BIDDEFORD — The Christ Episcopal Church has been holding worship services for its congregation since it formed in 1869, started by a group of mill workers from the Lancaster province in England.
But yesterday the parish held its last Sunday service. Its final service as a parish will be held tonight at 11 p.m.
The church is planning to transition from a parish to a ministry, according to Rector Shirley Bowen.
The Seeds of Hope Neighborhood Center, a mission started by the parish in September 2008, will remain and continue to be housed at the church’s same Crescent Street location.
Bowen will stay on as the executive director for Seeds of Hope and be appointed as chaplain for the ministry.
The transition is taking place because “we believe we’re here to serve Biddeford,” she said.
Parish membership has dwindled ”“ at last count there were 15 members, eight of whom were active, said Bowen ”“ but attendance at Seeds of Hope has mushroomed.
When it first opened, she said, there were about 10-15 people who attended the mission, which is open from Tuesday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Now, each day it’s open, 75 to 100 people show up and they’ve had as many as 130 folks visit the mission on a single day.
Seeds of Hope provides a variety of services, said Bowen.
It hosts the Career Resource Center, which it started when the Career Center in Saco closed its doors, and it also hosts the In-a-Pinch non-food pantry.
People can also come in just to socialize and to find sustenance, both physical and spiritual, she said.
Food and beverages are available at all times when the doors are open.
“One of the most important things we do here,” said the chaplain, “is we provide a listening ear and hospitality.
“Some of the folks who come here are on the margins,” she said. “This is a place where they can be fully welcomed and people are glad to see them.”
All are welcomed at Seeds of Hope, she said, no matter one’s religious faith and even those with no religion.
Seeds of Hope was started, said Bowen, after discussions with members and others using the space at Christ Episcopal.
“They felt this was a response to God’s call to serve his children in Biddeford,” she said, adding, “I am so proud” of the members for unselfishly giving up their church and starting this new ministry.
“The need for our mission and service has grown tremendously,” said Joni Carpenter, who is the longest serving volunteer at Seeds of Hope, having been there 3 1/2 years .
“Some come in absolutely devastated,” she said, having lost a job or been evicted from their homes.
Carpenter said she finds volunteering at Seeds of Hope “very rewarding. I feel I receive a lot more than I give.”
While Sunday services will no longer be held at Christ Episcopal, said Bowen, she will hold a weekly evening religious service and offer pastoral care when needed.
— Staff Writer Dina Mendros can be contacted at 282-1535, Ext. 324 or dmendros@journaltribune.com.
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