Welcome!

While no website can answer every question, this site is designed to give you a sense of who we are and what is important to us. The members of Emmanuel are representative of the Petoskey/Harbor Springs community. In our midst are young families and retirees; life-long residents and those who have just moved into the area; Democrats and Republicans; teachers, business people, non-profit professionals, and members of the medical community; snowbirds and year-round residents. A few are life-long Episcopalians, but most have come with a different church background, or no church experience at all.

We are a come-as-you-are bunch: not simply in dress but with whatever questions, doubts, or struggles you have. While not perfect at it, members keep coming back because they have found a group of people who care for one another.

Worship on Sunday morning goes to the core of who we are. In the midst of the readings from Scripture, sermon, music, silence, prayers, and sharing of the blessed bread and wine of Holy Communion (Mass, Eucharist), we find moments of connection to God and the spiritual life within us. This is not the only place we experience God in our lives, but it is a unique opportunity where God’s Spirit reaches out to us through the busyness and clutter of our daily lives.

We are particularly passionate about supporting those in are community who are hungry. We partner with Cross of Christ Lutheran Church in providing a free lunch at First Presbyterian Church every Thursday. We initiated and now work with many partners in operating Youth Pantries (food, hygiene products, school supplies, and limited special clothing items) every Friday in four local schools: Petoskey Middle and High School, Harbor Springs Middle School, and Lakeview Academy. Between the four sites we served approximately 100 students every week during the 2018-2019 school year. This work reflects our belief that God loves everyone (including you), no exceptions!

Thank you for taking the time to learn about us. If there is more that you would like to know, please contact my staff or me. But also, even if it is just once, please come worship with us – to know us is to pray with us.
Faithfully yours,

The Rev. Alan C. James
Interim Rector