PRELUDE, February 2002

FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR:

HOW TO BUILD UNDERSTANDING

I have many people to thank for what I have learned about being a Christian: my parents, my grandparents, other relatives, the congregations in which I was raised, seminary professors, my parishioners, and other pastors. I suspect, though, that I have learned even more from people who are unlike me. Many people find that they never understand anything until they try to teach it to someone else. In the same way, I think, Christians often understand the Good News only after they try to explain what they believe to someone of another faith or to fellow believers whose background is quite different from theirs.

Some Christians find interdenominational or interreligious dialogue threatening, but I find it exhilarating. The LICC has started an interfaith dialogue on abortion, a Jewish-Christian dialogue on the Middle East conflict, and the Multi-Faith Forum. Many of our projects, from Jericho Road (which developed new ministries with Hispanics) to our Fall Convocations, have brought Christians together across racial and denominational barriers. In the wake of the September 11 attacks, Americans have a renewed eagerness to know their neighbors, and the LICC has been glad to receive countless call from those who want to meet Arab-American Christians, Muslims, Sikhs, Hindus, and others who have been largely invisible in our region. Bringing people together and building bridges between diverse people may be the most important work that we do.

Like many important things, interfaith dialogue is not easy. In his new book about the founding of the Westbury mosque, Faroque Khan tells how the Islamic Center of Long Island and Temple Beth El in Great Neck started their long-running interfaith discussion series called American Muslims and Jews in Dialogue. What they learned might help almost any attempt to build understanding between people of different faith communities, different denominations, different nationalities, or different ethnic backgrounds:

• Approach the dialogue with a sense of humility, an open mind, and a willingness to listen patiently to other viewpoints.
• Respect your partners in dialogue
• Keep a balance of participants, both of faith communities and men and women.
• Hospitality in one's home can be an ice-breaker; sharing food can initiate dialogue about what you eat or don't eat and why.
• Define your position as clearly as possible and don't avoid distinctive customs; when prayer time arrives, for example, Muslims excuse themselves and pray.
• Compare similar items; since culture and religion often get mixed up, try to compare beliefs with beliefs and customs with customs.

Wouldn't it be great if this sort of loving, respectful meeting of minds might be duplicated over and over again across our island and our nation?

Shalom/Salaam/Shanti/Pax
Tom

A WORD OF THANKS

• to Presbyterians in Baldwin for $6000 for our food pantries
  
  
• to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance for a grant of $15,000 for emergency food and aid for stranded immigrant workers
  
  
• to the language clubs at Half Hollows High School West in Dix Hills for $1200 raised for our food program through their bowl-a-thon
  
  
• to Washington Mutual/Dime Savings Bank for a truck-load of furniture they donated for our Riverhead and Hempstead centers
  
  
• to Church World Service for arranging a donation of new clothing to aid migrant farm workers and 1st United Methodist Church in Amityville and their pastor Erik Rasmussen for renting a truck and hauling the clothes from New Jersey to Riverhead.
  
  
• to the Interfaith Council of Oceanside, for their gift of $1000 to aid our emergency food program (and a similar gift to a kosher food pantry in Massapequa). Most local clergy associations operate on a shoestring, but this group has managed to pull off both some impressive community-wide interfaith dialogues and real generosity toward their neighbors in need!
  
  
• to the Commnity Church of East Williston, the Presbyterian Churches of Levittown and Port Jefferson, the Community Church of Manhasset, and Presbyterian Disaster Assistance for substantial gifts for emergency food and 9/11 response.
  
  
• to KeySpan for the gift of a van, which will be an enormous help for our Riverhead emergency food program.

IDEAS YOU CAN USE:

Knitters at Garden City Community Church knit little bears for all new babies in the church. What a great way to care for the youngest members of the flock--and for their parents!

If you would like info on how to make these, contact Phoebe McMillan at 516-746-1193.

If your congregation has a group which knits or crochets for this or other mission projects (such as hats for the homeless), they can receive a discount at the yarn shop in Amityville run by our Executive Director's wife, Karen Pohlig.

WORTH QUOTING:

"The Social Value of Blood Donation"

"Within hours after the attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11, the nation experienced the largest surge of blood donations in history. . . . We were all frightened and horrified at the sights we saw and what they meant. But still, each day in our very own community, more than 1,500 hospital patients need blood transfusions. They are the victims on whom we can now concentrate our spirit of giving and community. As we do so, we will become a community and nation that does not suffer blood shortages and the hardships they bring to people and the entire health care system. This perhaps could be the finest memorial of all to this tragedy and assault on our community and nation."

"The Promise of World Peace"

"Racism, one of the most baneful and persistent evils, is a major barrier to peace. The emancipation of women, the achievement of full equality of the sexes, is one of the most important, though less acknowledged, prerequisites of peace.
The inordinate disparity between rich and poor keeps the world in a state of instability. . . .
Unbridled nationalism, as distinguished from a sane and legitimate patriotism, must give way to a wider loyalty, to the love of humanity as a whole. . . .
During this hour of crisis, we affirm our abiding faith in the destiny of America. We know that the road to its destiny is long, thorny and tortuous, but we are confident that America will emerge from her trials undivided and undefeatable."

LICC OFFERS WORKSHOPS ON LOANS, CREDIT, AND FINANCES

At the Long Island Council of Churches we see many vulnerable people who have been exploited by loan sharks, check-cashing places, and abusive lenders. At our Social Services offices in Hempstead and Riverhead we regularly end up trying to help those who are already in deep financial trouble, often because they have been victimized by predatory lending.

We are launching a new program to help prevent these tragedies and to help people get a fair deal from banks and other financial institutions. We are planning our first presentation for sometime in late April at a congregation in Riverhead or nearby. This presentation would run about an hour and a half, anytime in late April. We will arrange for speakers, publicity, educational materials, free credit checks for those who come, and other freebies. All you need to supply is the location and refreshments. If you would like this sort of a workshop at your congregation, please contact Tom Goodhue or Sara Weiss at 565-0290, send a fax (516-565- 0291) or e-mail me at licchemp@aol.com.

MORE RESPONSES TO THE TERROR ATTACKS:

Here are some additional resources to help people deal with the aftermath of Sept. 11:

• Very few organizations are doing much to help the thousands of people who lost their jobs as a result of the attacks but who did not work south of Canal Street in Manhattan. While some who worked in the Financial District are reportedly receiving payments of their $10,000 a month mortgages, the only agencies on Long Island which seem to be helping those such as limo drivers and airline employees are:
  • the LICC (we have a few thousand dollars to help these folks)
  • Catholic Charities
  • the Salvation Army
  • St. Vincent de Paul
  
  
• Church World Service (which the LICC and many of you have long supported) has established an Emotional & Spiritual Care Resource Center to help folks find the long-term support they need for their psyches and souls (1-800-226-7962)
  
  
• CWS's Disaster Response Program also is providing long-term trauma & grief training for clergy at Eastern Mennonite University in Virginia (and we intend to tap their experience to care for clergy and others on Long Island). The number to call is 212-870-3151.
  
  
• FEGS & Project Liberty will bring free seminars called "Life after 9/11" to your congregation, workplace, or community group. Call 516-496-7550, ext. 115, or 631-874-2700, ext. 201.
  
  
• The Victims Information Bureau of Suffolk (VIBS) is offering several different types of support groups for:
  • those who survived or witnessed the attack on the World Trade Center,
  • emergency personnel involved in recovery efforts, and
  • those who lost a loved one in the attacks.
  VIBS also can help with Crime Victims Board compensation applications. Their services are free and confidential. For more info, call 631-360-3606 or email hotline@vibs.org.
  
  
• Project Liberty and the Mental Health Assn. of Nassau County are offering a stress management for crisis counselors workshop on Thursday, January 31 at Pilgrim Psychiatric Center in West Brentwood, with a session for outreach workers from 9:00 to noon and another for supervisors and coordinators of outreach workers from 1 to 4. Call 515-489-2322, ext. 219 to register.

UNITED IN CHRIST CONCERT:

United in Christ is presenting a concert with gospel soloist Karen Orlando and the King's Army (who performed at Jesus Alive 2000 in the Nassau Coliseum) at East Meadow United Methodist Church (470 East Meadow Avenue) on Saturday, February 23, at 7:30 p.m. An offering of non-perishable food for the LICC Food Pantry will be received. For directions or further information, call Gus or Gloria Shuck at 631-277-4365.

NEEDED/OFFERED:

Needed:

• Classroom space: The LINCT Learn and Earn Computer Program, a not-for-profit which teaches low-income people to operate refurbished computers and then gives these students machines to keep at the end of their instruction, is seeking donated sites where they can hold classes, storage space for donated equipment, and computer-literate trainers. If you or your congregation can provide any of these, please call Peggy Kelly at 631-728-9100.
  
  
• Romanians: Do you know anyone who is from Romania or has spent a great deal of time there? Church Women United will be focusing on this country on the first Friday in March for their World Day of Prayer. The Westhampton Beach group is already pursuing our former Executive Director, Bob Pierce, who spent a sabbatical there, but there are about half a dozen CWU chapters in our area, all of whom are looking for speakers. Do you know anyone you would suggest?
  
  
• Christians: The Long Island Multi-Faith Forum is seeking Christians willing to serve as panelists or moderators for Building Bridges programs, which visit local churches, synagogues, workplaces, schools, and community groups to help us get to know our neighbors better and to increase our understanding and respect for one another. Would you be willing to tell others how you live your life as a Christian here on Long Island? If so, please contact Tom Goodhue (516-565-0290 / licchemp@aol.com) and plan on attending the next training for panelists and moderators on Sunday, March 10, from 2:00 to 5:00 at a mid-island location yet to be determined.

Offered:

• Youth Group Volunteers: 15 senior high youth from 1st United Methodist Church in Maiden, NC, will be staying in Manhattan June 19-26 and have offered to help with local food pantries, shelters, disaster relief projects, etc. If you would like to put them to work, contact Jody Stouffer: stouffer@charter.net.
  
  
• Harry Potter Program: J.K. Rowling's wildly popular books have been both praised and condemned by Christians. Little Portion Friary in Mt. Sinai is offering an "intergenerational day of reflection" on February 16 on the theme "Who Is Harry Potter?" There is no charge for this program, which will be led by Brother Jude, SSF, and Sister Rose, CSF, but a free will donation is requested. It is open to those of all ages who have read the books. To register, call 631-473-0553 or email mtsinaifriary@aol.com.
  
  
• Training for diversity: The application deadline has been extended until Feb. 1 for Project Blueprint, a program of the United way (to which the LICC belongs) which seeks to increase the diversity of the governing boards of not-for-profits on LI. Project Blueprint provides excellent, extensive training at no charge to prospective board members. If you know someone who should apply, or if your organization would like a new board trained by Project Blueprint, call Joan Lui at 631-940-3737 for an application.
  
  
• Housing Help: A Fair Housing Fair will be presented on Wednesday, Feb. 27, from 6 to 9 p.m. at Stella Maris, the Catholic school in Sag Harbor. It is free, includes a light supper, and will be bilingual. It is sponsored by the South Fork Progressive Coalition. For more info call Pastor Rose Ann Vita (a member of our Eastern Area Steering Committee) at 631-537-1187 or Kathryn Szoka at 631-725-4926.

HEALTH CARE--WHERE TO GET HELP

At the LICC--and in many churches across the nation--we often help people who have no health insurance and no idea where they can find treatment. Our Public Issues Committee has been compiling information on where those in need can receive care, and they are designing a survey of health-related ministries offered by congregations in our region. Here is what they know already about where you can send those in need of medical care:

CHILD HEALTH PLUS & FAMILY HEALTH PLUS

provides free or low-cost health insurance for children and adults with family income of $16,000 to $40,000 - 877-543-7669 / 516-733-7009 / 516-483-1110 ext. 11 / 516-623-7400 ext. 122

MEDICAID

covers low-income individuals and families; contact Dept. of Social Services

MEDICARE

covers those over 65 - 800-772-1213

EPIC

a prescription plan for seniors with annual income of $16-40,000 - 800-332-2150

HOSPITALS

every hospital is obligated to provide free care, in exchange for state subsides, but you may have to fight to get it.

COUNTY HEALTH CLINICS

provide out-patient care on a sliding scale, with 6 clinics in Nassau and 12 in Suffolk, 800-230-PLAN

STONY BROOK HOSPITAL FAMILY PRACTICE CENTER

Treats all regardless of ability to pay 631-444-2000

ROTOCARE

operates a much-praised free clinic in Uniondale, 516-539-9834 treats all, including the undocumented, Monday afternoons & Thursday evenings

NORTH SHORE-LIJ PEDIATRIC MOBILE HEALTH CENTER

for children up to 18; no one turned away due to inability to pay - Tues & Thurs, 9 to 5, at Hagedorn Center, 120 Greenwich in Hempstead - 1-888-207-3714

SHRINERS HOSPITAL

free care for some children; call 800-361-7256

PLANNED PARENTHOOD

cancer screening; ob-gyn care for women; birth control & STI care for men

• sliding scale, no one turned away for inability to pay
• 6 clinics in Suffolk 631-361-7526
• 3 clinics in Nassau 516-750-2500

PEARLE VISION FOUNDATION

eye surgery and optical devices - 214-241-3381

CATHOLIC CHARITIES/CATHOLIC HEALTH SERVICE

parish health services across the island - Call 516-733-7045 for intake and referral

FRANKLIN GENERAL HOSPITAL

prenatal care at 2 Main St. in Hempstead, Wednesdays, 9 a.m. to noon - 516-256-6225

LONG ISLAND COUNCIL OF CHURCHES

Eyeglass and prescription assistance - 516-565-0390/631-727-2210

SUFFOLK HEARING & SPEECH CENTER

hearing evaluation & speech therapy for children 631-665-7772

GOOD SAMARITAN HOSPITAL, WEST ISLIP

free exams and screening for uninsured, Thursdays 9 a.m. - 631-665-4917

LUNG CANCER SCREENING

for those 60 and older 866-NY-ELCAP

FREE SCREENING FOR BREAST & CERVICAL CANCER

631-853-3765

If you know other options for free or low-cost care for those without medical coverage, please call Mary Dewar (718-276-9394), Tom Goodhue (516-565-0290), or Chris Veech (631-499-1680), or email licchemp@aol.com.