Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Wakefield, MA

Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Wakefield, MA 

This is the third entry in my blog project where I intend to explore and experience the services of many different churches, predominantly near where I live in Massachusetts. The motivation for this activity/journey is detailed in the introduction post of this blog. The institutions are important, often overlooked and even misjudged centers of our communities that seek to make a positive impact on their participants as well as others through their generosity and public serve. I'd like to learn about their impact and share what I find. It is possible that through this activity I may eventually consider a long term relationship with one of these pillars and foundations of the community, however I am eager to do a lot of exploring first.

The building and history:

Emmanuel has a very informative website that I was able to rely upon heavily to add to my observations made this Sunday. The parish itself predates the structure by more than more than thirty years as services were held in homes and public buildings in what was then known as South Reading. In 1881 the building that I visited today was build, and is described on Emmanuel's website as Carpenter Gothic style. A detailed Wikipedia entry describes this as an American Gothic revival architecture using primarily wood that highlights pointed arch windows and steep gables.

The feeling I get, which is probably quite incorrect, is that with its wood beam and stucco-like exterior, it would be at home in the countryside of an old English village. It also fits well in the quaint town of Wakefield, MA, closely located to picturesque parks on the shores of Lake Quannapowitt, as well as the quintessential town center which looks like a New England town from a post card. I often feel very lucky to live here.

The inside of the church boasts warm tones, and intricate wood carving and pointed arch doorways are carried throughout. You'll notice the crookedness of the walls, which almost appear to bow out slightly under the weight of the roof. According to the website the whole building was relocated early in the history, and it isn't surprising that between strain resulting from this, and age, that such charm would be added. The stain glassed windows are gorgeous, at least two of which are Tiffany. I regret that I didn't get pictures of those but some are available on the website.

Who Are The Parish?

On the day of my visit, many were visiting Emmanuel for a baptism, so I was in good company of being new to the church. The church itself has a relatively small footprint, however it boasts two services on Sunday. I would speculate that the parish is formed primarily by active Wakefield community members. In this area of New England Episcopal churches appear to be fairly common in communities, so it is unlikely that people travel far to one, other than of their own choice perhaps due to family history.

Like many New England churches, this Episcopal church makes a point to welcome all regardless of any differences in religious/cultural background or sexual orientation. It also opens up its communion for all to participate in.

Service:

The service is quite similar to a Catholic service, and may have even exceeded the formality and structure of some masses I've attended. Scripture spoken to in the "Lessons," in the structure of the service, promoted a disciplined life with 1 Corinthians 6:12-20, and 1 Samuel 3:1-10 spoke to God protecting those that have faith.

The sermon included reference to John 1:43-51, and the Rev. Dr. Matthew P. Cadwell used this to focus on the issue of prejudice in today's world. As the story goes, a man named Nathanael was critical when being introduced to Jesus, saying "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" But ultimately through experiencing things first-hand, Nathanael came to recognize the greatness of Jesus. Rev. Cadwell tied this to avoiding prejudice, but also that we can eliminate prejudice when we learn about and are exposed to the unfamiliar. A thoughtful message that many, even powerful people, struggle to overcome.

Rev. Cadwell, has an approachable demeanor, as exhibited in his sermon when he candidly discussed taking down Christmas decorations. He made reference to different religious based dates which one could use as markers to take down decorations, but suggested if you were really Anglican, you could follow the lead of the Queen of England, who leaves hers up to February 6th, to commemorate the anniversary of her father's death. I thought this was amusing, because it basically gives a pass to some of us who with all honesty, we're probably just lazy. I also found it noteworthy that he seems younger than so many ministers. I would guess he is between his late thirties and mid forties. Perhaps reflecting this, in one statement in describing the transition from the Christmas holidays in church, to referring to scripture that describes the adult Christ, he described the latter as more "Jesusy" (spelling?) which made the parish chuckle.

Getting to see the baptism was a very pleasant surprise. One unique thing about this intimate ceremony was Rev. Cadwell inviting all of the children to put their hands in the baptismal to help him bless the water. I noticed the baptismal prayer appear to be an interactive version of what I know as The Apostle's Creed. Interestingly it still includes the line about believing in the holy catholic church. I recently learned that Catholic, despite what we may typically think of  typically, actually means "on the whole" in Greek, or universal.

Communion in the Episcopal Church is unusual on two fronts for me. You kneel to receive it, and it was administered basically a pew at a time, and includes intinction. To show my absence from religion and ignorance, or perhaps just due to the lack of this practice in my childhood Catholicism, intinction is the practice of dipping the bread (body) into the wine (blood). My first exposure that I can recall, was the week prior, at a different church. 

My Thoughts:

I enjoyed the tradition and ritual of these ceremonies, and I'm sure that it provides comfort to many people. The sermon was purposely timely, with the negative language and "us & them" attitudes being thrown around society, people need reminders not to stoop to the lowest common denominator. We can't generalize, or at least we should at a minimum give people the benefit of the doubt and not hold them to stereotypes and preconceptions. 

One of my reasons for doing these blogs is to perhaps give people the opportunity to experience things through me, and hope that they can take something from it. Hopefully it can be a window of positivity, that despite types of religions, denomination, or whatever it maybe that makes us superficially different, maybe we can work to appreciate our commonality.

What the Congregation Does:

Emmanuel has a webpage dedicated towards its various outreach work. This includes various global & local initiatives (i,e, Habitat for Humanity, The Bread of Life) that the parish contributes and participates in, as well as an adjacent preschool/kindergarten, the Canterbury Children's Center. The parish makes rolling donations to the Wakefield Interfaith Food Pantry, and holds monthly community dinners in conjunction with a regional non-profit agency, Horizon House. At the time of this service they were actively preparing to support celebrations to honor Martin Luther King Jr. to support the Wakefield Human Rights Commission. The parish is also involved in assisting 6 dinners for those in need in nearby Malden.

Conclusion:

Emmanuel Episcopal Church is yet another great institution that I've had the pleasure of visiting that is bringing value to our communities. We past by it, admiring its quaint character, but so many of us perhaps take for granted what a difference they are making. I look forward to my next great experience in our communities. I know I will continue to be inspired to do more, and continue to try and learn more about all of the great things that happen right at my doorstep.

If you enjoy my posts, or are interested in discussing them further, don't hesitate to comment, follow this blog, and share them as you please. Prior posts are Melrose Highlands Congressional Church, and Most Blessed Sacrament in Wakefield.

Pictures by George Parks, sources found in links

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