My Dear Friends in Christ,
The Gospel of Mark rings throughout our churches during the season of Lent. To listen to its words well is to be introduced to the figure of Jesus ever on the move, seeing and responding in ways both human and divine to the people whose paths he crosses. He spares himself nothing; he is, continuously, “for the other person.”
This year, when we are asked to contribute to the Episcopal Charities Annual Appeal, we are being asked to commit ourselves to the “other persons” among us, to those in need. And, as Christ proclaimed, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it.”
Challenging words? Yes. But they are also an invitation – an invitation to continue on the path of life that, in imitation of Jesus Christ, leads to true and full life, both now and in the life to come.
By giving, as Francis of Assisi said, we receive.
Bishop's Sermon for Commitment Weekend, March 4
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Since 1951 the mission of Episcopal Charities has touched countless lives because of the generosity of believers like you. And now the excitement of those early years has returned and there’s new joy in the Diocese of Long Island as we celebrate the success of last year’s Episcopal Charities Annual Appeal – and the new ministries being developed as a result. We’re preparing ourselves for growth and change in a renewed spirit of mission.
Diocesan ministries last year touched more than 25,000 lives – and in the continuing peril of a struggling world economy the desperate need for ministry continues to grow. So many more of our neighbors are struggling to pay the rent, to buy gas for the trip to work…to buy food.
The Diocese, through our direct ministries and by grants to parishes creating their own local programs, is moving on all fronts to address these problems. Your generosity in 2012 will enable Episcopal Charities to continue renewal of its historical mandate to fund ministries that will enrich us all – donors and recipients, through...
- Parish Returns – parishes share between 25% and 50% of the funds they raise through the Annual Appeal;
- Archdeaconry and Church-Based Grants to parishes and programs to begin or continue community and social ministries;
- Workshops and grants to enable parishes to establish Jubilee Ministries;
- Stewardship workshops in grant writing and in strategic-plan development for parishes;
- Continued support of Diocesan ministries at Camp DeWolfe, Episcopal Community Services, Episcopal Health Services;
- …and much more.
Of course, fulfilling mission through ministry costs money. As Christians we recognize that that our financial resources, like everything we possess, come from God – a gift to be used in building up the Kingdom of God. We give joyously because we know that we are being faithful stewards of all that God has entrusted to us.
Your gift, your selflessness and sacrifice, will make an almost unimaginable difference in the lives of struggling families, children and elders: our neighbors in Brooklyn, Queens, Nassau and Suffolk. To give in this way is to give joy, both to others and to ourselves. I pray that you join me in feeling this joy.
With my deepest thanks and warmest blessings,
The Right Reverend Lawrence C. Provenzano
Bishop of Long Island
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