Stephen Babcock welcomed congregants to our sanctuary for more than twenty years.
Then following The Rev. Hugh Weaver’s suggestion, he began to serve as usher and welcome congregants on Sundays. His ministry was to last more than two decades, until the Covid pandemic put an end to it. Standing outside what we now call the Babcock Doors in all seasons, he greeted each parishioner by name and helped newcomers find their way. His smile and kindliness will be remembered by all who have been privileged to know him.
Our first website was launched by Donald Kreider, who later served as vestry member, clerk, and treasurer.
Ecclesia today sustains common cathedral, common art (which meets at Emmanuel on Wednesdays), and Boston Warm (which meets at Emmanuel on Mondays and Fridays).
The Rev. Dr. Deborah Little 
Wyman, who was sponsored by Emmanuel, was ordained to the priesthood by the Rt. Rev. Barbara Harris, the Episcopal Church’s first woman bishop. She describes her “Journey to Street Priesthood” on common cathedral’s website. See also 1996.
Christ the King, Proper 29C, November 24, 2013; The Rev. Pamela L. Werntz
Merciful and generous God, grant us the strength, the wisdom and the courage to seek always and everywhere after truth, come when it may, and cost what it will.
There are days when I am tempted to depart from preaching the lectionary – and this is one of those days. There’s a lot going on this morning. Today is the Feast of the Reign of Christ – or Christ the King Sunday. This is the last Sunday in the church year – the completion of our lectionary cycle of Bible readings – our version of the Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah!1 Our new liturgical year begins next week. Also, it’s almost Thanksgiving and just past the somber 50th anniversary of the assassination of President Kennedy. We are celebrating the baptism of Connor Christopher Carmine today, welcoming him into the household of faith at Emmanuel Church. And it’s pledge stewardship Sunday – a day on which we give thanks to God for this parish’s important witness in the world, and pledge our financial commitment to do all in our power to keep the ministries and ministers of this place going – or better, growing — for another year! Quite a casserole! And those are just the things I know about. I’m sure there’s more going on with you all. (That’s just how life is, isn’t it?) Continue reading
John Harbison; photo credit: Julian Bullitt
John Harbison dedicated to our benefactor Priscilla Rawson Young his memorable setting of 1 Corinthians 11:23-5 as “Communion Words“, which we sing with his other service music in Lent.
James Primosch composed “Meditation for Candlemas”, first of several motets based on the poetry of Denise Levertov, who attended Emmanuel in the 1980s. It was sung in our service on Feb. 1, 2015. Here is the text of “Candlemas” from her collection Breathing the Water (NY: New Directions, 1987). Continue reading
I hope you are all doing well. With Thanksgiving approaching, I thought it would be a good time to reflect on what unites us all together as people, which I feel is a large part of what Thanksgiving is about. Also, I know at this time of year we are all so busy so I will keep this short, sweet and to the point.
There are so many diverse programs that go on at Emmanuel Church at times it feels like all we could possibly share is the building. Lately, I’ve been thinking that we share something else as well: we all share a table. The same tables used for church gatherings are the tables used for common art, the same for the Café Emmanuel lunch, the same for Central Reform Temple Torah Study, and for many other events held at Emmanuel. Continue reading
Hi everyone! The Halloween spirit was alive at Emmanuel for sure, with many creative, resourceful, scary, and fabulous costumes. I saw a wizard-like witch’s hat with bats flying around the rim, an inventive cape and hood made from a sheet and pillow case, brains made from different colored saran wraps and glue, several masks, a biker, and so many other imaginative costumes that fascinated and inspired me. Halloween seems to be the one time of year that as adults we can allow our inner children out to play but what if we could give ourselves permission to play more frequently? Continue reading
Proper 28C, November 17, 2013; The Rev. Pamela L. Werntz
O God of our testimony, grant us the strength, the wisdom and the courage to seek always and everywhere after truth, come when it may, and cost what it will.
Our collect for the day is my all-time favorite. “Blessed Lord who caused all holy scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn and inwardly digest them.” Eat this scroll – as the story goes in Ezekiel. This is holy scripture – eat up! Inwardly digest it. Except, I have to say, apocalyptic Biblical literature, can be hard to swallow for many progressive Christians, and that is what is on our plates in today’s Gospel lesson from Luke.
Biblical scholars are in wide agreement that these passages, written as a prediction, describe what had already happened to the followers of the Rabbi from Nazareth. By the time Luke was written near the end of the first century, the temple in Jerusalem had been destroyed by the Roman army in the year 70. Nations were rising against nations, and utter chaos and devastation were being experienced by those who claimed Jesus as Lord. Was Jesus able to predict this future? Just as sure as he was able to quote Isaiah and 2 Chronicles that predicted the same thing. Continue reading