39 West Orvis Street, Massena, NY 13662

(315) 769-8523

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ABOUT

Learn more about who we are, where we come from and our team.

A WELCOME MESSAGE FROM OUR PASTOR

 

Welcome to Emmanuel Congregational UCC. I have served this church since 2005 and love this congregation. We are a community (actually, a family) from all walks of life. We are diverse in gender, age, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, abilities and ethnicity.  

 

Emmanuel is known for seeking truth, justice and equality for all. Questions are welcome here, and I am the first to acknowledge that we do not have all the answers and are comfortable in that. All of us search for meaning and purpose in life. It is in that quest that we welcome others to join us, recognizing that we all navigate life in different ways and time tables. Some of our folks know little about the Bible and some know quite a bit about it - that's ok too. Some of us come only on Sunday mornings, and some of us attend every opportunity offered.

 

We invite you to connect with others who have questions, discover what you believe and belong to a faith family who will love you and accept you, no matter what. The most important thing you need to know about us is that we are a community that really cares about one another and strives to show our love of God and love of neighbor as best we can.

 

If you would like to talk with me or have any questions about our church, you can contact us at any time.

 

Be blessed,

Pastor Judy


 

WHO WE ARE

 

  • We are people searching for meaning in life.
  • We are people who enjoy our time together: caring, accepting and loving each other.
  • We are single, married, not married, separated, divorced and remarried.
  • We are seekers of truth, equality, justice and compassion.
  • We are people very new to the church and many who have been here longer than they care to remember.
  • We are folks who know little about the Bible and those who know quite a bit about it.
  • We are Sunday morning only members and those who come to everything.
  • We are beginners on the journey of faith along with those who have travelled quite a distance.

HISTORY:

 

Our church began in the 1830s as the Second Congregational Church. It was the first organized church in the town of Massena. In the early 1920s, the church purchased property and built a larger church, taking the name as Emmanuel Congregational Church. We joined the United Church of Christ when it formed in the fifties.

Our DNA is composed of strong, independent thinkers, with a desire to see God's justice realized in our community and the world. In 2005, we became an Open and Affirming church, welcoming everyone. In 2006 we made a decision to tithe 10% of our giving to missions outside of our church walls. This, as well as a series of workshops called Bridge Builders, helped us to understand that a healthy church is transparent, able to work through conflict in an open and loving way and is also outward focused. That was the beginning of our transformation.  

 

In 2007, our church was struck by lightning and suffered a devastating fire. We took our time deciding whether we should rebuild and discerned that God had a plan for us. Our mantra became, "the church building may be gone, but the church is still strong." As we sojourned for two and a half years as the church was rebuilt, we were invited to return to our original church building across the street (then owned by the Jewish Community as their place of worship). It was a time of returning to our roots and learning also about our Judaic roots as well.

 

Our commitment was to only rebuild if our building could be fully accessible to all, and we were able to put an addition on with a full sized elevator. We do not shrink in the face of adversity because we have learned that God will supply our "needs,” not necessarily our "wants." Even as we live into our faith in new ways during this time of COVID-19 social distancing, we anticipate God doing new and innovative things in our midst. We watch for new opportunities for reaching folks that may have felt distanced from their faith.  

 

Every Sunday morning, our welcome includes these words: "Whoever you are… Wherever you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here. Regardless of gender, age, orientation, socio-economic status, disability, race or ethnicity or any other barriers you think may separate you from God - they do not exist here, and you are welcome.”

 

Your presence makes our time of celebration together complete.


 

MEET OUR TEAM

 

Meet the team that keeps Emmanuel running and makes it a welcoming place for all people.

CHURCH DOCUMENTS:


Read our church’s Covenant of Conduct and the inspiring sermon after the fire in 2007.


GALLERY