39 West Orvis Street, Massena NY

(315) 769-8523 | Worship on Sunday @ 11 a.m.

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About Us

Learn more about our church, pastor and history.

Close up of Pastor Judy and cross window holding out arms

A welcome message from our pastor

Welcome to the 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 morning, 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

  • 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.

In order for the congregation and Executive Council to deal effectively with issues in the congregation, the following guidelines are to be followed:

  1. All members affirm their right and responsibility to express their opinions about the life and ministry of Emmanuel.
  2. Emmanuel operates with a direct democracy form of government that allows members to share their opinions directly with the minister(s), Executive Council, and at Congregational Meetings.
  3. When members of the congregation express an opinion to a member of the Executive Council, the Council member shall ask, “What would you like me to do with this information?”
  4.  If the member desires to have the information transmitted to the Executive Council, the member shall be invited to bring the information or opinion to the next Council meeting.  The time and date shall be given.
  5. If the member does not wish to appear in person, the Council member shall ask the member for permission to use their name in reporting.  If permission is not given, the Council Member shall say, “I’m sorry, but I will not be able to report this to the council because we do not deal with anonymous letters or complaints.”
  6. If permission is given, the Council member shall report the information or opinion to the Council and shall use the member’s name.
  7. At his/her discretion, a Council member may ask that the member refer this issue to another Council member for presentation.
  8. Each issue shall be placed on the agenda and written in the minutes along with the action taken by the Council.  Action may include: ”Received as information,” “Minister and/or _________ to visit member and report at next meeting,” etc.
  9. Information or opinions may be shared in writing with the Council and shall be handled in the above mentioned manner if the letter or statement is signed.

     

Congregation photo 2024 at front of sanctuary

Welcome Message

You are welcome here.

Welcome to the Emmanuel Congregational Church Massena, United Church of Christ (North Country), where everyone is welcome! We are a come-as-you-are church, a family, a fellowship of faith, and a community of hope, helping the people of Massena and surrounding communities discover Jesus in the everyday places where we live, work, and play. We’re glad you are here. We’d love to hear your story and share ours with you. You may not be participating in a Christian community and would like to connect; drop by to see us. We’d love to get acquainted. – Pastor Judy Van Kennen

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Historic picture of front of church ‘laying the corner stone 1921

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 on 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 also learning 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 lived through our faith in new ways during Covid-19 and social distancing, we anticipate God doing even more new and innovative things in our midst. We watch for opportunities to reach 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.