The people of Emanuel understand the Christian faith as good news for all people. With our mission to celebrate love, we believe inclusion is our priority. All people are welcome to participate fully in the life of the community. This welcome derives from the Christian message and the Lutheran spirit that views God's grace extended to all people. A congregation which invokes God's name should reflect this grace in its life and teachings.

As a testimony to this, Emanuel has long been a Reconciling in Christ church, which means that Emanuel has intentionally and publicly extended its welcome to LGBTQ+ persons. Emanuel was the first church to do so in the New Jersey Synod and ever since has been a forceful voice for the full inclusion of persons of all sexual orientations in the life of the church.

The spirit of inclusion is apparent in all aspects of the life of the congregation and is reflected in this large banner which is dramatically displayed on the front of the Emanuel Christian Education Building.