The First Parish of Truro, United Church of Christ, has welcomed Revs. Chad and Anastasia Kidd as the church’s co-pastors, starting in the summer of 2016.  The Revs. Kidd come to Truro from Boston, and are no strangers to the area.  “I grew up coming here,” says Rev. Anastasia; “I have family that lives in the area, and so this is really like a homecoming of sorts.”  Rev. Chad, too, has fallen in love with the Outer Cape, saying, “It is a much different pace of life here.  We look forward to getting to know the area, especially its people.”

They both attended seminary at the Boston University School of Theology, a school known as the “School of The Prophets” for its commitments to social justice.  The Kidds were drawn to this seminary ethos after graduating from college in Nashville, TN.  “Relocation from the South to the Northeast was a culture shock, of course – and not only for the change in the weather,” says Rev. Chad; “We were used to large churches of several hundred members in the South.  We came here and found that most churches are much smaller.  And that reflects the trends in most Christian denominations across the country.  But we’ve found that what churches around here lack in size they make up for in the earnest desire to do good in the world.”

The Revs. Kidd believe that the church of the 21st century is changing, and that churches sometimes have to experiment with renewed models of ministry.  They say they are inspired by the ways First Parish Truro celebrates its congregation’s history while also looking toward its future.  The congregation was first founded in 1709, and its building is the oldest on the Outer Cape, having been built in 1827.  The church was placed on National Register of Historic Places in 2013.  “This is really a tremendous heritage to honor,” offers Rev. Chad; “And yet Anastasia and I have been very impressed with how forward-thinking the congregation is.”  Several years ago the congregation realized their building was not just historic, but also quite useful to the Truro community.  A secular group, Friends of the Truro Meeting House, was formed, and this organization has drawn support for the building’s upkeep, including grant funding for renovations that recently made the building’s entrance wheelchair accessible.  The next major project is a renovation of the Paul Revere bell that graces the church’s belfry.  The Friends also host a bevy of cultural and educational events in the historic space each year, a schedule of which can be found on http://www.truromeetinghousefriends.com/. 

“As excited as we are to serve an historic parish, it’s the ministry of the people we’re most excited about,” offers Rev. Anastasia; “Truro has an interesting mix of folks – lifelong residents and vacationers, summer laborers and weekenders – where else could all these people feel welcome to mix but a church?  We’re hoping First Parish Truro can be a place of spiritual nurture and genuine community for anyone seeking these things.”  The Revs. Kidd point out that the United Church of Christ, the denomination of First Parish Truro, is a church with deep commitments to social justice, and that First Parish itself is “Open and Affirming,” meaning that people of all sexual orientations and expressions are welcome into the full life and ministry of the congregation.  “The table is open to all,” says Rev. Chad; “If Jesus is the host, how can anyone be turned away?”

The new pastors’ first official worship with the congregation will be Sunday, June 19th.  Coincidentally, this will also be the annual joint worship service between First Parish Truro and the First Congregational Church of Wellfleet, which is served by Rev. Paul Cullity.  Services that morning will begin at 10am at the First Parish of Truro; 3 Parish Lane; Truro, MA 02666.  All are welcome, parking is plentiful, and the building is wheelchair accessible.

First Parish Welcomes New Ministers