Good morning! My name is Carol Reiman. I am a newer member of Emmanuel, attending regularly for a little over a year.

The website drew me. The prospect of listening to a Bach cantata as part of the Sunday service–wonderful! The invitation beyond issues of belief. I was interested in revisiting communion, which had been a part of my childhood in an interfaith family. As it turns out, Emmanuel has a warm family relationship with Central Reform Temple, which also holds services in the church. I am delighted to have become a member of that congregation as well. I was also impressed by the programs that provide such things as food, shelter, connection, and art sessions for those with few resources.

From watching a few services online, I picked up a sense of reverence, dedication, flexibility, and good humor. After a conversation with Deacon Bob Greiner, during which I began to feel as if I had known him for a long time, I started to attend services in person. Emmanuel has continued to feel welcoming, with people genuinely interested, encouraging participation, with conversation topics ranging from opera to family history and recipes, gardening, books, local arts events, any number of things, and what are the differences between clementines and tangerines and then what is an orange.

I learned that the theme for this year’s pledge season is “Building Bridges of Compassion and Peace.” In addition to what I have already noted, I had recently thought of my love for bridges, ships, and trains as related to movement. All of these structures are means of moving, transporting, connecting.

Each of my experiences at Emmanuel involves both movement and a steady base. The music lifts me up, provides comfort and peace, and brings me down deep into myself. Communion integrates the tangible and the intangible, allowing me to access inner space for reflection, as well as making me part of the community of those who are present. The sermons bring new ways of seeing, with reminders to be more open to others and to other communities.

There are many ways to participate in the Emmanuel experience, and we welcome your presence. This month we highlight financial support. Pledging for the 2024 church year helps to plan the budget in paying the salaries of our dedicated clergy and staff and supporting Emmanuel’s activities and community connections. The pledge packets have been mailed. If you have not received one, please talk with our Senior Warden Liz Levin. It would be most helpful for you to return your pledge card by November 1st.

I invite you to think about what Emmanuel means to you, to open yourselves up, and to stretch in support as we continue to build bridges of compassion and peace.

Thank you!

–Carol Reiman, 10/15/2023