2022 was a year of transformation for Episcopal Ministries of Long Island (EMLI). In June, EMLI launched an innovative website that serves as a “hub” for ministries in our diocese. It captures the powerful stories of ministries in your parishes and communities, connects you to local volunteer opportunities and ministry events, and equips EMLI ministry partners with resources. The new website will also host our grant application and online giving forms, streamlining those processes and making them more secure and accessible than ever. In tandem with the website, we are collaborating with the diocese to launch a new database, which will allow us to honor your generosity and commitment to EMLI’s mission even more effectively.
While our office worked on these technical projects, EMLI ministry partners served 80 thousand meals, distributed 346 tons of food, partnered with 195 community organizations, and recorded upwards of 30 thousand volunteer hours this year. You all continue to amaze me with your steadfast dedication, creative problem solving, and passion to cultivate justice in this world. Thank you. This year, EMLI-supported ministries include community gardens, food pantries, educational programs, and more. We are excited to support a new initiative spearheaded by All Saints, Park Slope and Christ Church, Cobble Hill: Brooklyn Neighbors for Refugees. Stay tuned on our website (episcopalministries.org) and social media for updates from all our ministry partners.
In September, we hired our new Program Director, Ms. Sandra Senior, who comes to us with more than two decades of experience working with community-based organizations. In October, we hosted our first in-person “Celebration of Ministry” since 2019 honoring Neighbors Being Human (St. Andrew's, Yaphank) and The St. Nick Fridge (Iglesia de la Santa Cruz + Bushwick Abbey). These relatively small parishes launched food ministries just before the start of the pandemic and have used innovative strategies to sustain the increase in food insecurity driven by both pandemic unemployment and current inflation.
Your ongoing commitment to EMLI allows us to resource, nurture, and amplify ministries transforming lives throughout our diocese. Due to our recent capacity building projects, EMLI is better equipped to support resilient ministries, cultivate relationships with partners and supporters, and respond to periods of crisis with clarity and vision. Your continued generosity makes all this (and more!) possible. Thank you for considering a gift this giving season to ensure our parish ministries can continue to bring Christ’s love from the pew to the public square across our diocese. You can give securely online at episcopalministries.org/donate.