priest
who will care for your people, and equip us for our ministries,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Our Mission

Christ Episcopal Church Norwich is an inclusive, caring, and unified congregation, which welcomes people from all backgrounds. We are a multigenerational parish with a strong Episcopal tradition. Located in an urban community, the "gateway" church to downtown Norwich, we lift up Christ in our liturgy, Christian formation, spiritually inspired music and provide Holy ground for people on a faith journey. In order to improve ourselves, we look beyond ourselves to serve God in our community. We have a forward looking and ever growing commitment to local out reach and Christian stewardship. We seek to share Christ's light and God's grace with others.

Our Vision

As members of Christ's body we strive to spread His love in the world by:

Feeding the hungry
Expanding His ministry
Encouraging and fostering increased individual participation in His Church
Sharing the gift of music and the arts in our community
Welcoming and supporting all who seek His grace

Parish Profile

Community Demographics

Norwich was founded in 1659 by English Puritans from Old Saybrook, at the juncture of the Thames, Yantic and Shetucket rivers. The present 27.1 square miles was purchased from the local Native American Mohegan Tribe. [More Community Demographis here]

Our Parish History

In a city settled by refugees from the Church of England, it's not surprising Norwich's first Episcopalians were a tiny minority among their Puritan neighbors. At a meeting on January 7, 1747, it was decided to "build a church for the worship of Almighty God, according to the Litergie of the Church of England." [More Parish History here]

Telling Our Story

Many of our parishioners said how much they learned about "us" when we gathered for lunch in the Pine Room after Sunday Eucharist to "tell our story" on Sunday, December 6, 2009. One thing we all learned was the richness of our "living history," with members who span the decades from before World War II to the present. [More Parish History here]

Buildings & Grounds

Our church is located at 78 Washington Street in Norwich, Connecticut. The building is an English Gothic, brown Portland sandstone with a black walnut interior. A 1962 explosion destroyed all of the church's stained glass windows except the rear Renaissance-style aisle nave windows depicting the Annunciation and Resurrection. [More Buildings & Grounds here]

Worship

"The Episcopal Church strives to live by the message of Christ, in which there are no outcasts and all are welcome. Walking a middle way between Roman Catholicism and Protestant traditions, we are a sacramental and worship-oriented church that promotes thoughtful debate about what God is calling us to do and be, as followers of Christ." [More on Worship here]

Lay Ministry

Eucharistic Ministers, The Sunshine Club, Hospitality Ministry, Angel Food Ministry, Episcopal Church Women.

Parish Administration

Parish Administration consists of the Vestry, Staff: Parish Administrator, Music Director, Youth Ministry Coordinator, Sexton and Treasurer and our Volunteers whom without the church could not run. Our Volunteers consist of the Alter Guild, Lay Eucharist Visitors and others. [More on Parish Administration here]

Please visit "Parish Profile" for more on Stewardship & Finances, Goals & Expectations, and What Our Next Rector Can Expect of Us. Or see our complete "Parish Profile" [.pdf] for photos, charts and additional topics of Pledging, Finanace Committee, Fiscal Realities, and Budget Summary.