A Parish at the Heart of Mercer Island
Emmanuel Episcopal Church sits at 4400 86th Avenue SE on Mercer Island, the suburban community in Lake Washington linked to Seattle by two floating bridges. Emmanuel and The Episcopal Church have been part of that community since 1909, and the parish has been shaped ever since by the conviction that faith is lived out in worship, in one another, and in the world beyond the church walls.
The parish motto - "Encountering Christ in worship and music, in one another, and in the world beyond us" - appears on the cover of every Sunday bulletin. It captures the rhythm of a congregation that takes its liturgical tradition seriously while staying open to neighbors, newcomers, and the wider life of the island.
Two Sunday Eucharists on Mercer Island
Emmanuel's primary time together is Sunday morning, and the parish gathers twice. At 8:00 AM, a spoken Holy Eucharist, Rite II, is offered in person. At 10:00 AM, a fuller Holy Eucharist, Rite II, with hymns and a Godly Play component for children takes place in person and is simultaneously livestreamed on YouTube and Zoom. Bulletins and prayer lists are available online so that those joining from home can follow the service.
The worship follows the structure common across The Episcopal Church. The minister leads, and the congregation has an active role in singing, joining in printed prayers, taking Holy Communion, and being sent out to share what they have received. Everyone is welcome at God's table; all who feel called are invited to receive communion.
Worship at Emmanuel is grounded in the conviction that "Eucharist" means thanksgiving. The parish describes itself as "a community of people striving to be ever more thankful and generous - to God and to each other" - and welcomes people of all ages and backgrounds to sing, pray, think, and gather around God's table.
The Music Program: A Century of Sound
Music is woven into Emmanuel's identity. The music ministry has served the community since the parish was founded as Emmanuel Episcopal Mission in 1914. Two years earlier, in 1912, one of the earliest fundraisers for the building of the church was a concert by a local musician who donated his fee and all ticket revenue to the church fund. That gesture set the tone for generations: Emmanuel's musicians believe that music is "a language of God" that "accompanies us in all the moments of our lives from birth to death."
The Emmanuel Choir gathers weekly to rehearse on Thursday evenings from 7:00 to 8:30 PM and meets again on Sunday mornings at 9:15 AM to prepare for the 10:00 service. The choir, made up of volunteers and paid section leaders, sings regularly from September through June and is integral to special liturgies during Advent, Christmas, Ash Wednesday, and Holy Week. Singers of all experience levels are welcome; Music Director Fred McIlRoy and the section leaders teach newcomers everything they need to know.
Guest musicians are equally valued. Children working on a new band instrument, adults polishing a piece, or chamber groups are invited to share their gifts in worship throughout the year.
The Clergy and Staff Who Walk Alongside
Fr. Theodore "Ted" Renaud serves as Priest-in-Charge and can be reached directly at 206-232-1573. He is assisted by the Rev. Marilyn Cornwell, Assisting Priest. The staff includes Fred McIlRoy as Music Director, Julene Levin as Office Administrator, and John Pritchard as Bookkeeper.
Parish governance is shared with the 2026 Vestry. Michael Spencer serves as Senior Warden. The two Junior Wardens are Leslie Moore (Property) and Marcia Palk (Parish Life/Outreach). Pat Angell is Treasurer. The full roster includes Janet Bell, Stacy Dimmich, Nathan Ihle, Sandy Maloof, and Sue Stiles, with Jon Fedele serving as Clerk. The Vestry can be reached at AskVestry@emmanuelmi.org.
Forming, Nurturing, Transforming
Emmanuel's stated vision has three movements. Forming Ourselves centers on a strong spiritual life lived and practiced both inside and outside the church's liturgical gatherings, expressed through worship that ranges from traditional to contemporary but always shares a common commitment to music, liturgy, and preaching. Nurturing Each Other is the parish's commitment to being intergenerational - including children and youth authentically in the common life and strengthening bonds through social gatherings, small groups, formation classes, and shared service. Transforming the World focuses service and justice work through cornerstone projects that allow the parish to dive deep into particular needs.
Children of all ages are welcome in worship, and a nursery is provided for childcare. From September through May, Sunday School is offered during the 10:00 service, with adult programming following the main service.
Adult Formation and Sacred Ground
Weekday formation is a regular part of parish life. Bible Study meets every Tuesday at 10:00 AM, both in person and on Zoom. A Book Study Group gathers on the second and fourth Mondays at 2:00 PM, currently working through Hal Taussig's A New New Testament. On the first and third Thursdays at 9:00 AM, a lay-led Mindfulness Meditation and Prayer group offers time to practice meditation and pray for one another and for Emmanuel. No experience is required, and drop-ins are welcome.
Past adult offerings include a sustained conversation between Christians and Jews, with parish visits to Herzl-Ner Tamid and shared Shabbat and Sunday worship. Emmanuel has also offered the Episcopal Church's ten-session Sacred Ground dialogue on race, and the parish's Justice ministry continues to share reading and listening recommendations on racial equity, including works by Ibram X. Kendi, Austin Channing Brown, Robin DiAngelo, Ijeoma Oluo, and Bryan Stevenson.
Pastoral Care, Outreach, and Prayer
Emmanuel supports parishioners through a wide range of pastoral care. The community arranges home communion visits, soup deliveries during illness, and rides to church. Pastoral emergencies can be directed to Fr. Ted at 206-232-1573 by leaving a message.
Outreach is coordinated through the parish; inquiries can go to Leslie Moore. Prayer requests are received through the church office and added to the weekly prayer list. The parish publishes a weekly email newsletter, the eBell, which keeps the community connected to ongoing life and ministry.
Onsite Partners: A Building Open to the Island
Almost from its beginning, Emmanuel has shared its buildings and grounds with community groups that share values of spiritual growth, education, creativity, and service.
Youth Theatre Northwest uses Emmanuel's Parish Hall as its primary theatre space. YTN is a school, theatre, and home for children and families, where young people explore creativity and the thrill of live performance. After-school classes meet at Emmanuel during the school year.
Emmanuel Day School is an independent, nonprofit preschool on the grounds, serving children from ages two years and nine months through six. Morning classes for three-, four-, and five-year-olds are taught in English and designed as a gradual progression toward Kindergarten readiness.
Boy Scout Troop 457 holds weekly meetings in the Narthex. Founded in 1952, the troop emphasizes citizenship, community service, outdoor activity, physical fitness, leadership, and camaraderie.
Alcoholics Anonymous meets at Emmanuel on Thursdays at 7:30 PM in the Library on the first floor of the main building. The parish takes quiet pride in this particular partnership: Bill Wilson, co-founder of A.A., credited the Episcopal priest Rev. Sam Shoemaker with shaping many of the Twelve Steps. A plaque near the meeting room carries a passage from Wilson naming Shoemaker as "the one who passed on the spiritual keys by which we were liberated."
Sacred Space, Safe Church
Emmanuel follows the Safe Church, Safe Communities program of The Episcopal Church, with online training and certification for those working with children, youth, and vulnerable adults. The Diocese of Olympia oversees the program locally. The parish also makes its buildings available for outside rental; inquiries can be sent through the church office.
Stewardship and Giving
The 2026 stewardship appeal, titled "Tell Out My Soul" after hymn 437 inspired by the Magnificat, frames pledging as a spiritual practice of giving thanks to God. Parishioners are invited to pledge by returning a card or filling one out online, and gifts can be made by cash or check in church or through the parish's online donation link. The annual appeal underwrites Emmanuel's operating budget, and annual and financial reports are published for transparency.
Joining the Community
Emmanuel welcomes newcomers at all activities and worship services. Visitors are invited to come as they are, take communion if they feel called, and stay for coffee hour afterward. An online directory, hosted on the Breeze Church Management System, helps members keep in touch; the church office can assist with account setup. Sunday bulletins, prayer lists, sermon podcasts on Apple, Stitcher, and Soundcloud, and recorded services on YouTube make it possible to stay connected even when unable to attend in person.
From its 1909 roots through a 1912 concert that helped raise the first church building funds, through the choir that has sung every Sunday since, Emmanuel Episcopal Church remains a steady presence on Mercer Island - a parish where encountering Christ in worship and music, in one another, and in the world beyond is not a slogan but a working rhythm.