On a snowy Sunday morning in February I found myself traveling between churches to cover the pulpit switch, an annual event that celebrates Christian Unity Week. Rev. Donald Olson from the Community Covenant preached at the Elmwood Church saying he “belongs to the Church of Jesus Christ of East Bridgewater.” That hit home with me. In the midst of traveling church to church, as I was that day, it struck me what an interesting journey that would make, an interesting story to write. Visit the houses of worship in East Bridgewater and write about the individual services; give my impressions of the faith communities and their ministers.

The Rev. Dr. Donna Keane and Rev Donald Olson share space at the Elmwood Church.

Rev. Olson also said “I go to this church because I like this minister, or I go to that church because I like that minister is like saying we follow the disciple Paul or the disciple Peter…we are all followers of Jesus Christ.” But there is so much more to choosing where to worship. Do you believe in the Dogma? What is the community like? Does the minister or priest preach in a way that reaches you? Is the service structured in a way that you are comfortable with? Because, after all, your personal faith journey is just that, meant for you.

This article is the beginning of an occasional series where I will try to give you a taste of the houses of worship in East Bridgewater. And in the spirit of stretching our understanding, going beyond Christian practices is part of the plan as well. It will be a very interesting journey.

Each church has its own feel, its own history. Elmwood Church began as a community church, erected by the neighbors in Elmwood Village as a common meeting place and theater in 1854.  It was a mecca of cultural activity in the early 1900’s and it has always had a Swedenborgian Minister.

Entering the Elmwood Church I felt like I had stepped back in time. Once in the foyer I had to choose left or right to climb stair to the sanctuary. At the top of the stairs, there is a closed door, a little scary for someone like me who is perpetually just a little late. Once inside, the glorious voice of Dick Campbell, the music director, singing “When the Saints Go Marching In” made me smile.

Thirty-five people or so scattered throughout the pews in groups of three or four. A few turned and smiled. I was handed a laminated card to follow the service, and I sat behind Marjorie Winsor, just to be near someone I knew.

The service was similar in structure to the Protestant services I’ve attended at the Methodist and Congregational Churches. There’s the forgiveness of sins, cares and concerns, giving back of our gifts (commonly known as the collection) the Bible readings and the sermon. Hymns from the hymnbook disbursed throughout.

Overall, what I took from Elmwood service was the peacefulness. It was very nice. Calming. Thoughtful.  The Rev. Dr. Donna Keane preached beautifully about change and how faith in Jesus helps us with change.  In the quiet there was time to think about her words, let them settle; time to let me understand how her words applied to my life.   Donna has a wonderful, disarming way about her.

The Rev. Dr. Donna Keane went to Seminary in Newton at the Swedenborg School of Religion; She has her Masters in Divinity and Doctorate of Ministry from the Andover Newton Theological School. In speaking to Donna afterward, she said, “My personal journey has resulted in a strong belief in God’s love and the fact that we all can be regenerated if we look inside ourselves and decide we need to change. We can be regenerated into a new life by listening to God’s wisdom.” Last year I got a real kick out of hearing her preach at St John’s as part of the pulpit switch. There’s just something about a woman preaching at a Catholic Church.  She is the only woman preacher in East Bridgewater right now, and worth going to hear. 

Emanuel Swedenborg was a Swedish Scientist and Theologian who lived from 1688-1772. Shortly after his death, in 1787, the Swedenborgian Church was founded. They base their teachings on the Bible as illuminated by Emanuel Swedenborg and have a congregational form of government, meaning they vote on everything.  The nearest other Swedenborgian Churches are in Yarmouthport, in Cambridge, in Newton and in Bridgewater. Donna is the minister of both the Bridgewater and Elmwood Churches.

The Swedenborgians believe “All persons throughout the world who lead a good life are, of the mercy of the Lord, accepted and saved.”  So it is easy for them to extend hospitality to all denominations. Currently they share the Elmwood Church with the congregation of East Bridgewater Unitarian Universalists.

Unitarians are all accepting.  Their number one belief is the freedom of religious expression. That all individuals should be encouraged to develop their own. A group of ten Unitarians meet once a month at Elmwood Church to discuss various topics and often have different ministers speak. They hold the oldest Charter in East Bridgewater. They were the East Parish of Bridgewater that started it all!

The Swedenborgians and the Unitarians complement each other well.  But the true test of a community comes at times of hardship. “We are active members of both this church and the Unitarian Church in Easton and we know several ministers.” Said Mary Hatfield. “But when my daughter passed away suddenly this past December, my husband and I both felt it was Donna who should do the service. We feel that Donna and this church are part of our family.” Rev Dr. Donna Keane was pleasantly surprised, but said it was a very hard funeral for her to write: “The Hatfields asked me not to talk about life after death. To do a memorial service for a family whose belief system didn’t include life after death... that was challenging.” “She did a wonderful job,” Mary responded. “And the women of the Elmwood Church stepped up to coordinate the collation afterward. That was amazing. Even though I don’t attend their church, they took care of the food for us.”

Elmwood Church serves as a worshiping community and support system for those that go there. It’s small, quiet, thoughtful and caring. It’s a beautiful community.