Who
We Are
Who Are We:
In 2003 the church community gathered together
to develop some key purposes. These purposes describe who
we are now and where we want to go.
We are a community on the way. At Emmanuel we
want to
- Enable every person who comes into our community to mature
in a vital relationship with Jesus Christ.
At Emmanuel we want to build the community:
- By recognizing and using the gifts the Holy Spirit gives
to each one of us to build a vibrant church community.
- By welcoming and caring for all people and having fun as
we grow together.
- By worshipping in such a way that people are drawn into a
deeper relationship with God the Father who is glorified through
our praise and thanksgiving.
- By continuing to make prayer central to the life of our community.
At Emmanuel we want to care for those in the community
and around the world:
- By actively discerning God's will in meeting needs (in the
name of Jesus) throughout our local community.
- By offering, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, physical,
emotional and spiritual healing.
By prayerfully and financially supporting (and personally encouraging)
everyone who takes the good news of Jesus to the wider community
in this country and overseas.
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The History
of Emmanuel Church
On March 5, 1952, the Church Extension Committee
of the Anglican Church purchased land on MacKay Drive for a future
church. The
Women’s Auxiliary of St. Mary’s Anglican Church was
encouraged by a succession of clergy: the Rev. W.F. Wrixon,
the Rev. A. Chote, the Rev. Jim O’Neil, and the Rev. Bill
Newton-Smith to found a church to be established on this site. The
formation of a permanent congregation attending regular services
culminated in April of 1959 with the appointment of the Rev. Edward
Morley to the Richvale mission parish of St. Barnabas. Three
months later the name was changed to Emmanuel. This
was a result of the forced closing of Emmanuel Anglican Church
on Hanlan’s Point to make way for the Toronto Island Park
Project. The treasures of the original Emmanuel Church were
transferred to the Richvale parish, including “all furnishings
of the Church – altar, plaques, pews pulpit, lectern, vessels
for the Holy Table, organ and baptismal font”.
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Emmanuel Church
Banner – “Our Life in Christ”
The Emmanuel Banner is a visual expression
of “Our Life
in Christ”. It incorporates the elements that are
central to Emmanuel. The altar and the cross – and
repeats the arch shape found in the windows and the front of
the church. It was created by Karen Pascal in 1984.
 The
theme encompasses so many aspects of the Gospel. The
outside border is like a rainbow – a reminder of the covenant
God made with Noah. The hands of God reach down behind
the cross giving us salvation and living water that Jesus promised. The
colours of the “living water” which flow from these
hands are the colours traditionally associated the royal priesthood – blue,
red and purple. As well, red depicts the blood of salvation
which flowed from the cross. The Father’s arms sweep
down like a dove.Below, in earth tones, is man acknowledging
and magnifying God.
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