Emmanuel Friedens Church
Emmanuel Friedens Church
Mission and Vision
Family Oriented Ministry. Welcoming, Opening & Affirming.
Federated American Baptist & UCC Church.
In the second decade of the 21st century Emmanuel Friedens Church is an open faith community on an exciting, profound journey of faith. It is centered in our worship and caring conversations together. Our leadership is passionate about ecumenical ministry in the heart of Schenectady. We welcome all people in our life and leadership without regard to sexual orientation, gender, wealth, race or class. Emmanuel Friedens Church keeps children and youth at the heart of our ministry and mission. Our congregation is made up of down-to-earth people of faith, willing to speak out, and act on our convictions.New Paragraph
- Captivated by Jesus’ life and teaching
- Committed to Growing hearts and minds
- Learning openness, courage, and love
- Serving with our neighbors
- Pursuing God’s justice and peace
- Inviting others to share the journey!
LGBTQ+
Emmanuel Friedens Church is an Ally.
Since 1998, the congregation of Emmanuel-Friedens Church has been a member church in the Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists (AWAB) and also an Open and Affirming congregation of the United Church of Christ (ONA). Since that time we have welcomed many folks of all gender orientations and expressions.
We believe that it isn't enough to be "welcoming" and "open." We also must affirm and honor the legitimacy of all significant relationships, inviting everyone into full participation and leadership of the church.
We consistently support LGBT youth in our community, welcoming speakers from PFLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays), GLSEN (Gay Lesbian and Straight Education Network), and Unity House-Safety Zone, a drop-in center for GLBT teens. The church has hosted both the Shower of Stoles and the Capital Pride Singers.
We support gay student associations and gay/straight alliances in our local high schools, and we annually award a "Dignity for All" scholarship in each area high school to for a graduating student (gay or straight) who best represents the inclusiveness we strive for.
Emmanuel-Friedens has also adopted and offered the "Our Whole Lives" sexuality education curriculum, a joint venture of the United Church of Christ and the Unitarian-Universalist Association.
History
Previously two congregations, separated by a few blocks and representing two different protestant denominations, our roots are deep.
Emmanuel Baptist Church and Society began in the late 19th century as a mission of the First Baptist Church in Schenectady. The current sanctuary is part of a structure rebuilt in 1904 after a fire destroyed the previous one. The congregation was large and active and in the 1960's became a major voice and presence in the cause of civil rights, a tradition that lives on in the present day with strong advocacy for social justice and equality.
Friedens United Church of Christ had its roots among the many German immigrants of the late 19th century, and services were conducted in German even into the early 20th century. Like many others, these immigrants and their children knew well the words, "I was a stranger, and you took me in." This was reinforced when the congregation was federated with Emmanuel Baptist in 1997, allowing both churches to maintain their history and identity, while functioning in every way as a single congregation.
Although we were once two churches, both shared a consistent commitment to outreach that is going strong today. Emmanuel Baptist was for example instrumental in founding Schenectady Community Ministries, formerly Schenectady Inner City Ministry or SiCM, an organization composed of many churches that together continue to address issues of advocacy, and work in critical areas like housing and food. Friedens UCC helped to begin Bethesda House, a drop-in center for homeless and low-income people. Today, Emmanuel Friedens Church supports these and many other community organizations. Recovery groups and others use portions of the church building each week. And on the last Saturday of each month we offer hospitality to families and individuals at a free brunch, an all-volunteer offering that is served at tables in a spirit of joy and warm welcome.
Emmanuel Friedens Church has the legacy of an American Baptist Congregation (Emmanuel Baptist Church) and the United Church of Christ (Friedens United Church of Christ). We like to think that belonging to two families brings together the strengths of both traditions!
Rev. Dr. Rodney W. Kennedy
A Louisiana native, Dr. Kennedy is a graduate from New Orleans Baptist Theology Seminary and received his Ph.D. in Homiletics and Rhetoric from Louisiana State University. He has been an American Baptist pastor for 53 years.
He served as Lead Pastor of First Baptist Church in Dayton, OH for 13 years. His most recent interim positions have been at First Baptist, Ottawa, Kansas; First Baptist, Peoria, IL; and Upper Merion Baptist in King of Prussia, PA. He is currently teaching homiletics at Palmer Theological Seminary in Philadelphia. Dr. Kennedy has authored nine books including Will Campbell Preacher Man, Sermons from Mind and Heart, and Preaching Conversations with Scholars, and has two new books scheduled for publication in 2021.
He loves working with the congregation to encourage flourishing, thriving, and powerful worship, service, and mission.