Medford Churches Host Joint Blessing of the Palms

Medford’s Grace Episcopal Church and St. Joseph Catholic Church held a joint event in honor of Christianity’s holiest time of the year.

In a new spin on an old tradition, Grace Episcopal Church processed to St. Joseph’s this year for the annual joint Blessing of the Palms service. In years past St. Joseph’s always came to the Grace Church front lawn. Grace Church brought a colt as part of its procession to St. Joesph’s with an actor playing Jesus riding on it. Father Chip Hines from St. Joseph’s warmly greeting Grace Church parishioners at the beginning of the ceremony. Fr. Chip and the Reverend Noah Evans from Grace Church both blessed the palms to begin the Holy Week celebrations in each church.

“The tradition began and continues as an ecumenical expression between two churches who are just a block from one another,” said the Reverend Evans. “The two parishes from different traditions share in a common faith, and concern for the wider Medford community.”

– Information and photos submitted by Rev. Noah Evans