Outreach

God's Hands and Feet  in the World . . .

A commitment and willingness to walk alongside our brothers and sisters whoever and wherever they are characterizes Christian ministry at its best.  Outreach and mission work is our attempt to be God's hands and feet in the world.


Emmanuel's Mission and Extended Ministries Committee (MEMC) coordinates our efforts to provide financial support.  The seven-person committee works closely with our clergy and the Vestry to make outreach grants that further the mission of our parish and the Episcopal Church.  We support non-profit organizations that serve those in need, including those suffering from poverty, hunger, homelessness, illness, abuse and oppression.  We especially emphasize support for helping residents of our local community. Click here to get information and a grant application.


We are also blessed to have a large number of parishioners who organize our volunteers to provide countless hours of service.  If you would like to explore the variety of opportunities available for you to become involved, please call the Parish Office at 706-543-1294, or submit this form and someone will be in touch.   


Emmanuel has a long history of providing both volunteer service and financial support in our community and beyond.  Some of our partnerships and projects include:


Family Promise of Athens


Family Promise of Athens (formerly Interfaith Hospitality Network of Athens, Inc.) is a non-profit organization committed to providing housing support to families with children who are facing or experiencing the crisis of homelessness. Family Promise provides services to help prevent homelessness, shelter to families in need, and stabilization services to help families never become homeless again.  Emmanuel has been a long-time financial partner with Family Promise, and a large number of our parishioners volunteer  regularly to provide meals, transportation, onsite supervision, moving assistance, and other kinds of help.   If you have an interest in being a part of this team at any point during the year, please contact Sharon Rockholt.

Episcopal Relief & Development


ERD is the compassionate response of the Episcopal Church to human suffering in the world.   Hearing God's call to seek and serve Christ in all persons and to respect the dignity of every human being, ERD brings together the generosity of Episcopalians and others with the needs of the world.  ERD strives to facilitate healthier, more fulfilling lives in communities that are struggling with hunger, poverty, disaster and disease. ERD's programs impact  the lives of more than 3 million people annually.  

Our Daily Bread


Our Daily Bread Community Kitchen, administered by Action Ministries Athens, has a simple purpose to feed the hungry. More than 75,000 breakfasts and lunches anually are served Monday through Friday.  Emmanuel has participated  for many years with financial support and by providing teams of volunteers who provide and cook food.  

Bigger Vision

Bigger Vision Athens began in 1998 as an overflow emergency shelter for the homeless during the winter. It has grown to become a year-round shelter for up to 35 guests each night, with the hope that the guests are positively impacted by their experience at the shelter and will have the opportunity to return to being self sufficient.  A large number of community volunteers provide more than 10,000 meals each year.  Emmanuel has been part of that ministry for more than a decade.  Our cooking team meets at the Emmanuel kitchen one Sunday afternoon per month to prepare an evening meal for 40 guests and staff.  Once the food is ready, another team of our volunteers delivers it to the shelter and helps serve and clean up.

Emmanuel Thrift House

For many years, we have operated a Thrift House next door to the church.  Profits are reinvested in our community by making outreach grants to local charities.  We sell only donated goods and  appreciate donations of new or gently used items like clothing, jewelry, housewares, games, books, sporting equipment, seasonal decorations, and more.  Hours of operation are Wednesdays through  Fridays from 10am to 4pm, and Saturdays from 10am to 2 pm.  The store is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.  If you're interested in joining our corps of passionate volunteers, contact Leah Goodwin at 706-395-6468.


The Ark

The Ark is a safety net for Athens-Clarke County area residents who are just able to make ends meet until an unexpected job loss (through no fault or decision of their own) , reductions of hours, or unexpected medical or auto expense puts them in danger of being evicted and/or losing utilities.  Emmanuel is part of the bigger religious community that pools it resources to provide emergency financial assistance,  financial education, and asset-building programs to families in need.  The Ark aims to help people find self-sufficiency with  hope and self respect.

Christmas Giving

We partner with Athens-Clarke County schools and the Athens Community Council on Aging (ACCA) to collect and distribute Christmas gifts to children and elderly in our community.  Emmanuel has a close relationship with social workers in the public schools who help identify children at risk. For over 50 years, ACCA has served our elderly by promoting a lifetime of wellness through engagement, advocacy, education and support.

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