Special Congregation status announcement
As of Holy Week, Holy Companion is a new Special Congregation in the High Plains Region of the Episcopal Church in Colorado! Holy Companion is the first new church plant in our diocese in fifteen years.
As of Holy Week, Holy Companion is a new Special Congregation in the High Plains Region of the Episcopal Church in Colorado! Holy Companion is the first new church plant in our diocese in fifteen years.
Holy Companion began in the fall of 2023 as a series of liturgical experiments in and around Sterling Ranch, a growing subdivision south of Littleton. With Bishop Kym Lucas’s blessing, the Rev. Lauren Grubaugh Thomas, Holy Companion’s Founding Vicar, gathered community in parks, living rooms and backyards in her neighborhood.
The Special Congregation now comprises 25 families from across Sterling Ranch and beyond, and meets three times a month for worship – the first and third Sunday mornings for Eucharist at the Overlook Clubhouse in Sterling Ranch and Second Saturday evenings in homes for Evening Prayer. As the weather warms, Holy Companion will host outdoor worship with its Joy in Creation liturgy at the Audubon Society. (Join Holy Companion for worship!)
The community’s name is inspired by the post-resurrection journey Jesus takes with two companions on the Emmaus road in Luke 24:13-35. It's a journey characterized by questions spoken, disappointments articulated, hopes expressed, and faith renewed. Companion comes from the Latin, literally meaning “with bread” – it denotes the centrality of the shared meal, the embodied remembering of Christ who is with us every step of the Way. Holy Companion describes a way of seeing the Divine – God as companion to us throughout our lives, including in moments when we don't perceive or feel God's presence. It is also a way of seeing one another – we companion one another through this journey called life, walking with some people for a season and some for a lifetime.
Always, we are accompanied.
Support:
Holy Companion’s application for Special Congregation status was sponsored by the High Plains Region, which is committed to funding the church at $40K/year for its first three years.
The North West Region also granted $5000 to the community for 2025.
Holy Companion is currently seeking additional grant funding, as well as donations from members, partner parishes, and other supporters inspired by the church’s up and coming ministry.
You can support our newest Special Congregation in a number of ways, including:
Donating online or by mailing a check to Holy Companion, PO Box 589, Littleton, CO 80160.
Help fulfill Holy Companion’s wishlist by donating new or lightly used goods.
Send a delegation from your parish to worship with Holy Companion (especially on lower attendance weekends).
Collaborate with Holy Companion on a worship service, formation program, or outreach event.
Questions can be directed to the Rev. Grubaugh Thomas at hello@holycompanion.org
Feature in Episcopal News Service - March 11, 2025
Presiding bishop affirms support for church planters as they worry about future of network, grants
We Were Featured in Episcopal News Service!
Exciting news! The Episcopal News Service recently highlighted the incredible work happening right here in Sterling Ranch, Colorado, where the Rev. Lauren Grubaugh Thomas is laying the foundation for a new Episcopal worshiping community. In an article titled “Presiding bishop affirms support for church planters as they worry about future of network, grants”, ENS explores initiatives of church-planting and community building around the country.
Sterling Ranch is a rapidly growing suburb filled with young families, making it a prime location for a thriving faith community. But starting from the ground up is no small task. In the feature, Rev. Lauren shares how support from denominational grants, local partnerships, and a national network of church planters has been essential in bringing this vision to life.
However, big changes are underway at the churchwide level. As part of a larger restructuring, the Episcopal Church is shifting its approach to church planting, raising questions about the future of funding and national support for new communities like ours. While Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe has affirmed his commitment to church planting, the focus is shifting toward diocesan leadership rather than centralized churchwide initiatives.
What does this mean for us here in Colorado? We’re stepping into a season of possibility and transition, trusting in the power of community and collaboration to keep this movement growing.
Check out the full Episcopal News Service article to learn more about this evolving landscape and the exciting work happening in Sterling Ranch: https://episcopalnewsservice.org/2025/03/11/presiding-bishop-affirms-support-for-church-planters-as-they-worry-about-future-of-network-grants/