Emmanuel is a very progressive and welcoming community. I have only been once, but they seem to…read morepromote tolerance and understanding among all kinds of people. I went for the Easter service because I heard there was going to be a crazy musical performance in the middle of the service and there was! Almost 45 minutes of a Bach cantata. Oh, and there is also a rabbi in residence - very cool.

Walking down the streets of Boston one day, my friends and I were confronted with a ten-foot-tall…read moreblack banner with bold white letters: "Get Your Ass To Church". How do you say no to that? I mean, if that's not a Sign... (heh.) I don't think any of the three of us had set foot in an Episcopalian church before -- I was raised alternately Unitarian and UCC Protestant, one friend is Catholic, the other I think Christian in the I-celebrate-Christmas sense. But I don't think any of us felt uncomfortable there. We attended the 5pm service -- I can't tell from the website if they're still doing it -- a low-key, intimate affair in the smaller chapel beside the church. The demographic was young and diverse, and the reverend and the folks helping with the service were friendly. We didn't end up going back, but that was no fault of Emmanuel's. I found the service meaningful. I think my Catholic friend was a little startled at the sermon's emphasis on social action and ministry -- I thought it was pretty great (and, okay, reminded me of home). I actually had no idea that Emmanuel did music in such a big way, or else I think I would have pushed for dragging ourselves out of bed for the main service. I'll have to go back for their concerts sometime.

This is a great, welcoming, open in many senses of the word congregation in a stunningly beautiful…read morehistoric Cambridge landmark building. If you walk by the church everyday, try stopping in one Sunday morning at 11 or for the evening Jazz service. The music is top notch, across the board. You can hear an organ played by Peter Sykes, which was designed by one of the congregants. The choir is lovely, but I'm biased. There are two ministers, Mary and Dan. Both are kind, smart, articulate, funny, approachable, and definitely in this profession for the right reasons. The congregation tends toward the academically inclined - but welcomes all types, and you'll see all types represented. I've been attending this church for about a year and a half, and every single Sunday or other day I show up for something, I learn something new about God, myself, and some fascinating bit about one of my fellow parishioners. Check it out.

I'm only commenting on this as a venue for the Boston Early Music Festival concert series…read more The venue is beautiful and decorative without being over(t)ly ornate. Seats were added at the sides so that you could view the stage facing or behind the performers. The sound quality was solid, the open space allowing for a clarity of sound to come through. It's located near the Harvard T stop, and close to eateries, making it a wonderful place to catch a concert. Kudos for BEMF and the First Church UCC for making it happen!

Great community center. Wonderful dinner events that help support AGBU's non profit mission! Like…read morethem on Facebook as updates are regular.

Over the past few decades, in some locations, Jewish communities declined. Yet some places offer…read morenew life to the community. Chabad of the Nashoba Valley is one many Chabad outreach centers that reaches out to Jews of all backgrounds and observance levels. It is a small, haimish Chabad outreach center, which double as the community synagogue. They provide Orthodox Jewish prayer services on Shabbat (Friday night and morning) and holidays. Out here in the burbs its great to find a meaningful shul for Jewish people to come to. They have community Passover Seders, and services for the Yamim Nora'im (High Holy Days, Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur) Also a Kids'n Krafts hands-on Jewish educational program for kids 4 to 9. Chabad has a point of view, like any group worth respecting does. It's an open-hearted Orthodoxy that meets Jews where they are, offering pathways to a meaningful Jewish life. They're not missionaries; rather, they inspire Jews to become educated about their own heritage, and to take a step up the ladder of observance, from wherever they are. The Shabbat service could use more Shlomo Carelebach-type melodies and harmonies. But that's true of nearly all synagogues nowadays. It also could use a few more brief readings in English, which helps keeps people involved if they don't know the format. This is a place very much worth coming to, and a worthy addition to the Jewish community of the Meerimack Valley/Metrowest area, If you're looking for a synagogue where a larger percent of the services are in English, and/or which is helpful to intermarried couples looking to raise their kids Jewish, nearby is Congregation Shalom (Reform) in Chelmsford, or a bit further north, Temple Beth Abraham (Conservative), in Nashua NH.

Searching Boston for a church to call home. Came to Grace City with a friend and they are doing…read morequite a few things right! They are very welcoming. People stand outside inviting and leading you to service. They even sweetly set up cards and communion on each individual seat. They have coffee, tea and many staff members eager to help. Worship music, particularly the female singer is stunning! The message was engaging and relatable. I think this church has the potential to be your home. I just don't know if it's mine. I'm heading into my thirties and I feel like the majority are young college girls.

I have been playing brass instruments for this parade since 1991 with just too many bands but this…read moreyear was with Hot Tamale Brass Band Marshals treated us so horribly You would not believe what they did to us ! So after Band Manager gets paid in a month or so I will start actions with My Traditional Osaka Japan Style of Freelance Gokudo / YAKUZA style Freelancer usually can keeps all fingers on ! Spoke with MAD DOG, former Marine Corp served Okinawa but he says no seaweed for very interesting reason. Since my mom's grandpa served Japanese Emperor, we have a lot to share MAD DOG is in 4th Division, so Mayor of S. Boston made me decide forming ultra special funny and authentic Wind Ensemble contains Timo Shanko's big band arrangement, Hot Tamale Brass band and possibly have return of Tony Barrie Brass Band with special guest mayor of City of Boston Michelle Wu on piano Anyhow well will meet all members of Marshalls of this parade and will discuss lovely solutions I can not thank enough with Mad Dog and His people Court long time or Hashimoto Cash Express is my business style cuz court has to make money We all need money

Somewhat short and the wind was cold, but it was still fun. My wife got offered a shot of brandy…read more(which she impressed the guys with by accepting it.) As they said, "it keeps the snakes away." I'm not sure what a bunch of Star Wars nerds in full regalia have to do with St. Patrick's Day, but it was fun to take pictures of them. It also gave my wife the opportunity to use Triumph the Comic Insult Dog's most famous line: "Hey Darth Vader, which one of those buttons calls your mom to come pick you up after the parade."

Great Pre-School program with very professional staff !…read more Located at The Winthrop Elementary School 325 Bay Road South Hamilton, MA 01982 http://www.hamiltonma.gov/Pages/HamiltonMA_School/index http://winthrop.hwschools.net/pages/Winthrop_School

If you're worried that your baps aren't up to the Bap Challenge, then come to Cambridgeport and…read moretake the Bap-test. They administer the Baptest here. Although I'm not sure what it is. Although I do know Baps are Boobies where I come from. Pretty gorgeous church in Cambridge which looks like some kind of broke circular reddish cathedral... I meant Baroque but who knows, maybe they ran out of money building this thing, who is to say. So it's gorgeous, and very Grande. I meant grand, but Ari is gorgeous too. It actually looks quite new, and in that way it's nothing like a European church, but it's still very pretty and reminds me in some ways of an Old English building or something - maybe German. Definitely a lovely addition to a really lovely and very wealthy and very fancy neighbourhood.

I've started going to the 10:45 am Sunday services at this church. The people here are extremely…read morefriendly and welcoming!