In 2007, the United Church of Christ (UCC) set a goal of planting 250 new churches over the next five years, and more than 1,600 new churches by 2021. As the fourth largest congregation in the denomination, the Cathedral of Hope (COH) felt called to be a leader in this effort. The South, including Texas, has the lowest density of UCC congregations in the nation, yet a large number of individuals expressed interest in response to the “God is still speaking” advertising campaign. In response, the Cathedral of Hope made a commitment to plant five new churches over the next five years. To date two churches have been established to include locations in Houston and the Mid-Cities area of the Metroplex.

Houston

Cathedral of Hope Houston, or CoH-H, celebrated its second Easter Sunday together this month. In addition to inspiring worship, COH-H also welcomed a new member class. The congregation is currently being served for the interim by Rev. Dawson Taylor, a member of the Cathedral of Hope Dallas clergy team. You can help sustain CoH-H’s growth by inviting your friends and family in Houston to attend worship with CoH-H. Cathedral of Hope-Houston worships regularly on Sunday evenings at 5 p.m. at Grace Lutheran Church, 2515 Waugh Drive. Please let your friends in Houston know about this vibrant community by sharing the website www.CoHHouston.com.

Mid-Cities

The Cathedral of Hope’s latest church planting effort, in the Mid-Cities area of the Dallas-Ft. Worth Metroplex, held its second monthly gathering on the evening of Palm Sunday. In a worship service led by Rev. Michael Piazza, Senior Pastor Rev. Dr. Jo Hudson, and contemporary ensemble, Voices of Hope, the congregation learned how to find the “Glee” that leads to the joy of Easter Sunday. With 84 people in attendance, the church is poised to begin weekly worship services in June. (Incidentally, the average church in America has 75 people in attendance!) In the meantime, small groups are being formed for bible study and fellowship. The next gathering will be held at the end of April and will be led by Rev. Dr. Jo Hudson who will lead a discussion on what it means to be a church in the Hurst/Euless/Bedford area, what it means to be a parish church of The Cathedral of Hope, and what it means to be part of the United Church of Christ. If you have friends or family in the Mid-Cities area of the Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex, please invite them to contact us at rector@cathedralofhope.com so they can be included in the exciting opportunity of being a part of a new church at its beginning.