The LICC is an ecumenical organization of Christians who are deeply involved in multi-faith work, which we are trying to reflect in our new mission statement:
"The Long Island Council of Churches unites diverse Christians to work together to improve living conditions on Long Island and to promote interfaith understanding and cooperation."
To write the word "crisis" in Chinese and many other Asian languages, you combine the symbols for "danger" and "opportunity." I believe there is both danger and opportunity in our nation's current crisis. Take Christmas, for example.
One danger in uncertain times is that people will worry themselves sick about having enough money to buy all kinds of stuff for the kids and everyone else. All of our sacred days--Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza--have become commercialized and trivialized. And yet, the gift you make yourself usually brings more joy than those you bought. The time you give to others often brings more satisfaction than all the shopping in the world. So save some time this December to go caroling to shut-ins. Or lend a hand at a soup kitchen or food pantry. We have the opportunity in this time of national crisis to rediscover the real meaning of Christmas. We have been powerfully reminded by the events of Sept. 11 that family and friends, compassion and courage, are the most important gifts of all. Christmas was originally the Feast of the Incarnation, a celebration of the miraculous way in which, as the Gospel of John puts it, God "became human flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth."
Christians claim that Jesus came for the whole world, and this season also offers an opportunity to embrace the globe-spanning Body of Christ. We can sing Advent songs from around the world, to use prayers from many cultures and denominations, to lift up the customs of diverse believers from many lands. This fall our nation has been striving to live up to our best ideals, including those of tolerance and religious liberty. I doubt that there has ever been a time before this in our history when there have been so many ecumenical and interfaith worship services, so many Christians eager to understand their Muslim neighbors, and so many people committed to protecting innocent Muslims, Sikhs, Hindus, and Arab Christians from harassment. We have much to be thankful for--and much good work to do.
Shalom/Salaam/Pax
Tom
Most churches experience a "low Sunday" after Christmas, when fewer people are in worship and many preachers have difficulty revving themselves up for one more sermon. You can spark interest among both the preacher and those in the pews with a "Question and Answer" sermon. During the preceding weeks, urge people to write down, fax, or email questions about God, the Bible, your beliefs, the reason for the season, the meaning of life, or nearly anything else. If time permits and the preacher is brave, take impromptu inquiries from the floor. If both children and adults will be present, take questions from young and old alike--you will probably find that both kids and their parents pay closer attention than ever seen before. When clerics tackle queries head-on and are willing to admit that they do not know everything, it communicates powerfully that "we believe in thinking" and that we can be honest about our curiosity, our doubts, and our confusion. As an ad campaign for the Episcopal Church said a few years ago, "Jesus came to take away your sin, not your mind."
At the LICC we often trying to save those whose lives already resemble train wrecks. We spend an enormous amount of time trying to help those who are paying too much to cash checks, are drowning in debt, or are at risk of losing their home to a finance company. Every day we aid clients who really need affordable housing more than they need the temporary assistance we can offer with rent or utilities. Every month we see families who have been victimized by con artists, who got a really bad home improvement loan, for example, instead of the reverse-equity mortgage they needed and who are now at risk of becoming homeless. Worst of all, predatory lenders are targeting the most vulnerable among us: recent immigrants, the elderly, and the poor. The Bible tells us to share our wealth with the "foreigners, orphans, and widows" (Deuteronomy 26:12) but loan sharks fleece them of what little they have.
Your congregation has a real stake in preventing this injustice: those who are exploited often turn to clergy for money, are unable to pay the pledge they have made to the church, or may be forced to relocate outside your community. Some of those who come to the LICC seeking help are themselves pastors--and many more clergy ought to get help.
We want to do something about this and we want to help you do something. The LICC, in conjunction with the Long Island Housing Partnership, Family & Children's Association, GreenPoint Savings Bank, and other banks, is offering a series of workshops on how parishioners can avoid predatory "sub-prime" lenders, repair a credit rating, manage credit cards, and such. Each of these presentations will focus on what your particular congregations wants to know. Foreclosure prevention? How to get a reverse-equity mortgage? How to get a good home improvement loan? How to get help if you have already been victimized? There is no charge for these seminars--just provide a space, refreshments, and an audience. Family & Children's association and others will do individual financial counseling with those who want further follow- up assistance. Bilingual speakers, brochures, and counselors are available. What would you like us to address in your community? To arrange a workshop, call Tom Goodhue at 516-565-0290.
The LICC encourages congregations to observe a Sunday in January as LICC Sunday. You might pray for the ministry of the Council, share information about our activities, and take an offering for the LICC. Descriptions of our work and special offering envelopes are available for the asking if you call 516-565-0290. You also might invite a speaker from the Council or a Building Bridges panel to speak at your church that Sunday. Sunday, January 20, during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, Jan. 18-25, would be a good time to observe LICC Sunday.
There's a very good practical reason to write a will--you may not like how the state will divide your assets if you don't--but there also are reasons to do so:
Do you want to remember your congregation in your will? The LICC? Some other good cause? Our Director of Development, Sara Weiss, would be glad to help you plan this. She can also tell you about various forms of planned giving, such as charitable remainder trusts, which provide steady income during your lifetime and will support the LICC after you have "gone on to join the Church Triumphant." You can reach Sara at 516-565-0290.
"We are the most religiously diverse people on earth. And yet how many of us
know the difference between Sikhs and Muslims, or Sunnis and Shi'ites? How
many know the difference between Pure Land Buddhism and Zen?"
--Barbara Brown Taylor, Christian Century Sept. 26-Oct. 3, 2001
Tom Goodhue is booked up until January, but Anne Vaughan, the LICC's Social Service Director, is also willing to preach and speak in local churches. The Rev. Barbara Hosmer, a clergywoman in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and a member of our Western Area Steering Committee, is available for guest-preaching in Nassau County. You can reach her at 516-355-0264.
You might be able to save money on your income taxes by making a charitable contribution to the LICC, your local congregation, or other causes before Dec. 31, since income is taxed at a higher rate this year than it will be next year. If you are considering a sizeable gift, the savings could be considerable.
Many more people in our region are looking for work these days--but many employers continue to have trouble finding the workers they need. Clergy can provide help and encouragement to job seekers by starting a file of resumes and job listings and letting parishioners or prospective employers know whenever there seems to be a good match. We do this at the LICC, in addition to regularly running the job listings which churches and other organizations send us. If you are a parson, why not start this sort of a file and let your flock know you are doing it. If you are a job- seeker or employer, send us your info!
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Roosevelt is seeking an organist/choir director for a 10 a.m. service on Sundays and a rehearsal on Thursdays at 7 p.m., plus occasional special services. Call 516-378-5486 for information.