Ministries Getting those backpacks ready!! There is so much going on at Emanuel! Our building is located in the heart of the BIG city with members from more than thirty towns in the surrounding area. People come to Emanuel not only for the excellent worship opportunities, but also for the many vital ministries that take place on a regular basis. Our membership works together on educating the congregation through the Education Committees and Library Committees. Our Worship and Music Committee works to plan our services and plan for special seasonal events. Of course, we have the choirs and the youth groups and all the things that healthy congregations tend to have to help people grow in their faith and to encourage one another. Emanuel is committed to reaching outside its doors, too. Every Friday, a committed group of volunteers opens the doors to our gymnasium for the children in the neighborhood. It's better to have kids playing games in church than doing whatever it is kids do on the streets in Hartford. Members of the congregation support this ministry with financial gifts so that each child gets a "Back to School" backpack filled with supplies, a Christmas present from the Church, and -- for the college kids -- a small education grant for books. 2005 was the first year our congregation came together and offered substantial college scholarships to the young men and women who we have come to know and love. Emanuel strongly supports young people who want to receive an education. Each summer, Emanuel and Calumet (the Lutheran camp in New England) work together to hold the Heart of Hartford Day Camp. H of H brings together over forty children from in and around Hartford for two weeks. From 8:30 in the morning to 4:30 in the afternoon, the kids and the staff learn about God's wonderful love through Bible stories, games, and field trips. The camp enjoys a noon meal prepared by members of the church and two daily snacks. Day Camp would never happen without the over one hundred volunteers and supporters. Check out the pictures of this summer's day camp by going to the links section of our website. The members of Emanuel have been very blessed. In response, the congregation generously supports the work of the ELCA through the New England Synod. We are also a founding congregational partner of Center City Churches. We use our hands, our hearts, and our wallets to do the work that God has called us here to do.