Dear Beloved in Christ,
In this season of listening, I seek to meet each of you across our diocese and learn about who you are and your ministries. Knowing you—what breaks your heart and brings you joy—is important to me. Each one of you, in all of our diversity, has an important story to share. I am listening.
In my early days, I have had the opportunity to visit with three of our faith communities. My first episcopal visitation at Grace Church, Jamaica, the oldest continuous congregation in the Episcopal Diocese of Long Island, included spirited worship and warm hospitality reflective of this Caribbean congregation! I am grateful to Father Rudolph Anthony and the Grace vestry for their leadership.
(Photo: Bishop Adam at Grace Episcopal Church, Jamaica on September 20. Photography by: Teddy Byrne)
Next, I had a beautiful morning with the good people of Grace Church in Massapequa, ably led by Father Walter Hillebrand and Deacon Robert White. Grace serves 200 children through its Early Childhood Center and has a growing ministry to children, youth, and young families. Their warmth and hospitality stretch well beyond their walls into the surrounding community!
I also led a joy-filled Mass for the Feast of Saint Francis at Iglesia Episcopal de San Francisco, a growing congregation serving the Latino community in Riverhead and the surrounding area. I’m grateful to Padre Luiz Lopez and the Bishop’s Committee, pictured here, for their faithful witness providing nurture, sanctuary, and Christian faith to all who walk through the church doors. (I’m also very thankful for the congregation’s patience in welcoming me to preside and preach in Spanish!)
Finally, in these first visits, I’ve already heard a number of hopes and dreams for our future, as well as present challenges that must be addressed. I’ve also heard heartbreaking stories of human dignity under threat. During my visit to Iglesia Episcopal de San Francisco, in a lively meeting with our Hispanic Ministry Commission, or at a recent event I attended for one of our community partners, Rural Migrant Ministry, I’ve been told of our Latino neighbors being harassed and intimidated by ICE agents.
The recent ICE shooting of a father in the Bronx just days ago—with his five-year-old child seated behind him—and the recent announcement by our federal government of plans to livestream an upcoming execution by firing squad remind us of the urgency of our baptismal call to stand up for the inherent worth and dignity of every human being. The work continues.
In the days and weeks to come, I look forward to meeting you and building relationships based on trust, humility, and mutual care.
The Listening Team Begins Its Work
In the past few weeks, I have been describing the listening plan and introducing those who have graciously agreed to serve in this capacity. The listening team met for the first time on Monday, October 5. All members were in attendance, and I was grateful for their willingness, not only to serve, but also to trust me and this process in these early days. Canon Licia Affer, who begins her position here in the Diocese of Long Island on November 1, joined us from Florida. Herbert Drayton, Lena Mullins, and Gideon Pollach introduced themselves to the team and provided context for how we will be working together during this season.
Erin Weber-Johnson and Mieke Vandersall asked our listening team what the deepest desires of our hearts were for this process. Together, we created this word cloud below:
While our team is working to create opportunities for listening across the diocese and reporting back what we hear, we want to remain centered in our "why" and in our hearts’ desires.
I invite you to share in this practice of centering and join me in praying:
O God of beginnings and renewals,
You call us into places we have not yet walked, and entrust us with people we have not yet met.
We come with trembling hands and open hearts, ready to be surprised by Your Spirit.
In our eagerness, keep us humble.
In our uncertainty, keep us steady.
In our joy, keep us generous.
Let this ministry be a place where truth is spoken in love, where the weary find rest, and where Your justice rolls down like a mighty river.
We offer our plans, our gifts, and our very selves to You—
trusting that what You begin, You will bring to fullness.
Amen.
The Rt. Rev. Adam J. Shoemaker
Bishop of Long Island