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Christian Faith and Life

Committee Chairs

Deacon Barbara Meberg

Contact Information

EmanuelELC197@gmail.com
914.769.1559

Committee Members

Pastor Kevin O'Hara
Helayne McDonnel (Sunday School Superintendent)
Marianne Dietrich

Rebekkah Bello
Brian Gray

Social Ministry
At Emanuel, we embrace the idea that every Christian is on a journey of faith and is a Child of God through Baptism all their life. Faith must be nurtured in a loving and supportive environment, beginning in the home by parents and aided and encouraged by the Church family. Here at Emanuel you will find many opportunities to grow in faith, at any age, through learning, serving and sharing. Browse this page for all our learning opportunities and check the calendar frequently for special events and activities. These ministries are coordinated and overseen by the Christian Faith & Life Committee - we welcome your participation and ideas!
Blessings on the journey! -Deacon Barbara Meberg

Holy Baptism and Cradle Roll

When parents contact the Pastor and bring their child to the font to be baptized, they become part of God's family here at Emanuel. We hope they will be actively involved in this family! The Cradle Roll program follows children through their third birthday with periodic cards and contacts. At age three, the children are encouraged to attend our Sunday School program.

The name Sunday School may sound quaint and old-fashioned, but our Faithweaver curriculum from Group Publishing and our dedicated volunteer teachers make Emanuel's Christian Education program relevant and fun. We have classes for preschool (3 & 4 year olds) through 8th grade. Classes run from September through early June and meet each Sunday at 10:30 am. There is no cost for the program, and you may enroll your child at any time. Helayne McDonnell is our Sunday School Superintendent.
Sparkhouse Curriculum

Classes are held in the spring, following Easter, usually 3 consecutive weekday afternoons. First Holy Communion is then celebrated a few weeks later often on Pentecost Sunday. We offer the Sacrament to children of any age, when together with their parents and Pastor, they decide the time is right. Contact the Pastor if you are interested.

Emanuel's Confirmation program begins in 7th grade. Classes meet during the Education hour each week. Pastor's class meets twice a month on Sunday evenings followed by a meal. The Head to the Heart confirmation curriculum from Faith Inkubators is a complete, parent-involved, small group ministry approach that challenge churches and parents to change confirmation class from simply instruction to ministry. In the fall of 9th grade, the Confirmands meet weekly with the Pastor in preparation for Affirmation of Baptism, which takes place on Reformation Sunday (the last Sunday of October.)
Head2Heart Confirmation Ministry

This is a two year course of study offered through the Metro NY Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. At our location here in Pleasantville, local Lutheran pastors teach courses covering the Bible, Church History, Lutheran Creeds & Confessions, Practical Ministry (visitation, communicating the gospel, the daily life of a Christian), Worship and Ethics. This is the only program with a tuition requirement. Deacon Karen Nurmi serves as location manager.
The Diakonia Program

Throughout the year, informal Bible and book studies are held at the church on Zoom and in some members' homes.  Currently, the group meets on Wednesdays via Zoom at 1:00pm and 6:30pm. Topics and titles vary. The Pastor, Deacon Bill Bello and Deacon Barbara Meberg lead the current groups.

Deacon Bill Bello meets with adult members during the 10:30 Education hour. Topics vary, and have included the Sunday School curriculum for adults as well as discussion of the day's lectionary texts and/or sermon discussion.