Greetings Emmanuelites and Happy 2014! I was sick for most of last week, so I missed both Common Art and Café Emmanuel. However, last Monday at the prison there were some new faces as well as some women who had not been present to make cards for their loved ones in a few weeks. It is always such a wonderful feeling when the women return to make art and engage in creating a community with us. I love to see their smiling faces and hear their greetings. Some of them have even felt comfortable enough to hug the volunteers hello and goodbye and I have noticed a much more talkative room these last few weeks. Continue reading
Monthly Archives: January 2014
The Beauty of Holiness
Epiphany 3A, January 26, 2014; The Rev. Pamela L. Werntz
Isaiah 9:1-4 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.
1 Corinthians 1:10-18 I appeal to you…that all of you be in agreement and that there be no divisions among you.
Matthew 4:12-23 Follow me, and I will make you fish for people…Immediately they left.
1 Corinthians 1:10-18 I appeal to you…that all of you be in agreement and that there be no divisions among you.
Matthew 4:12-23 Follow me, and I will make you fish for people…Immediately they left.
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.
Today is the day that we hold our Annual Meeting at Emmanuel and celebrate 154 years in the City of Boston of subverting the dominant paradigm. Our subversive work has undoubtedly ebbed and flowed through the years, but as far as I can tell, it’s in the DNA of this place. (So we’re looking forward to more!) Our archives are replete with predictions that we would never survive (and we still might not), but look how far we’ve come! I will confess to you, that as your Rector, anticipating our Annual Meeting, I am especially drawn to Paul’s plea to the church in Corinth that the people all be in agreement and that there be no divisions or quarrelling among them – that they all be of the same mind and purpose. That sounds so appealing to me, but I’m sure Paul never got his wish, and I’m not even sure that lack of division or dissent is healthy. So please know that when we say that all are welcome, we include those with dissenting voices. I don’t like dissent or quarrelling, but I do like a healthy community, and I know that dissent is a necessary ingredient. Continue reading
Lamb of God
Epiphany 2A, January 19, 2014; The Rev. Pamela L. Werntz
Isaiah 49:1-7 I will give you as a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.
1 Corinthians 1:1-9 God is faithful.
John 1:29-41 Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.
1 Corinthians 1:1-9 God is faithful.
John 1:29-41 Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.
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.
We’ve been hearing readings from the Gospel of Matthew over the last eight weeks. We will return to Matthew next week. But this week it is as if the Lectionary announces, “We interrupt our serial reading of the Gospel of Matthew to bring you this Good News from the Gospel of John. Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. John the Baptist has testified to it.” But what on earth does that mean? You know, that’s a question that I get asked. “What does ‘Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world’ mean?” And like a good pastoral listener, my response is, “What do you think?” Part of me is truly interested in what the questioner thinks. And part of me is dodging the question. Continue reading
It’s great to be back at Emmanuel.
I just got back to Boston last week, and I’m very happy to see everyone’s smiling faces again. It’s been odd being away for a month; I feel as though so much has happened at the church since I’ve been away. Thankfully, Amanda, Liz, and Pam all got me back up to speed. I hear that things have been a little hectic, but that everyone is supporting each other and treating one another with grace, kindness, and compassion. This pleases me immensely! Continue reading
2016
The Rev. Robert Greiner
June. The Rev. Robert Greiner was ordained to the diaconate and began his tenure with us.
Kevin Neel began his six-year tenure as organist and director of our parish choir.
Kevin Neel playing our Rogers organ
Outwitted by Love
Eve of Epiphany, January 5, 2014; The Rev. Pamela L. Werntz
Isaiah 60:1-6 Arise, shine; for your light has come.
Ephesians 3:1-12 [It] will enable you to perceive my understanding of the mystery of Christ.
Matthew 2:1-12 Opening their treasure chests.
Ephesians 3:1-12 [It] will enable you to perceive my understanding of the mystery of Christ.
Matthew 2:1-12 Opening their treasure chests.
O God of light and love, grant us the wisdom, the strength, and the courage to seek always and everywhere after truth, come when it may and cost what it will.
Happy Epiphany Eve, everyone! Technically, this is the Second Sunday after Christmas Day and tonight is Twelfth Night – when the Lord of Misrule reigns and kings become peasants and vice versa! So it’s not quite Epiphany, and I generally don’t like to celebrate holidays before they arrive, but there is an exception to almost every rule. You probably know by now that pragmatism nearly always trumps idealism for me, and I didn’t think so many of you would be able to come to church tomorrow to celebrate the Feast of Epiphany! So whether you are still savoring the last day of Christmas or you’ve already packed up the decorations for another year, we are all on the cusp of moving from the season when we are called to rejoice in the light, to the season when we are called to show that light or reflect that light in our wider worlds. Continue reading