PRELUDE, July/August 2004

FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR:

LESSONS FROM PUERTO RICO

One of the good things about vacations is that they often put our lives in perspective. Traveling someplace new often does this for me. On a recent vacation, Karen and I visited Puerto Rico for the first time. Let the reader beware: I am no expert. I researched some aspects of Puerto Rican history for the three or four children's sermons about the island that are found in my collection "Sharing the Good News with Children" (St. Anthony Messenger Press), but that's about the limit of my knowledge of the place. Here are a few things I noticed, though, as a newcomer:

1. In Puerto Rico, Pilgrims (los Peregrinos) refers not to 17th century Protestant English Separatists who landed in Massachusetts but rather to the Catholic Franciscan, Dominican, and Jesuit missionaries who arrived in the 15th and 16th centuries.
   
   
2. In San Juan, Spanish language commercials are aired before English-language films and on the English-language television channels, evidently expecting the audience to be fluently bilingual.
   
   
3. The Museum of the Americas in Old San Juan dedicates a large portion of its outstanding permanent exhibit to the island's African heritage. It also reminds visitors that racial identity is an artificial concept: all our earliest ancestors came from Africa; in a sense we are all Africans. Another museum nearby is dedicated to conveying this heritage to kids. Likewise, many statues in Puerto Rico celebrate the blending of Spanish, native, and African races and cultures that have shaped their history. Can you imagine a statue such as this where you live?

How richer our lives might be on this Island, I wonder, if we remembered that our land was settled by native peoples, Spanish Catholics, and others long before my Puritan ancestors arrived here, if we could all speak a second language, and if we embraced and gave thanks to God for the blending of races and cultures that has made us uniquely American? Can you imagine how much closer that might bring us to fulfilling the prayer of Jesus that all who followed him might be one?

Shalom/Salaam/Shanti/Pax
Tom

PAPER OR PIXEL?

Some readers of "The Prelude" may wonder why they receive both the printed and emailed versions of the LICC newsletter. The two editions are not identical. The paper version often has flyers we would like you to see (and post somewhere) that are difficult to email to many of our readers, and the electronic version often has announcements, job listings, and blood drive info that was received after the deadline for the printed version (which was June 1 for this issue and will be August 1 for the September issue). This electronic edition often includes our Executive Director's reviews of television programs that he previewed after deadline, such as "A Thief of Time" in this edition. We would be happy to send you either version, or both, or neither. Just let us know your preferences and your correct addresses.

DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT

Sara C. Weiss, Director of Development

Special thanks go to the Altria Employee Fund (formerly Philip Morris) for its generous gift of $25,000 that will support a full-time food service person at the Riverhead Emergency Food Center. We have desperately needed an additional full-time person for Riverhead to handle the overwhelming number of people who come to us for food and other social services. The Altria funds could not have come at a better time. Thanks to all the employees at Altria who made this possible!

Special thanks also go to the Nassau County Bar Association for its generous gift of $15,000 to help support our Hempstead Emergency Food Center. This is the largest gift the Bar Association has given us to date, and it is sorely needed to help feed the increasing number of individuals and families who would otherwise go without food. We are grateful to the Bar Association's WE CARE Advisory Board for this important gift. And we are grateful to the following for their gifts of $500 or more:

Bethpage Federal Credit Union	$500 Annual Meeting Sponsor
Congregational Church of Manhasset	$500 where most needed
Deamoak's Planning Services, Ltd.	$500 Annual Meeting Sponsor
Episcopal Diocese of Long Island	$1,500 Most Urgent Needs - homelessness prevention
GreenPoint Bank	$1,000 Annual Meeting Sponsor
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church	$500 Emergency Food
JPMorgan Chase	$1,000 Annual Meeting Sponsor
Stony Brook Community Church	$500 for social services
Roslyn Presbyterian Church	$1,000 Emergency Food
Suffolk Association-UCC	$1,550 where most needed
United Church of Christ Women	$1,000 "Pennies for People" - Food for Riverhead
United Way of Long Island	$1,475 monthly support

We thank Adrienne Flipse Hausch, Esq., for her generous contribution of $1,000 to help support our Women at the Well released women prisoners re-entry project. (She gave us permission to thank her publicly.)

In the month of May we also had many donations of food to the Hempstead Food Pantry, including those from:

• Bellmore Presbyterian Church
• Bethany Congregational Church
• Bethpage United Methodist Church
• Community Presbyterian Church of Malverne
• Community Presbyterian Church, Merrick
• Episcopal Church of Manhasset
• First Presbyterian Church, Baldwin
• First Presbyterian Church, Oceanside
• Grace United Methodist Church
• Plaza Elementary School
• Presbyterian Community Church
• Roslyn Presbyterian Church
• St. Jude's Church Episcopal
• St. Paul's Lutheran Church
• Sea Cliff United Methodist Church
• United Church, Rockville Centre
• United Methodist Church of East Meadow
• United Methodist Church of Hicksville
• United Methodist Church of Merrick

A great way to remember a loved one is to give a gift to the Long Island Council of Churches in his/her name. In your letter accompanying such a gift, please tell us who the gift is in memory of, and who is giving the gift. We will send a thank you letter to the contributor and to the family of the loved one in accordance with your instructions. Please send your contribution to the LICC, attention: Sara Weiss. If you have questions, call Sara for further information at 516-565-0290.

LICC's MOST URGENT NEEDS FOR THIS MONTH

This month's most urgent need is for funding for transportation. When funds are available, we buy MetroCards in denominations of $4.00 and $20.00. Our clients use $4.00 MetroCards to get to and from an appointment, e.g., a doctor's appointment or a job interview. They use $20.00 MetroCards to get to work. This month we urgently need 300 MetroCards that will help up to 75 families get to work and to appointments. We can never keep up with the need, so we would be very grateful for contributions to help fill this important service to our clients.

A BRIGHT IDEA

One of our supporters, Charles Vasoll, had a great idea. He organized a "Trash and Treasures" sale in the parking lot of his church, the Community Church of East Williston. He rented space from the church and, with the help of several of his friends/congregants, sold a bike, two totes, and eight bags of pre-owned golf balls (six to a bag), and gave the proceeds to the Long Island Council of Churches.

Would you be willing to do the same at your church to help raise money for the Long Island Council of Churches? We think it's a wonderful idea. We greatly appreciate what Charles did and hope you will consider doing the same at your church for us.

ANNUAL MEETING HONOREES:

At the LICC's Annual Meeting, we presented awards to our most generous donors, including but not limited to:

• The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and the Presbytery of Long Island - Denomination of the Year.
• Garden City Community Church - Church of the Year.
• Newsday Charities - Foundation of the Year.
• JPMorgan Chase - Company of the Year.
• Nassau County Bar Association - Agency of the Year.
• Ms. Marian Hubbard, Philanthropist of the Year.
• The Rev. Maureen Kessler, Staff Person of the Year.
• The Rev. David Parker, Volunteer of the Year.

Congratulations, one and all! We are also grateful to our corporate sponsors: Bethpage Federal Credit Union, Commerce Bank, Deamoak's Financial Services, Ltd., GreenPoint Bank, JPMorgan Chase, and Riverhead Building Supply for their generous support of our Annual Meeting this year.

"How Do We Teach Our Faith Without Defaming Other Traditions?"

At the LICC's 2004 Annual Meeting at Temple Beth David in Commack, prominent Long Island clergy addressed this topic. The panelists were Rabbi Jerome Davidson, Temple Beth El in Great Neck, Father Manny Gratsias, Resurrection Greek Orthodox Church in Glen Cove, and Sanaa Nadim, Muslim chaplain at Stony Brook University. The Rev. Tom Goodhue, LICC executive director, moderated.

Rabbi Davidson asked the question, "How do we bridge the gaps between faiths?" His answer: "Through tolerance, understanding, sensitivity and restraint.... It's very Jewish both to be true to one's own religious integrity but at the same time accept other religious traditions and ideas.... Anything that joins us heart to heart, person to person, will enable us to live contentedly in a pluralistic society."

Father Gratsias is part of a joint commission of Roman Catholics and Orthodox Christians. As members of the joint commission studied the history together, they discovered that what separated them was not religious but political issues. They did an objective study of their history, then published and disseminated their results. Once they understood that the schisms were based on non-religious issues, aggravated by the complete lack of communication between the two groups for over 150 years, they were able to learn more about what they had in common.

Sanaa Nadim was born in Egypt, where she lived until she was 15. In Egypt she attended a French school where her teachers were nuns, priests, Jews, and Muslims. Her father had Jewish friends in the 1970's. She knew nothing about the conflict between the faith traditions until she moved to the United States. She read a passage from the Koran that said God created divine human populations to live peacefully together, and God wishes to unite mankind. Ms. Nadim explained that in Spain under the Moors, Christians, Jews and Muslims lived and worked together peacefully and politics didn't tear them apart. Humanity is one in the sight of God, she said. Every tradition has statements about good, peace, forgiveness, and courage. Allah is kind and loves kindness, she believes. She emphasized that many Koranic verses speak of peace. It is human behavior, not religion, that has created the madness. "We need to build bridges beyond our own traditions," she urged. "We have to convince the clerics, community leaders, and heads of families to build bridges."

An Acrostic Hymn For the Long Island Council of Churches

by the Rev. David Parker, for our 2004 Annual Meeting
(Tunes: Hymn to Joy, Beecher, & Hydryfol)

All now join in celebration,
Churches linked by faith and love,
Clearly let this acclamation
Lead to honor One above.
As this Council we're commending
In this hymn of happy praise,
May our tribute be unending,
Illustrated in vast ways!

Now we're to its work attending,
Graced by God, to whom we turn
Thankfully, forever questing:
How best from each other learn?
Ecumenical its mission,
Love that's seen is always best,
Outlined issues, voiced the vision
Nobly seen and soundly stressed!

Gratefully and lovingly we'll
Indicate how much we care-
Such as Migrant Ministry-we'll
Labor toward the goals we share.
And our inclusivity we
Note with endless thanks, it's clear;
Does the Council not agree we
Count our blessings, year by year?

Onward will we keep on striving,
Under God, as well we should:
Nuanced programs like our thriving
Chaplaincies that do great good!
Inter-faith association
Lies right near the Council's heart,
Offering rich inspiration:
Food dispensed with love's an art!

Children's needs the Council's reaching,
Housing, health, and hunger, too.
Urgently is faith we're preaching
Recognized through what we do!
Churches with good cause uniting,
Holding Blood Drives-so much more-
Ever doing things exciting,
Serving One whom we adore!

WHY ARE SO MANY PEOPLE HUNGRY ON LONG ISLAND?
WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT IT?

The LICC's emergency food centers, like soup kitchens and food pantries across our region, have faced steady increases in the number of people coming to us for help.

This year's Fall Convocation (Saturday, Sept. 25, at 1st Baptist Church in Riverhead) will examine the impact of public policy on poverty in our region, how congregations and charities are responding, and what policy changes might reduce the suffering of those who are hungry. Other partners with us include Catholic Charities, the Interfaith Nutrition Network, Southampton Town Human Resources, and Church World Service, Long Island Cares, and Bread for the World. We hope that you will leave this program with a desire both to give money and to become involved in fighting hunger in your own community. We also hope that you will arrive with something, too. Could you bring:

• non-perishable food for the LICC food pantries and other food pantries?
• produce from your garden or farms for the INN and other soup kitchens?
• donations to help feed the hungry?
• a pen to join in a Bread for the World "offering of letters" on a hunger issue?
• sponsor sheets for you to sign up CROP Walk volunteers or donors for your next CROP Walk?
• comfortable shoes to take part in a fifteen-minute Mini CROP Walk during our break?

And could you find a place to post the poster for our Convocation that is enclosed in this issue of "The Prelude"? Thanks!

WORTH QUOTING

On the abuse of Iraqi prisoners

"Some say torture is an inevitable part of war. It's asking a lot to take a group of young adults, teach them that 'the enemy' are evil and deserve death, give them nearly absolute power over a group of people they think are 'the enemy,' and expect them to behave in ways that are effective, disciplined, and humane. But that's what we do expect. We expect Americans (and all civilized people) to hold on to a belief in the basic human rights and dignity of every single individual human being - no matter what. We expect our surrogates - those we've put in charge of the defense of our nation - to make it possible for their subordinates to act that way.

"I don't know where the buck stops on this matter, but it doesn't stop with corporals or sergeants. Someone who had the authority and the knowledge to stop what was going on needs to be held responsible as well, or we as a nation will lose not only the respect of the world but a huge chunk of our self-respect."

--Liz O'Connor, "The Long Island Catholic" May 12, 2004
Excerpted and reprinted with permission

On the similarities of Judaism and Islam

"Today, of course, the long discord between Israel and Palestine has acquired harsh religious overtones. Yet the fact remains that this is a battle for real estate, not a war between two faiths. Islam and Judaism revere the same prophetic lineage, back to Abraham, and no amount of bullets or barbed wire can change that.... the two religions share similar dietary laws, including ritual slaughter and a prohibition on pork. Joining forces at Dartmouth this fall, the first kosher/hallal dining hall is scheduled to open its doors this autumn. That isn't all: they're already planning a joint Thanksgiving dinner, with birds dressed by a rabbi and an imam. If the American Pilgrims were watching now, they'd be rubbing their eyes with amazement. And, because they came here fleeing religious persecution, they might also understand."

--Michael Wolfe, "I.C.L.I. News" May 2004

TV WORTH WATCHING THIS SUMMER:

"A THIEF OF TIME"--AN AMERICAN MYSTERY! SPECIAL

This film is the third in a series of stories based on the best-selling Navajo police thrillers by Tony Hillerman. Robert Redford, a longtime fan of Hillerman's writing, is its executive producer, as he was with the earlier Hillerman films "Skinwalkers" and "Coyote Waits." Chris Eyre, director of the first Native American feature film, the critically-acclaimed "Smoke Signals" directs "A Thief of Time," as he did "Skinwalkers." Wes Studi returns as the "Legendary Lieutenant" Joe Leaphorn, as does Adam Beach as the young Jim Chee.

Leaphorn and Chee begin working on seemingly unrelated cases involving a missing backhoe and a missing archeologist but soon find themselves probing illegal excavations of prehistoric Anastasi sites and murdered relic hunters. They also find themselves once again enmeshed in conflicts between the traditional Navajo religion practiced by Chee, an aspiring medicine man, and the skeptical, scientifically-inclined Leaphorn: as is nicely illustrated when Chee's purification in a sweat lodge is interrupted by a cell phone call.

To be a cop, Leaphorn insists, Chee must get over his traditional fear of corpses and crime scenes. To solve a mystery, the Lieutenant learns, he must show respect for beliefs of witnesses that he does not share himself. With his beloved wife Emma (Sheila Tousey) using both traditional and Western medicine to fight illness, he must also learn to tolerate practices he does not understand.

Leaphorn and Chee also must find a way to work with the flawed vessels of other faiths, including Christian evangelist Slick Nakai (Graham Greene) who is not above receiving illegally-obtained artifacts in the offering plate, and a Mormon rancher (Peter Fonda) who sleeps with his housekeeper (who is played by the talented Tatoo Cardinale) and trades in hot pots. They also must navigate the cut-throat academic rivalries of three archeologists, and Leaphorn must revisit a fateful decision he made as a young officer to let a mentally-handicapped wild-child boy who unintentionally killed his sister escape to live in the wilderness, rather than bring him in for trial -- and break his grieving father's heart.

"A Thief of Time" airs on Sunday, July 11, at 9 p.m. on WNET/13 and on Tuesday, July 29, at 8 p.m. on WLIW/21.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Only two of the graduates of our first four Women at the Well classes (the support groups we offer as part of EAC's jail-diversion program) have been subsequently incarcerated, which is a remarkably low rate of recidivism. Congratulations to the Women at the Well graduates, and to the Rev. Lillian Frier Webb & the Rev. Nancy Shaffer and EAC!
  
  
• Recently we fed 625 children in a single month, just at our Hempstead Emergency Food Center. Please keep the donations coming over the summer! And come to our Fall Convocation on Sept. 25 to learn more about why so many Long Islanders are hungry - and what we can do about it.
  
  
• The Rev. Alison Cornish, the executive director of the LI Multi-Faith Forum, was ordained as a Unitarian Universalist clergywoman in June.
  
  
• The Rev. Lorraine DeArmitt, the member of our Eastern Area Steering Committee who chairs this year's Fall Convocation, was ordained as an elder in full connection (i.e., granted tenure) in the United Methodist Church this month. She also recently gave the opening prayer at the annual meeting of the Long Island Council of Churches. And the Southold Land Trust, an idea she presented at our Fall Convocation 2002, has been incorporated under her leadership.
  
  
• Catholic Charities recently received a "smart growth" award from Vision Long Island for building affordable housing for senior citizens that encourages residents to walk and use public transportation and concentrates housing construction so as to preserve open space.
  
  
• Casa Communal de Farmingdale/Farmingdale Community House on South Front Street offers both English classes to recent immigrants and seeks to introduce Long Islanders to their new neighbors. It is funded by the Diocese of Rockville Centre and operated by Farmingdale Citizens for Viable Solutions. This would be a great place to take your youth group or confirmation class!
  
  
• You can cross-link your church or denomination's Web site with ours, to encourage visitors to view both sites. Just send the URL (which will be something like www.1st church.org) to our Website coordinator, Carolyn Moon, cjmoon@optonline.net. Our Website is www.ncccusa.org/ecmin/licc.

OFFERED/NEEDED

Offered:

Parsonage for rent

St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church in Levitown has a three-bedroom house they would like to rent to a clergyperson or staff member of a not-for-profit for $1800 a month. Contact the Rev. Kevin Barry at 516-731-1039.

An Evening of Middle Eastern Music

Farmingdale United Methodist Church is presenting "Singing in Bagdad," an evening of music, pictures, and stories about the Arab world by two Americans, Cameron and Kristina, who have learned how to perform popular Arabic songs and have traveled extensively in the Arab world. They are now touring the United States, hoping to build greater understanding between Americans and Arabs. The program is Friday, August 20, 7-9 p.m. at 407 Main Street in Farmindale. There is no admission charge, but a free-will offering will be received. For further information about Cameron & Kristina, visit www.musicalmissions.com. For directions, call 516-249-0866.

Scholarships

United Way of Long Island is offering three types of scholarships to Long Island youth:

D.R.E.A.M.S. for Youth Enrichment Scholarship ($100 - $2,500) for teens in 7th - 12th grades

Scholarships can be used for music, singing, dance, or art lessons, computer graphics, acting or photography--just use your imagination. Funds may be used for enrollment fees, instruments, and/or supplies. Candidates must demonstrate financial need and commitment to community service.

D.R.E.A.M.S. for Youth Academic Scholarship ($500-$5,000) for high school seniors

This scholarship is for those individuals who have risen above hardship or physical limitation and demonstrate a capacity to achieve. Aimed at students who need financial assistance to advance their education, awards are for post-secondary education (college, vocational school, apprenticeships, etc.) and may be available for multiple years. Candidates should be of outstanding character, have a long-term history of community service, be able to show success in overcoming difficulties, and demonstrate financial need.

D.R.E.A.M.S. for Youth Community Service Grants ($500-$5000)

These are available to United Way of Long Island youth-serving agencies and their collaborative partners. Proposals will be accepted from agencies interested in mentoring youth in community projects.

For more information on D.R.E.A.M.S. for Youth, contact Myra Breitburg at 631-941-3721 or e-mail at mbreitburg@unitedwayli.org.

Telescopes

The Rev. Nancy Schaffer, one of the LICC's chaplains at the Nassau County jail and co-leader of our Women at the Well project, has donated three telescopes to the LICC that we would like to give to children whose parents cannot afford to buy them or to a school, Scout troop, or other not-for-profit that can use them. One is a Mead refractor and two are Galileo reflector telescopes, one of them in an unopened box. All have tripods and are in excellent condition. Contact Alric Kennedy at 516-565-0290 if you are interested.

Help reducing electric bills

LIPA is offering free energy-saving light bulbs, energy-efficient refrigerators, and water heater insulating blankets to qualifying customers through its REAP program. Those with electric heat or central air conditioning may receive additional assistance.
You must be a LIPA electricity customer, live in a one-family to four-family dwelling, and meet the maximum income guidelines, which range from $35,850 for singles to $67,600 for a family of eight.
Call 1-800-263-6786 for further information.

Family Leadership Training

The Diocese of Rockville Centre is offering a two-day training event on leading ministries with families, July 26-27, at the Holiday Inn in Centerreach, presented by Steve Beirne and Paula D'Albor Stuckart. Carol Cella, who serves on the LICC's Pastoral Care Committee, recommends this training. To register or get further info, call Corinne Lok or Linda Reich at 516-678-5800.

New videos on VHS in the LICC Lending Library in Hempstead:

"A Thief of Time"- an American Mystery film of Tony Hillerman's novel

"Celibacy" - the recent HBO documentary

"Assertive Communication Skills" by Carol Price

New Audio Books on Cassette in the LICC Lending Library:

"Original Prayer: Teachings and Meditation on the Aramaic Words of Jesus" by Neil Douglas Klotz,

"Voices of Wisdom Anthology"

"The Power of the Mind to Heal" by Joan Boysenko

"Your Sacred Quest" by Joan Boysenko

"Relationship Strategies" by Tony Alessandra,

"Unlimited Power" by Anthony Robbins

"The Confident Woman" by Marjorie Hansen Shaevitz

"The Psychology of Achievement" by Brian Tracy

Do you have any books on CD to lend or trade? If so, our Executive Director might like them!

Needed:

Nestle's Good Start infant formula

Do you have any in your cupboard or local food pantry? The Riverhead Family Development Center is seeking this for one of their clients. If you have any to donate, please drop it off at our Riverhead office (404 Osborne, at Lincoln Ave. in Polish Town) or contact Brenda Simmons at RFDC (631-369-6076/bsimmons@eoc-suffolk.com).

Food Donations

Donations of corn, soup, peanut butter, and jelly are needed at our Riverhead and Hempstead Emergency Food Centers. Volunteers also are needed to pick up food donations and schlep them to either Hempstead or Riverhead. If you can help, please call Hugh Watts at 516-486-2272 or Carolyn Gumbs at 631-727-2210.

Volunteer Driver

An 85-year-old gentleman living in Hicksville needs a volunteer to drive him to Winthrop Hospital in Mineola to receive dialysis treatments. He goes on Mon., Wed, and Fridays from 3pm - 6pm. Any assistance, one-way, roundtrip, once a week, once every other week, would be greatly appreciated. Please contact Debbie Weiss, Volunteer Coordinator for FEGS Long Island at 516-496-7550 ext. 155 or e-mail dweiss@fegs.org.

A Harp

A pastor would like to rent or buy a harp to take up playing it as a hobby (and to get in some rehearsal time for the celestial choir?). A pedal harp (a.k.a. symphonic or orchestral) is her first choice, but she will consider a lever harp, Irish /Celtic harp, or Biblical (a.k.a. King David/ Kinnor) harp. If you have one to rent, loan, or sell cheaply, call her at 631-220-6843.

Camp Volunteers

The Muscular Dystrophy Assn. needs camp volunteers, 17 years or older, at Camp Visions in Spring Valley, NY, from 9 a.m. Friday Aug. 20 through 3 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 26. Contact Jennifer Lister or Jody Morgan at 631-582-7761 or hauppaguedistrict@mdausa.org.

GUEST PREACHERS/ORGANISTS:

Looking for a guest preacher or speaker this summer or fall? Our Executive Director is not available until September, but

• Alric Kennedy, the LICC's Director of Community Resources, does guest speaking and preaching.
• The Rev. Dick Ploth, a member of the LICC Board and the Presbytery of Long Island, is available for guest-preaching and supply-preaching. You can reach him at 631-734-2587 or lyndik@optonline.net.
• Jesse Glick and Sarah Hare from Church World Service, our partners in disaster response, would be glad to preach or speak about the work of CWS. Call 888-297-2767 or email share@churchworldservice.org.
• The Rev. Robert Terry, a semi-retired UCC clergyman, is available locally for guest preaching, supply preaching, and interim pastorates. His wife Sue is a graduate of New Brunswick Seminary and a licensed preacher in the United Church of Christ. You can reach them at gterrys@aol.com or 631-751-1170.
• Dr. Eugene Purvis, a Conference Evangelist for the AME Zion Church and a member of our Public Issues Committee, is available for guest preaching. He can be reached at 516-623-0716.
• Tom Lyons, a member of Mt. Sinai Congregational Church (UCC) who is active in the Heifer Project, would be happy to speak or preach in local churches. He can be contacted a 631-928-4317 or lyonheifer@aol.com.
• Diane Monks, a recent graduate of the New Seminary is available some weekends for guest preaching and is accustomed to speaking to many different denominations. Currently serving as Program Coordinator of the Good Neighbor Interfaith Network in Baldwin, a Robert Woods Johnson Faith in Action program, she is also available to speak to congregations and civic groups about this initiative. You can reach her at 516-826-5859.

Need a substitute organist?

• Tom Tassone, a seminarian at Immaculate Conception in Huntington, is available this summer weekdays and Saturdays to play for mid-week worship services, funerals, memorial services, weddings, and such. You can reach him at luxeterna@msn.com.

JOB OPENINGS

FOOD PANTRY WORKER

The LICC is seeking someone full-time Monday, through Friday, for our Riverhead office. The job requires a driver's license, ability to do paperwork and answer phones occasionally and the ability to lift 60 pounds occasionally. The pay is $9 an hour, plus medical coverage or pension contribution, with paid holidays and vacation. Contact Carolyn Gumbs at 631-727-2210.

DIRECTOR OF MUSIC/ORGANIST NEEDED

Bay Shore United Methodist Church is looking for a Director of Music/Organist. Please contact the church office at 107 East Main Street, Bay Shore, NY 11706, (631 666 7194) if you are interested in the position.

PASTORAL ASSISTANT WANTED

Ordination preferred or equivalent thereof. To provide ministerial assistance, including preaching once a month, and to be responsible for supervision and leadership of the Christian Education Program, including Sunday School and Youth Fellowship, in a growing congregation working in close collaboration with the Minister, the Christian Education Committee, and the Youth Group Leaders. The ideal candidate will have strong communication and organizational skills. Salary is negotiable. Please send resume to: The Community Church of East Williston, East Williston Avenue and High Street, East Williston, New York 11596.

DIRECTOR OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION,

Part-time DCE wanted. To be responsible for supervision and leadership of the Christian Education Program in a growing congregation working in close collaboration with the Minister, Youth Group Leaders and the Christian Education Committee. The ideal candidate will have strong communication and organizational skills. Salary is negotiable. Please send resume to: The Community Church of East Williston, East Williston Avenue and High Street, East Williston, New York 11596.

SOME WAYS THAT BOY SCOUTS WORK WITH CHURCHES:

The Protestant Committee of the Theodore Roosevelt Council was established to provide the proper emphasis on the religious education program in Scouting, which teaches "A Scout is reverent." To accomplish this mission, the committee provides council-wide support to leaders and Protestant Scouts. The committee provides Chaplain support for council camping events and promotes the God and Country religious education program to local units. The God and Country program is recognized and encouraged by the Boy Scouts across America.

THE GOD AND COUNTRY SERIES HAS FOUR UNITS :

• GOD & ME - grades 1,2 & 3: Children will become best friends with Jesus and tell the story of "God & Me" together. They will make games and keep them in a GAMEBOX (God and Me Exploring Box). Theses games will reinforce the Bible lessons and provide opportunities for families to explore God's love together.
• GOD & FAMILY - grades 4 & 5: Let's make a pizza! Children will compare families and pizza, and they will make a pizza as they study how families can grow together in God's love.
• GOD & CHURCH - grades 6,7 & 8: Students will study the life of Jesus, learn about the Bible, and study the important beliefs and practices of the Christian faith.
• GOD & LIFE - grades 9,10,11,12 - This study is based on the life of the Apostle Paul as recorded in Acts 9: 1-31.

These programs are available through P.R.A.Y. (Programs of Religious Activities with Youth). Workbooks are available at the local scout shop.

• ANNUAL PROTESTANT BREAKFAST: The Protestant Committee sponsors an Annual Communion Service & Breakfast. At this event we honor those Protestant Scouts who have earned the religious emblem of his/her faith. It is open to youth & adult Scouters.
• ALL-FAITH RETREAT: In conjunction with the Jewish and Catholic Committees, an All-Faith Retreat is held annually at a Council campsite to provide a weekend of inter-religious activities. Part of this weekend is devoted to reviewing their respective religious educational programs.
• GOD AND ME DAY: A special day for Cub Scouts. This day is set aside to familiarize Cubs and their parents with the God & Me program. Held on a Saturday at a local church, the program is filled with fun activities for all.
• TEN COMMANDMENT HIKE: The annual Ten Commandment Hike is organized by the All-Faith Committee to promote religious tolerance in Boy Scouts. The hike takes place the day after Thanksgiving to encourage scouts to gain knowledge of different religions. Participants hike to ten houses of Worship; at each they hear a brief talk on one of the Ten Commandments.
• SCOUTING MINISTRIES SUNDAY: In most Protestant churches, Boy Scout Sunday is observed on the 2nd Sunday in February. This day is set aside in the church to celebrate the Scouting program. The youth and their leaders are involved in the service. During this service recognition should be given to those involved in Scouting in the church. Scouts who have earned their religious emblems may receive them at this service.
• COMMITTEE MEETINGS: The Protestant Committee on Scouting of the Theodore Roosevelt Council, B.S.A. meetings are usually held the 1st Tuesday of the month at 7:45 PM. Membership is open to all Boy Scout Leaders.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: To learn more about the PCOSTRC, call the council at 516-797-7600, or Bob Graff at 516-826-1329.

The Long Island Council of Churches Fall Convocation 2004

Helping the Hungry on Long Island
Saturday, September 25, 2004, 8:30 to 3:00

I. Defining the Problem: What impact has the last decade of public policy had on the people of L. I.?

Panel discussion including human service agencies, lawmakers.

II. The Struggle: How have local agencies been managing the changing demands for services?

Panel discussion including human service agencies.

III. Changing the Future: Discussion of needed changes in policy; how to advocate and implement needed change.

Place: First Baptist Church, 1018 Northville Turnpike, Riverhead
Cost: $15.00 includes continental breakfast and lunch.
Registration: by September 17
Contact: LICC, 1644 Denton Green, Hempstead, NY 11550 or call at 516.565.0290
For further information call the Rev. Lorraine De Armitt at 631.765.3449

GIVE BLOOD AND SAVE A LIFE

This summer Long Island and the entire Metropolitan area are facing their worst blood shortage ever. Donations of all blood types are desperately needed. Rationing of blood supplies began in area hospitals in April. For more information on how to make a donation or schedule a drive, call Long Island Blood Services at 1-800-933-BLOOD or visit www.nybloodcenter.org.

Long Island Blood Services Community Blood Drives for July:
7/11/2004	St. Ignatius RC. Church	E. Nicholai St.	Hicksville	08:15AM - 01:45PM	Connie Clarke	(516)935-0543
7/11/2004	St. Bernard	3100 Hempstead Tpke.	Levittown	09:00AM - 02:30PM	Ernest Meditz	(516)731-1809
7/11/2004	Bellmore Presbyterian Church	Bellmore Ave & Martin Ave.	Bellmore	10:00AM - 03:30PM	Thelma Gerold	(516)826-1765
7/12/2004	St. Edward Confessor Parish	205 Jackson Ave.	Syosset	03:30PM - 09:00PM	Ann Carron	(516)496-2971
7/12/2004	St. Joseph's Church	39 North Carll Ave.	Babylon	03:30PM - 09:00PM	Sister Kathy	(631)669-4544
7/13/2004	St. John's-Cold Spring Harbor	St. John's Church	Cold Spring Harbor	12:00PM - 05:30PM	Bob Nostrand	(631)692-5665
7/17/2004	First Baptist Church of Riverhead	1018 Northville Tpke.	Riverhead	09:00AM - 02:30PM	Linda Bullock	(631)722-8094
7/18/2004	St. Vincent De Paul	1500 DePaul St.	Elmont	10:00AM - 02:00PM	Frank Ragona	(516)326-6460
7/18/2004	St. Hugh Of Lincoln	1450 New York Avenue	Huntington Station	08:00AM - 01:30PM	Frances Leek	(631)271-8986
7/19/2004	St Johns Lutheran Church	47 Winthrop Street	Williston Park	03:30PM - 09:00PM	Don Wicks	(516)931-4945
7/20/2004	Parish Of The Holy Cross	95 Old Nichols Rd.	Nesconset	02:45PM - 08:15PM	Liz Lynch	(631)851-6255
7/23/2004	St. Frances de Chantal	1309 Wantagh Ave	Wantagh	02:45PM - 08:15PM	Robert DeMarco	(516)679-9898
7/24/2004	Heritage Baptist Church	1380 Fifth Ave.	Bay Shore	10:00AM - 02:00PM	Edwin Alicea	(631)242-5564
7/24/2004	Huntington Assembly of God Comm. Fair	1700 New York Ave.	Huntington Station	10:00AM - 02:00PM	Irene Dissis	(631)335-6327
7/25/2004	St. Anthony's Church	110 Anchor Avenue	Oceanside	08:30AM - 02:00PM	Peter Caraciolo	(516)536-8329
7/25/2004	St. Sylvester	Ohio Ave.	Medford	08:00AM - 01:30PM	Frederick C. Lupfer	(631)345-0708
7/25/2004	St. Elizabeth Ann Seton	800 Portion Rd.	Lake Ronkonkoma	09:00AM - 02:30PM	Christine Harvey	(631)737-4416
7/26/2004	St. Anne	K OF C # 4757	Brentwood	02:30PM - 08:00PM	Barbara Troxler	(631)273-3375
7/26/2004	St. Margaret Of Scotland	81 College Rd.	Selden	03:00PM - 08:30PM	Barbara Mahon	(631)732-3131
7/27/2004	Smithtown United Methodist	230 Middle Country Rd.	Smithtown	03:00PM - 08:30PM	Julie Gallo	(631)265-1975
7/29/2004	St. John The Baptist Church	North Country Rd.	Wading River	03:15PM - 08:45PM	Alice Steinbrecher	(631)929-0551
7/31/2004	Hope Missionary Baptist Church	100 Lemon St.	Central Islip	08:30AM - 02:00PM	Virginia Brinn	(631)234-2013

The Long Island Council of Churches is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit. All gifts are deeply appreciated and are tax-deductible.

Tom Goodhue
Executive Director
Long Island Council of Churches
1644 Denton Green
Hempstead, NY 11550
voice: 516-565-0290, ext. 206
fax: 516-565-0291
email: licchemp@aol.com
Web: www.ncccusa.org/ecmin/licc