A bi-weekly update from the corner of Cathedral & W. Read Streets

Summer Sunday Worship

8:30 AM Spoken Eucharist

In Eccleston Chapel

(entrance on Read Street)

10:30 AM Eucharist with Soloist and hymns

In the Main Church

Download the leaflet on our homepage

(Weekly leaflet posted on Thursdays)

Streaming Live on YouTube

Sunday, July 20th, 2025

• The Rev. Meredieth Kefauver Olsen presides at the 8:30 and 10:30 services
• Thank you to Betty Ridgeway and Lynn for hosting coffee hour on the 20th, and to Laura Gillis for hosting on the 27th! Sign up here for future dates.

In Memoriam, John Repulski, 1962–2025

John Repulski, Music Director at Emmanuel from 2014 to 2020, died on Tuesday, July 8. The Rev. Jim Hamilton posted the news on Facebook saying, “It's with a heavy heart that I share that John passed on July 8, 2025 at 1:06 PM. He was surrounded by loved ones and music. I was able to be in the operating room as he slipped away and sang Blackbird, just as I did for Carly only a few days ago. I will share plans for a celebration of his life in the next few days.” May John rest in peace and rise in glory. Read John's obituary and more here.

Announcing Emmanuel's next Operations Manager: El Schoepf

El Schoepf (they/them) is a longtime Baltimore resident who has deeply appreciated Emmanuel's inclusive spirit and vital role in the neighborhood. El brings a background in music, labor union organizing, counseling, and nonprofit operations to the Operations Manager role. As a non-binary person and member of the queer community, El is dedicated to stewarding inclusive spaces where all feel welcome to explore their sense of spirituality. When not at work, you can find El teaching Professional Studies at The Peabody Institute, foraging in the woods, taking a long walk around the city, or being with their partner, two cats, and chosen family.

We are thrilled to welcome El to the office on Monday, July 21st when they will overlap with Will until his last day on Friday, August 22nd.

Thank you to our upcoming soloists and supply priest

We welcome the Rev. Meredith Kefauver Olsen as guest priest on July 20th!

Rev. Olsen received a B.M. degree in 1998 from Birmingham -Southern College, a M.Div. from Emory University in 2002 and the S.T.M. in Liturgics from General Theological Seminary, NYC in 2005. She has served churches in Ardmore and Wayne, PA the diocese of Atlanta, several churches in the Diocese of Maryland, most recently as rector of St. Barnabas in Sykesville. She currently serves as a Chaplain for the Maryland National Guard. Her husband, Derek is a professor and has taught courses in the New Testament, Church History, and Patristics at St. Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore. They have two daughters, Greta and Hannah.

Soloist for Sunday July 20th: Sonya Knussen, alto

Sonya Knussen is a music educator, singer, and artistic director based in Baltimore, Maryland. Her teaching career spans both the UK and US, where she has taught classroom music, led choral programs, led outreach initiatives, and currently teaches an online voice studio. A passionate advocate for new music, Sonya connects composers, performers, and learners to foster inclusivity in the arts. For more information about Sonya, her range of work, and her musical family, visit www.sonyaknussen.com. Read more...

Soloist for Sunday July 27th: Edward Spear

Edward Spear is a composer and vocalist. Known for his uniquely enchanting and enriching harmonic structures and tone, Edward draws musical influences from the human experience and the world around us – creating soundscapes that reflect the qualities of the environment and world we create within ourselves. Edward is currently a choral scholar at Emmanuel and has also sung in choruses with the Hudson Valley Opera Theatre in performances of Bizets’s Carmen, Puccini’s La Bohéme, Verdi’s La Traviata, and Handel’s Messiah. He recently completed his M.M. in composition at Peabody, where he studied under Sky Macklay.

Pitch Craft Collective Presents: Opera Unfolded

Sunday, July 20 | 4 PM | Great Hall

Join us for a powerful concert of theatrical solo works, each written for unaccompanied voice or unaccompanied flute, and featuring several members of the Emmanuel Choir. From art song to opera, improvisation to gesture — this is storytelling in its most intimate form. Learn more here or at pitchcraftcollective.org.

Pay what you can — cash or QR code at the door. All are welcome!

Formation at Emmanuel

Tuesday Night Bible Study

Tuesdays, 7 PM | Brent Room

Emmanuel's Tuesday Night Bible study, led by James Schmidt and Cole Weller, welcomes all people, regardless of your experience—whether you've read the Bible many times or never at all, this is the group for you.

Wedding of Michael Fischer and Rigoberto Hechavarria

Friday, July 25 | 2PM

Michael and Rigoberto ("Junior") extend a warm invitation to all members of the parish and guests to attend their wedding this Friday, July 25th at 2 PM. Please join this couple as they begin their joyful life in matrimony! Reception to follow in the gallery.

Book Club: The Dragons of Eden: Speculations on the Evolution of Human Intelligence by Carl Sagan

Sunday, August 17 | 12 PM | Conference Room

Dr. Carl Sagan takes us on a great reading adventure, offering his vivid and startling insight into the brain of man and beast, the origin of human intelligence, the function of our most haunting legends—and their amazing links to recent discoveries.

Annu Singleton and Special Olympics Maryland Fundraiser

Emmanuel Parishioner and Maryland Special Olympics competitor Annu Singleton is raising funds for SOMD to inspire and enable the next generation of ahtletes. Annu has participated in 18 different Sports throughout his Athletic Career in SOMD. He has learned a lot not only through the Baltimore City Special Olympics but throughout the entire organization as a Certified Athlete Leader and Health Messenger. This organization means a lot to Annu and he wants to continue setting an example as an SOMD Athlete by raising funds through his page. Read more and donate here.

eNews over the summer

Thanks for reading the eNews! Please note that between Sunday June 8th and the end of August, the eNews will be delivered once every two weeks. Weekly leaflets will continue to be linked on the homepage of emmanueldowntown.org before each Sunday.

See you in two weeks!

Prayer List

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7

We pray for peace in the Holy Land. For an end to all violence and for the healing of those wounded, for those who have died and those who mourn, for all those working for peace in Gaza, the occupied territories, and the surrounding countries.

We pray for those in our community and beyond who are need of healing of body, mind, and heart: Joyce, Alene, Bob, Jesse, Franklin, Kendall, Carolyn, Julia, Charles, and Leroy.

We pray for the Episcopal Church: Sean Rowe, Presiding Bishop; Carrie Schofield-Broadbent, Bishop of Maryland; the clergy, staff and vestry of Emmanuel Church; and all who share the good news of God's unending Love.

We pray for those in public office: President Donald Trump, Governor Wes Moore, and Mayor Brandon Scott.