PRELUDE, May 2001

FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR:

"WHO IS MY NEIGHBOR?"

The Gospel According to Luke tells us that when an expert in the law of Moses asked Jesus to summarize the teaching of Judaism--as a rabbi was supposed to be able to do succinctly, while standing on one foot--he turned the question on his questioner. The lawyer replied,

"Love the Lord your God will your whole heart, your whole soul, your whole strength, and your whole mind," and "Love your neighbor as much as you love yourself." Jesus commended him for this answer, but the man then asked Jesus, "Who is my neighbor?" Luke reports that Jesus answered this question with a tale, one the best short stories of all time, the Parable of the Good Samaritan.

The Samaritans were hated, despised enemies of the Jews. To portray one of them as good was deeply shocking. I think Jesus was telling his audience two important truths, neither of which they wanted to hear: that your enemy may be the one to aid you in your hour of need, and that your enemy is your neighbor.

I've been thinking about this story quite a bit lately. My trip to Israel has led me to ponder whether it is really possible to "go and do likewise" as Jesus urged the expert in the law: to emulate the good behavior of someone you loathe and to accept your enemy as your neighbor. When my wife and I went on a Catholic-Protestant peace trip to Northern Ireland, it was hard to imagine that the warring tribes of Ulster could ever find a way to live together, but that is exactly what they have been doing for the past few years. Perhaps "God can make a way somehow" for the inhabitants of Israel and Palestine to find justice and peace in their divided region. And I wonder too: what is Jesus telling us about our neighbors here on Long Island? Who is the enemy who may come to your aid when you are weak, wounded, and left by the side of the road? How are you called to follow the good example of someone you despise?

Shalom/Salaam/Shanti,

Tom

IDEAS YOU CAN USE: HARRIET TUBMAN DAY

Harriet Tubman was both a brave "conductor" on the Underground Railroad, leading hundreds of slaves to freedom, and an important figure in Methodism in upstate New York. Many AME Zion congregations make regular pilgrimages from Long Island to Tubman's home in Auburn. The Rev. Sarah Barber-Braun and 1st Universalist Church in Southold recently celebrated Harriet Tubman Day with Clinton AMEZ in Greenport. Why not do the same in your community?

An account of her life can be found in our Executive Director's most recent collection of children's sermons (Sharing the Good News with Children, St. Anthony Messenger Press), and Walter Robinson has written a wonderful ballad about her called "Harriet Tubman" (Shawnee Press, ASCAP) which was recorded by Holly Near & Ronnie Gilbert on "Lifeline" (Redwood Records). Sarah Barber-Braun would be glad to share ideas with you for your local celebration. You can call her at 631-765-3494. A move is underway (Assembly Bill 4090/Senate Bill 2203) to declare a state holiday in honor of Tubman.

RESOURCES FOR YOUR CONGREGATION:

New videos in the LICC lending library, available for the asking:

• "The Face: Jesus in Art"
• "Soul Prints with Marc Gafni"
• "Heaven Touches Brooklyn" (the dance of the Giglio)
• "Miracle" (an examination of faith healers Benny Hinn & Reinhard Bonnke)

Overeaters Anonymous

• OA is a Twelve-Step program for people with eating disorders of all kinds. There are no dues or fees. If you would like more information or would like to invite an OA speaker to your organization, call Sheila M. at 631-673-6271. For a meeting list of OA groups throughout Suffolk County, write to Suffolk County Intergroup of OA, 231 Buffalo Ave., Medford, NY 11763, and indicate whether you would like the list e-mailed or snail-mailed to you.

KUDOS:

• The Wantagh CROP Walk received the prestigious Golden Sneaker Award from Church World Service in March for the greatest annual increase in money raised to fight hunger.
• Helen Samuels and Grace MacMillan also were honored for their promotion of CWS kits.
• The LICC itself was recognized "for outstanding partnership in mission."
• MEET OUR NEW WEB-MEISTER:
  Carolyn Moon has graciously agreed to serve as the new administrator our Web site, taking over from Jim Specht, who has done a great job of updating and maintaining the site. Carolyn recently established a Web-site for her church in Rockville Centre, and you may have seen her lead the Rejoice! Liturgical Dance Choir at our annual meeting last May. Many thanks for all your talents, Carolyn! You can visit the LICC Web site at http://www.ncccusa.org/ecmin/licc.

NEEDED/OFFERED

Needed:

• The Justice Project, a restorative justice project dealing with family support, rehabilitation, and community education, needs office space somewhere in eastern Nassau or Western Suffolk at little or no rent. Call Barbara at 516-997-5924 or 631-243-4270.

Offered:

• Gestefax transparency films for an overhead projector are available for the taking from the LICC Hempstead office.
• Jim Claffey from the Fight for Families Coalition (to which the LICC belongs) would like to meet with local clergy associations to talk about the coalition's efforts to make sure that services for poor and working families are preserved in the midst of Nassau County's fiscal crisis. You can reach him at 516-483-1110, ext. 12 or jclaffey@hwcli.com.

Worship Services in Many Languages

So many people expressed appreciation for the information on Spanish-language worship services which we published in the March Prelude--that we have decided to begin compiling similar data on other non-English worship services. If you know of any such opportunities, please let our Hempstead office know whatever you can tell us about

• the church
• the language in which worship is conducted
• worship leaders
• telephone numbers for further information.

Our Board encourages you to make sure that diverse language communities are included in local ecumenical and interfaith services for Thanksgiving, Epiphany, Martin Luther King Day, Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, etc. Students studying various languages might also benefit from visiting these services. We will publish this list soon--and update the Spanish-worship list--as we receive additional information (call 516-565-0290 or e-mail licc@netzero.com).

JOBS AVAILABLE:

• Port Washington United Methodist Church is seeking a Christian Education Coordinator who will work 12-15 hours a week. Bachelor's degree and experience or training in Christian education preferred. Contact the Rev. Edward Horne, P.O. Box 929, Port Washington, 11050. Phone 516- 883-1430. Fax 516-883-1432. Email: pwumc@aol.com.
• Long Island Korean United Methodist Church in Commack is seeking a Christian Education Director who will work Saturdays and Sundays leading their Sunday School. Contact the Re. Tae-Hun Yoon at 631-499-1260.