Following a successful congregational workday that drew 35 workers on March 25, 2000, Emanuel was host to volunteers from four area congregations April 1 to continue its "Operation Open Door" initiative.

The church was in the news in January as the two high-rise towers of Southwark Plaza adjacent to the church were imploded to make way for the final construction phase of The Courtyard Apartments at Riverview, a lower density housing project for low and moderate income residents. As part of its preparation for an outreach program to reach both Riverview and its surrounding neighborhoods, Emanuel is sprucing up with fresh paint, new signage, and decorative plantings.

"We can't think of a better way to send the community the message that the doors of this church are open than by giving them a new coat of paint," says Emanuel's new mentoring pastor, The Rev. William G. Erat, who is also the executive director of Lutheran Children and Family Service of Eastern Pennsylvania. The congregation and the social service agency are partners in a number of community service ventures, including foster care, after-school care, and the establishment of a hands-on technology education center in nearby Bethel House, a church-owned row house on Third Street.

Emanuel's pastor, Cornelius Eaddy, concurs. "We have a vision for Emanuel and for this community," he says. "Emanuel has been serving Christ and this neighborhood since the first church school in 1847. Now we have a new chance to help our neighbors build better lives for themselves, and we want to reach out. Making our doors and walkways more welcoming is just the beginning." The church's Outreach Committee is already planning its next event -- a sidewalk sale April 15.

Eight volunteers from the Upper Bucks/Montgomery County Lutheran Youth's "Helping Hands" project joined Emanuel members April 1 to finish painting the front doors and to continue the restoration of surrounding woodwork, and to continue ornamental plantings around the building.

Volunteers included students from Trinity Lutheran Church (Perkasie), Christ Lutheran Church (Oreland), and Family of God (Buckingham). They were joined by adult leaders from St. Paul's (Applebachsville) and St. Andrews (Perkasie).