Emmanuel Episcopal Church

Emmanuel is a very progressive and welcoming community. I have only been once, but they seem to promote tolerance and understanding among all kinds of people. I went for the Easter service because I heard there was going to be a crazy musical performance in the middle of the service and there was! Almost 45 minutes of a Bach cantata. Oh, and there is also a rabbi in residence — very cool.

Walking down the streets of Boston one day, my friends and I were confronted with a ten-​foot-​tall black banner with bold white letters: «Get Your Ass To Church».
How do you say no to that? I mean, if that’s not a Sign… (heh.)
I don’t think any of the three of us had set foot in an Episcopalian church before — I was raised alternately Unitarian and UCC Protestant, one friend is Catholic, the other I think Christian in the I-​celebrate-​Christmas sense. But I don’t think any of us felt uncomfortable there. We attended the 5pm service — I can’t tell from the website if they’re still doing it – a low-​key, intimate affair in the smaller chapel beside the church. The demographic was young and diverse, and the reverend and the folks helping with the service were friendly.
We didn’t end up going back, but that was no fault of Emmanuel’s. I found the service meaningful. I think my Catholic friend was a little startled at the sermon’s emphasis on social action and ministry — I thought it was pretty great (and, okay, reminded me of home).
I actually had no idea that Emmanuel did music in such a big way, or else I think I would have pushed for dragging ourselves out of bed for the main service. I’ll have to go back for their concerts sometime.

This church on the first block of Newbury Street surprised me with it’s beautiful weekend music many years ago.
Walk in, stay a while, get lost in the music and leave as you please. They welcome anyone and everyone for their free music concerts in the mornings.
I know they also have evening concerts as well, go to the emmanuelmusic website for more info.