Leading up to the holidays was a very fun time at common art, of making festive art and talking about plans and memories. Having these things to look forward to helped create an uplifted spirit in the community, even with the weather getting colder. Coming back after the holidays, however, I could definitely feel a slump among everyone in the community. Many of our staff and volunteers were away last week and will be away for a little while for varying reasons. COVID also hangs very heavily over me and the community at this time. So, I felt a little overwhelmed, in addition to feeling that lull myself, I also felt that I had to make myself bigger and have more energy to fill the spaces that were now empty. I know these coming months will be a challenge to bring excitement and art making to our community because of the winter lull.
Author Archives: Elizabeth Richardson
Thanksgiving Table
Before fully jumping into this next part of the holiday season I want to write about the great success that was common art on Thanksgiving Eve. As I had wanted to take on a bigger project with everyone for a while, I challenged myself to come up with an art activity that would engage almost the whole community around thanksgiving. While I have led one or two tables in artmaking and pulled community members in, I had not yet attempted to engage as many people as possible. This was also a good challenge for me as one of the biggest things I am continually working on is “pulling people in” to the artmaking process. I feel joy when I am able to have someone who doesn’t often engage in the art, create something.
Farewell, Amanda!
This week at common art we had another staff member leave us. This was Executive Director Amanda Grant-Rose’s last week. On Wednesday at a big celebration in her honor many of our community members gave speeches and goodbyes. It was wonderful to hear everybody share stories about what an impact Amanda had on their lives over the seven years she worked here. This experience made me think more deeply about how we can influence each other’s lives and my own role here at common art. Two weeks prior we had lost our barista. I spoke a little bit in my previous blog post about the effect this loss has on the community. Both he and Amanda played big rolls in the lives of our community for the years they were here.
The Widow’s Mite
Lately I’ve been thinking about some of the contrasts that chase us through life at Emmanuel. They start on Sunday when I walk over the small round disk embossed BOSTON GROUNDWATER TRUST, which is set into the sidewalk in front of the church. It’s one of 800 wells monitoring the groundwater that still covers the 200,000 Maine spruce-tree trunks that were steam-pile driven-in 160 years ago to keep our feet out of the soup below. Sure, I know that part of the motivation for filling the Back Bay was to keep prosperous white Protestants from decamping to the suburbs, and my Irish great-grandfather south of the tracks. But still, there’s no way to get into Emmanuel without at least an unthinking pilgrimage over that magical, invisible, upside-down forest.
Why I Contribute to Emmanuel Church & Why Others Should, Too
The first word that comes to mind when I think about Emmanuel is open-heartedness. It’s clear from the moment you enter the door that all are welcome here, no questions asked, no conformity to one doctrine, one church tradition, one brand of spirituality required. Yes, of course, it’s a Christian institution. But there’s no requirement to comply with a physical attitude – or for that matter, a spiritual attitude – to feel comfortable here. Kneel or stand at the communion rail, if in fact you take communion at all. Pass the peace to those around you, whether it’s the peace of Christ or simply an expression of good will from one person to another. It’s more than possible at Emmanuel to simply revel in the company of the like-minded – or maybe not-so-like-minded – people around you. Drink in the music, which is what got me here in the first place. Continue reading
Grateful Former Wardens
About 25 years ago we spotted a headline on the front page of the Boston Globe stating, “Historic church in Back Bay is about to close and become a concert hall”. We greeted this semi-accurate and hyperbolic announcement with great joy! It prompted us to investigate and soon to embrace Emmanuel as our church home.
Otherwise
I appreciate the opportunity to share some thoughts on my gratitude for what Emmanuel Church has been for me.
Shortly before her death in 1995, the American poet Jane Kenyon wrote a poem entitled “Otherwise”. Very ill at the time and keenly aware of her imminent passing, Kenyon names with gratitude the simple pleasures of her day, concluding each gratitude with the phrase “it might be otherwise”, until the short poem concludes with “one day, I know it will be otherwise”.
2020 Videos about Giving Time & Talent
Because of the pandemic these “pulpit pitches” were recorded for our YouTube channel. Thanks to Christopher Connors, Nancy Coppelman, Carolyn Beard, and Michael Vimont for their testimonials and witness to our ministry.
Leaving without Saying Goodbye
This week at common art the unexpected departure of one of our beloved community members was announced. We were told that he had found a job and had just moved to start it. It was his wish to leave without telling many people and to leave no contact information. While I have only been at the program now for two months, I felt this loss greatly. He had worked as our barista, our food liaison, if you will. He served the community coffee and meals with a smile and could often be heard laughing.
Pulling in New Participants
This week went smoothly. Monday at the prison, I chose to have the women attending Art & Spirituality share a word they felt drawn to. I spent the evening writing them in script. I am thinking that I may add more words over time to build some kind of collage of them. I think it would be nice to set it up each week for the women to see, especially as it grows with more words.