.::GUEST PREACHERS::.

NEED A GUEST PREACHER? WHAT SHOULD YOU PAY?

GUEST PREACHERS

Our Executive Director, the Rev. Tom Goodhue, is available some Sundays this winter for guest preaching. You can reach him at tomgoodhue@optonline.net or 516-565-0290, ext. 206.
LICC chaplain Nancy Schaffer, who is ordained in the United Church of Christ, is available for guest preaching. Call 631-586-9667.
The Rev. Lawrence W. Swensen, the other LICC's chaplain, also is available for guest preaching. You can reach him at 516-794-4505.
Wally Merna, the manager of our Freeport food pantry, would be happy to speak to churches, service clubs or other community organizations. You can reach him at 516-458-1360 or chaplainwally@gmail.com.
Ven. Timothy Issai Denton, our Finance Director, is available occasionally to speak about the ministry of the LICC. You can reach him at licc@optonline.net.
The Rev. Marianne K. Tomecek, the new Executive Director of Long Island Campus Ministry and the preacher at our 2011 Easter Sunrise Service, is ordained in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. She is available to preach and celebrate communtion in English and Spanish in Nassau and western Suffolk Counties. You can reach her at 516-425-7094, or mktomecek@aol.com.
The Rev. Dr. Penny Gadzini, a pastoral counselor in Babylon who is ordained in the United Methodist Church, is available for guest-preaching. You can reach her at (917)287-0583.
The Rev. Dwight Lee Wolter, pastor of Patchogue Congregational Church, has developed a program that sets the poetry of the mystic, Sufi Hafiz to music, and he is willing to share this event with others in Suffolk or Nassau Counties. The program runs a little over an hour. It is very positive and upbeat, and illustrates ecumenical and interfaith dialogue as well as secular considerations of the divine aspects of the simple and yet profound statement that God Is Love. A discussion time is available. A modest honorarium is requested. You can reach him at pastor@churchonmainstreet.org or 631- 475-1235.
Pastor John Dornheim is the Protestant Chaplain at C. W. Post/LIU. Ordained in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, he is available holidays, vacations, and summers to preach at congregations near the Post campus (East from the Nassau/Queens border, North of Old Country Road, and West of Elwood Road). You can reach him at 516-299-2096.
The Rev. Kitt Von Braunsberg, who is ordained in the United Church of Christ and is a chaplain at Nassau University Medical Center, is available for guest preaching in Nassau & Suffolk. You can reach her at 516-801-4275.
Pastor Emilce Erato is available for guest preaching. She is ordained to ministry of Word and Sacrament in the ELCA and can preach or celebrate communion in Spanish as well as English. You can reach her at 516-572-6288.
The Rev. Elmer Hardy, Jr. is available for guest-preaching and supply preaching anywhere in our region. You can reach him at 631-828-6417 or pastorelmer@optonline.net.
Bob MacMillan, an attorney who founded the Long Island Housing Partnership, chaired the Panama Canal Commission, and served as a trustee of the American Medical Association, is available for guest speaking on the future of healthcare and other topics. He also has preached on Laity Sunday about his ministry as a layperson. You can read more about him at www.bobmcmillan.net and you can reach him at 516-610-1000.
Sister Camille D'Arienzo, RSM, who has done extensive prison ministry with death-row inmates, is available for speaking and preaching. You can reach her at cherilife@aol.com or 718-366-0966.
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 reached at 631-928-4317 or lyonheifer@aol.com.
Imam Khalid Lateef is available for guest preaching and lecturing on Islam. You can reach him at 631-586-0875 (h), or kslateef@aol.com.
Rabbi Paul Kushner, who recently retired from a Reform synagogue in Bellmore and who has extensive interfaith experience, is available for guest preaching in Nassau and Western Suffolk. You can reach him at 516-783-6448.
Rabbi Moses Birnbaum of the Jewish Center in Kew Gardens Hills is the former interreligious chair for the Long Island Chapter of the American Jewish Committee and a past president of the LI Board of Rabbis. He would be glad to guest-preach in churches and other houses of worship. You can reach him at 718-263-6500, 516-622-6385, 516-768-6665, or ramab18@yahoo.com.
Rabbi Barry Dov Schwartz, a campus minister at Adelphi University, is available for guest preaching and speaking engagements within a half-hour drive from Garden City. He can be contacted at bds48@aol.com.
Rev. Gary Taylor, pastor of the Church of Jesus Tabernacle in Elmont, is available for guest preaching in Nassau or Queens. You can reach him at pastorgarytaylor@aol.com or 516-225-2433.
Sue Terry, a graduate of New Brunswick Seminary and a licensed preacher in the United Church of Christ who can celebrate communion in Suffolk, can be reached at gterrys@aol.com or 631-751-1170.
The Rev. Max B. Surjadinata, who has served UCC congregations on Long Island and now lives in Manhattan, would be glad to speak about his experiences in Israel and Palestine with the Ecumenical Accompaniment Program of the World Council of Churches. He can be reached at 212-222-1899, srjdnt@aol.com, or mbsur@yahoo.com.
Stephen Langdon, an Advanced Lay Speaker in the United Methodist Church, is available for guest-preaching in Nassau. You can reach him at 516-507-0935.
The Rev Juanita Hilsenbeck, who recently has retired as pastor of Half Hollow Community Church in Dix Hills, is available for guest preaching. You can reach her at revjuanita@aol.com or 516-541-5624.
Caren Heacock, Pastoral Care Assistant at Mattituck Presbyterian Church, is available for guest preaching on the North Fork and pinch-hitting for Protestant funerals. You can reach her at 631-298-4145.
Alex Thomas, campus staff worker for Intervarsity Christian Fellowship at Nassau Community College, is available to speak at churches. You can reach him at 516-606-8267.
Jainnie Hackman, campus staff worker for Intervarsity Christian Fellowship at Hofstra University, is available to speak to local congregations concerning college ministry, Bible teaching or leadership development. She has spoken at various colleges, local churches and events specifically for women. She can be reached at jainniehackman@gmail.com or hofstraivcf@gmail.com or 516-509-2397.
The Rev. Angela Cesa, an ordained Interfaith Minister and recent seminary graduate. She is available for preaching in Nassau. You can reach her at angelacesa1@gmail.com or 516-739-2588.
Ann McPartlin from St. Mark's Episcopal Church in North Bellmore, would be glad to speak about their community garden, which has donated more than a ton of produce to the LICC's emergency food pantry in Freeport this year. You can reach her at anniemcp@verizon.net or 516-546-0002.
Susan Lingenfelter from Long Island Blood Services, would be glad to speak about donating blood in congregations. You can reach her at 516-478-5026 or slingenfelter@nybloodcenter.org
Representatives from the Nassau District Attorney's Office would be glad to speak anywhere in Nassau County about almost any issue of public safety and community concern - and would be glad to hear what issues the District Attorney's Office should be addressing. Contact Arianne Reyer at 516-571-1706.
Joel Usher is available for guest speaking about his group Love146, which protects children from sex slavery and assists victims. He is happy to speak to eithr large or small gatherings, from 10 minutes to two hours. You can reach him at 516-238-2402 or usher.joel@gmail.com
The Rev. David L. Tucker, a retired United Church of Christ pastor who lives in Mneola, is available for pulpit supply and interim work. You can reach him at 516-750-8355 or dltgap@optonline.net.
Darrell W. Pone, MD, a member of the Congregational Church of South Hempstead and author of We've Come This Far By Faith; Dr Pone's Ten Keys to Success is available for guest speaking about overcoming cerebral palsy. You can reach him at 516-647-2477.

SUBSTITUTE ORGANISTS:

Victoria Hedberg Kingwell, a member of the American Guild of Organists who has played for St. Paul AME Zion Church in Quogue, Bell AME Zion Church in Center Moriches, Christ Episcopal Church in Sag Harbor and the United Methodist Churches in Center Moriches and Westhampton Beach, is available to substitute from Patchogue to Hampton Bays. She is comfortable with a wide variety of Protestant wordship styles, has most of the major denominations' hymnals, can sight-read well. She also is available on Saturdays until May, and on Thursdays and Fridays. You can reach her at 516-527-1008 (cell) or 631-399-1435 (home) or myosotis51@aol.com.
Daniel Berman is a professional pianist and organist who has over 25 years experience performing religious services of many denominations, including Catholic, Unitarian, Unity, Christian Science, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Methodist, and Jewish reform. Available to substitute on Saturday evenings or Sunday mornings, he is an expert sight-reader and accompanist who can perform on a moment's notice. Will travel to within half-hour's distance from Baldwin. Call 516-546-1770 or email dan@danielberman.org.

You can also find a listing of substitute organists on the Web site of the Suffolk chapter of the American Guild of Organists: www.suffolkago.org

WHAT SHOULD GUEST PREACHERS & ORGANISTS BE PAID?

People often call the Long Island Council of Churches for help finding a guest preacher or organist, but they also often need help determining what "the going rate" may be. Several years ago we asked Long Island churches what they pay - and what they think should be paid. The going rate is a bit higher now, given the increases in the cost of living.

Some denominations have clear guidelines:

Episcopal parishes are supposed to pay substitute priests $175 per service to preach and celebrate the Eucharist, plus travel expenses; organists get about the same.
The Metro New York Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America recommends that clergy be paid $175 for one service, $200 for two services on the same day, and $225 for three services the same day, plus mileage at the IRS business rate (currently $.51 a mile), and reimbursement of parking fees and tolls. If public transit is used, reimbursement of the fare is expected. Most organists are willing to accept $150, but some ask for $200.
The Presbyteries of Long Island and New York suggest at least $100 to $150 for a single service (depending on the size of the flock) and $175 for two services; organists receive about $125 for a Sunday worship service and $150 for a wedding or funeral.
The United Church of Christ's Metro Association suggests at least $125 for guest preachers.

In other denominations, there are no guidelines but a rough consensus as to which honoraria are insulting and which are generous: Reformed churches, for example, generally pay preachers $150 to $300 and organists $125.

Here are guidelines from the American Guild of Organists:
SUBSTITUTE MUSICIANS

Single service (organist only or director only, no separate rehearsal), $100-$225
Additional services (organist or director only) not requiring additional preparation, $50-$125
Single service (organist-director combination, no separate rehearsal), $150-$275
Additional services (organist-director combination) not requiring additional preparation, $75-$175
Rehearsal fees range from $25-$100/hour, depending on whether the substitute is organist only, director only, or organist-director combination and the preparation required
Mileage of 44.5 cents/mile is charged if visits to church for practice, rehearsal, and service exceed 20 miles per round trip.
The charge for contracting singers/instrumentalists is $15-$35/person hired.

WEDDINGS

Service fees are $100-$350 (service only)
Wedding rehearsal with bridal party is $50-$100/hour.
Additional rehearsals are $30-$50/hour.
Mileage of 44.5 cents/mile is charged if visits to church for practice, rehearsal, and service exceed 20 miles per round trip.
The charge for contracting singers/instrumentalists is $15-$35/person hired.

FUNERALS

Service fees are $100-$225 (service only)
Rehearsals $25-$100/hour, depending on the difficulty of the music and the participation of choirs, soloists, or instrumentalists.
Mileage of 44.5 cents/mile is charged if visits to church for practice, rehearsal, and service exceed 20 miles per round trip.
The charge for contracting singers/instrumentalists is $15-$35/person hired.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU PAY LESS THAN THE "GOING RATE"?

If you are a church that pays less than $125 for a preacher or organist, you may have a hard time finding someone. You may think of yourself as a little congregation that cannot afford much, but it takes just as long to prepare a sermon for you as it does for a larger flock. What can you do if you fear that you cannot afford more?

Take a hard look at how your attendance may be affected by mediocre music or poor preaching. It is penny wise and pound foolish to settle for whomever you can get cheap if folks skip worship when your pastor or organist is away, since the offering usually rises and falls with the number of bodies in the pews.
If you have only $600 to fill six weekends a year, it might be better to pay $150 and do something creative twice a year, rather than try to find six folks who will preach for $100. Invite a certified lay speaker from a neighboring congregation who may welcome an opportunity to preach more often. Instead of a guest preacher, invite your organist or choir director to lead a "sermon in song" reflecting on favorite music. Have a talented, aspiring young pianist play once or twice a year for free instead of a substitute organist.
Occasionally invite a speaker or musician who offers their services gratis in exchange for a chance to promote their favorite mission project and receive a "special offering." If the offering comes to only $17, they will never return, but even poor struggling little congregations often rise to the occasion with an outpouring of generosity.
Think about how you can support a cause near and dear to the heart of an underpaid guest preacher. I know I appreciate it when a congregation collects food for our food pantry, puts something in their church newsletter about the work of the LICC before I get there, encourages people to sign up for The Prelude, seeks volunteers for LICC projects while I'm there, and plugs one of my books. See if you can do likewise for other parsons. If they've written a book, perhaps they might want to autograph copies during coffee hour.
Give whatever gestures of appreciation you can. Make sure there is a glass of water on the pulpit. Ask what parts of the service he or she might like someone from the congregation to lead. After guest preaching recently at Wading River Congregational Church, for example, I was handed a nicely wrapped bouquet of flowers from the altar with a printed note that said:
"These flowers have been in the Wading River Congregational Church. They have heard the hymns that have been sung, the prayers that have been offered, and the sermon that has been preached. Now they come to you, and in their silent way, are telling you of God's love and healing power, and the wish of the members of this church that you be blessed with faith, hope, health, and happiness."
Both this preacher and his wife appreciated the thought - and the flowers.
Send a thank-you note. Hit-and-run preachers usually get little feedback on how the sermon they spent hours peparing was received by your flock. A note of appreciation is both the kind and polite thing to do, but few churches do this. And if somebody is supposed to send a card the next day, the congregation may be less likely to forget to send a check.