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| PRELUDE, April 2006 | |||||||||||||||||||
The Long Island Council of Churches' Annual Meeting & Luncheon will be held on Thursday, May 4, 2006, at Temple Beth David in Commack (same place as last year) from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Registration begins at 11:00 AM. This year we will extend and deepen the examination of our Annual Convocation topic, "Faith, Politics, and Advocacy for the Poor," by considering how people of faith can advocate for the poor through the political process while still respecting the boundary between church and State. Please join us. The registration fee is $30 per person. Please send in your reservations by April 15th with your check addressed to: Long Island Council of Churches. Mail to: 1644 Denton Green, Hempstead, NY 11550, Attn: Brenda Morrison. Include your name, the number attending, your address, including zip code, your day-time telephone number, and your e-mail address. Return to topA WORD OR TWO OF THANKS
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| Congregational Church of Manhasset | $1,000 use where needed most | |
| First Congregational Church of Riverhead | $550 use where needed most | |
| Riverhead Building Supply | $1,000 Annual Convocation | |
| Trinity Lutheran Church (Rocky Point) | $650 use where needed most | |
| United Way of Long Island | $1,491 monthly allocation | |
| We also thank the many institutions and individuals who gave less, and the individuals who have not yet given us permission to publish their names. Collectively, all of you are essential to us in sustaining our ministry to serve Long Islanders in need. | ||
Our Nassau office has experienced a surge in requests for prescription assistance. Nassau County’s Department of Social Services is denying requests for prescription assistance by single adults regardless of their circumstances. Although we haven’t been told why this is so, these clients urgently need to fill prescriptions that can cost over $150 each. We have five clients who need prescriptions filled but are uninsured and have no way to pay for them. A gift of $750 would enable us to pay for their much-needed prescriptions.
We will continue to ask if individual donors would be willing to allow us to thank them publicly both in our monthly newsletter and in our Annual Reports. We will not list the amounts given, but we would like very much to acknowledge individual donations as well as institutional gifts. Because of space limitations, we publicly list only donors who give $500 or more during the previous month in our monthly newsletter. However, we would like to list every single donor, large and small, in our Annual Report each year. We will list amounts only for institutional donors.
We are compiling a list of donors for all of 2005 for this year’s Annual Report. As of this printing only four individuals have given us permission to print their names, and several hundred are still outstanding. If you give us permission, we would like to include your name on that list. Please complete and mail in the consent form below and mail it to: Sara Weiss, Director of Development, Long Island Council of Churches, 1644 Denton Green, Hempstead, NY 11550.
| INDIVIDUAL DONOR CONSENT FORM
YES, you may publicly acknowledge any gifts I send to the LICC ________. NO, do not publish my name anywhere in your acknowledgements _______. NAME: _______________________________________________________ ADDRESS: ___________________________________________________ CITY __________________________________ STATE ______ ZIP ______ TELEPHONE # ___________ E-MAIL ADDRESS:_____________________ |
You can contribute to the Long Island Council of Churches using your Visa or MasterCard. Please call the Hempstead office at 516-565-0290 and our staff will assist you.
$45,000-50,000
$20,000-30,000
$15,000-19,999
$10,000-14,999
$5,000-9,999
$1,000-4,999
$500-999
Under $500:
Arvind Vora, the Chairperson of the Long Island Multi-Faith Forum, has encouraged members of the Forum to reflect on how their faith helps to keep them sane in a world that often seems fearful, unbalanced, and crazy. In previous issues of The Prelude Sara Weiss has offered a Jewish perspective and Suzanne Stein has given a Buddhist one. This month, Marian Hubbard, tells how Christian fellowship — and an attitude of gratitude — helped her cope with her husband’s Alzheimer’s disease:
“Not everyone makes it.”Return to topThe leader of my Alzheimer’s support group was speaking to me privately. A volunteer who is also a social worker, she works mostly with seniors and their families. It was something I had not serious considered over nearly seven years of care giving. My husband Bob’s “early stage” dementia was diagnosed in 1996. I knew that there was no time frame for his decline, and there was no “cure”. It was his faith as well as mine that got us through.
My prayer was that I might be able to get him through it as comfortably as possible and I survive, and I prayed with that expectation. I have a relationship with God that has deepened and broadened over the years. I’m not much for formal prayer, but I say “Thank you, Lord” a lot.
I’ve learned to understand 1 Thessalonians 5:18: “Give thanks in all circumstances; this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” It is not at all the same thing as being thankful for something.
I’m thankful that Bob’s love of walking in the woods helped us stay relatively active; and his joy in worshiping on Sundays let us worship together until a few months before his death in 2003. I’m thankful for the members of my church family who kept relationships close to normal by ignoring Bob’s memory lapses and by sitting with him after worship while I took care of church business nearby during coffee hour. I’m thankful for a wonderful Alzheimer’s support group, for a great day-care center, and for the neighbor’s teenage daughter who sat with him when I went out for a monthly evening meeting. I’m thankful that he had to spend only his last six weeks in a nursing home.
I’m also thankful that a few month’s after Bob’s death, I was able to help an elderly friend through the emotional turmoil he faced, as a caregiver who did not know how to ask for help himself, when he had to put his wife in a nursing home. People are God’s arms and legs, and often his mouth. It was through the things that people did and said that I was able to “make it”.
--Marian Hubbard
Ecumenical Disaster Response to Hurricane Katrina
"One night in our back parking lot, I watched Methodist men pumping charismatic gas into Baptist chainsaws, getting ready for the next day of work cutting down Pentecostal trees - that's the way the church ought to be working."-- the Rev. Charles Burchett, First Baptist Church in Kirbyville, Texas
Disaster News Network Feb. 17, 2005
The Ecumenical Impact of Vatican II
“If I had predicted in the fifties what was descriptively true of the shift in Catholic-Protestant attitudes even in the seventies, I would have been dismissed as exhibit A of wishful thinking.”--Robert McAfee Brown, Reflections over the Long Haul: A Memoir
Westminster John Knox Press, 2005
Why Young People Are Drawn to Taize Worship
“Taize has one goal in mind and this is the reconciliation of all things. Not some things, not some people, but all things. I pray that my life and my ministry will always be a reflection of that reconciliation, as I constantly reflect on Brother Roger’s famous words, ‘God is united to all human beings without exception.’”--Stephen Fife, United Methodist Reporter January 27, 2006
How To Remember the Shoah
The Holocaust Center in Glen Cove recently changed its name to the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County. Howard Maier, who chairs their board, explains that, “We realized that the most valid memorial is not merely to remember, but to try to avoid a reoccurrence of this enormous tragedy by teaching equality, compassion, and tolerance, for had these been present, this tragedy would not have happened.”
Self-Righteousness and Self-Awareness
“Anyone who does not acknowledge the darkness in his nature will succumb to it. He will not take precautions against its prompting, nor recognize it when it calls.”--Philip Caputo, Acts of Faith, Alfred A. Knopf, 2005
“Our worst behavior can occur at the very moment we mistakenly believe we are performing our best service.”--James A. Cress, Ministry February 2006
Interfaith Dialogue
“We are called to show utter commitment to the God who is revealed in Jesus and to all those to whom his invitation is addressed. We are not called to win competitions or arguments in favour of ‘our product’ in some religious market-place.“Sometimes when we look at our neighbours of other traditions, it can be as if we see in their eyes a reflection of what we see; they do not have the words we have, but something is deeply recognizable. When we face radically different notices, strange and complex accounts of a perspective not our own, our perspective must be not, 'How do we convict them of error? How do we win the competition of ideas?' but 'What do they actually see? And can what they see be a part of the world that I see?'”
-- Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury, World Council of Churches 9th Assembly, February 2006
Creation & Evolution
“There is no doubt in our minds that science has taught us evolution is more than a plausible thesis. It’s the truth, as science understands it now. Of course, evolution is still described by scientists as a theory, but it’s the most plausible scientific theory we have to date. . . . however life emerged and developed, it remains a sacred creation of God. . . .”--Rabbi Marc Gellman & Msgr. Tom Hartman (a.k.a., the God Squad)
Newsday Feb. 25, 2006
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DID YOU KNOW?
- According to a recent survey, 90% of Long Islanders say they support affordable/workforce/Next-Generation housing, but only 55% want to see it built in their neighborhood.
- According to the U.S. Bureau of the Census, Long Island lost 65,000 young adults (25-45 years old) between 2000 and 2005. For some thoughts from our Executive Director on this topic, see his February 2006 Prelude column at www.ncccusa.org/ecmin/licc. For information on Next Generation housing and help finding affordable housing on Long Island, visit nextgeneration.com.
- The Long Island Housing Partnership, of which the LICC is an active member, recently entered into an agreement with the Community Land Trust of Southhold (which received a boost from our Annual Convocation focused on the Island’s housing crisis) to help the Land Trust develop forever-affordable housing in Greenport. The Land Trust has been shepherded by the Rev. Lynda Clement, vice-president of the LICC, and by the Rev. Lorraine DeArmitt, a member of our Eastern Area Steering Committee.
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Stopping genocide in DARFUR
Thanks to the many Americans who have contacted their representatives to urge the U.S. to stop the slaughter of innocent people in Sudan, the U.S. House of Representatives passed an amendment providing $50 million to immediately bolster the peacekeeping mission to stop genocide in Darfur. The amendment passed 213-208. To see how your Representative voted, visit http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2006/roll046.xml. A key member of the House expressed his gratitude for people of faith, saying, "The tremendous grassroots advocacy (by people of faith) helped make possible this victory for the people of Darfur."
The LICC generally does not take positions on foreign policy issues, but our Board decided that the ongoing genocide in the Sudan is an evil to which we all need to respond. There will be a massive rally in Washington DC on Sunday, April 30 under the auspices of A Million Voices for Darfur. You can learn more about the campaign at http://action.ajws.org/campaign/millionvoices. The American Jewish Committee would be glad to send copies to your Senators and Congressional representative of your postcards asking President Bush to take stronger action in Darfur by supporting a multi-national peacekeeping force in the region with a mandate to protect civilians. The postcards will be delivered to the President at the rally in Washington DC on April 30th. I would be glad to send you postcards if you let me know how many you need, or contact Ellen Israelson at israelsone@ajc.org or 516-942-2651. Resources for Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Bahai and Unitarian Universalist worship are available from the Religious Action Network at www.africaaction.org. Further information is available at savedarfur.org.
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DARFUR AWARENESS DAY on April 3
Suffolk County Community College will host a Darfur Awareness Day from 9:30 to 1:30 on Monday, April 3, in the Sagtikos Building on the Brentwood Campus of SCCC. The keynote speaker will be Suliman Giddo of the Darfur Peace and Development Organization. Congressman Steve Israel will give a briefing to students on the current status of U.S. action to stop genocide in Sudan. There will also be an art exhibit in conjunction with the program, a documentary film, a press conference, and opportunities to express your opinions as part of a letter-writing campaign.
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OFFERED/NEEDED
Offered:
- A Speaker on Next Generation housing:
- Lisa Strahs-Lorenc from the Long Island Works Coalition would be glad to speak about Next Generation housing to congregations, PTAs, clubs, and civic groups anywhere in Nassau or Suffolk. You can reach her at 631-843-4018 or lisa@liworks.org. Information on her organization can be found at www.liworks.org.
- Seminars on Stewardship and Managing Money:
- This month the LICC is doing a seminar at Community Presbyterian Church in Malverne that is part of a series Pastor Fritz Nelson has planned to address a variety of stewardship, personal finance, and personal choice questions. We would be glad to be part of such ongoing education programs. The LICC wants to help local congregations to encourage parishioners to be good stewards of their financial resources. Our presentations usually run an hour to 90 minutes, and we will tailor it to the needs of your audience. We will arrange speakers, educational materials, and other freebies. Thanks to grants from Astoria Federal Savings, Bank of America, Bank of New York, Citibank, Dime Savings Bank (Washington Mutual), Greenpoint Bank Foundation, JPMorgan Chase, and Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, we can provide this program without charge. All you need to supply is the location and refreshments. If you would like to have such a seminar, call 516-565-0290, ext. 206, fax 516-565-0291, or e-mail licchemp@aol.com.
Here are some topics that our personal finance seminars are ready to address:
- How to build savings and assets.
- How to reduce expenses on things you think are essential.
- How to convert a loan you already have into a better deal.
- What to do if you are afraid you may default on a loan.
- Do rising taxes, energy costs, and such mean that you should consider a “reverse mortgage”?
- How to talk with your kids (or your parents) about how they manage their money.
And if you are free on Thursday, April 6, from 7:30 to 9:00 PM, you might want to come to Community Presbyterian Church in Malverne (12-24 Notthingham Road).- Free Book on Race Relations:
- Multiple copies of “And don’t call me a racist!” A Treasury of Quotations on the Past, Present, and Future of the Color Line in America, which was distributed at our Blessed Community gathering at Malloy College on Martin Luther King Day, is available from www.Ellamazel.org.
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JESUS ALIVE CONCERT on April 1
Islip Presbyterian Church is hosting a Jesus Alive Anniversary Celebration Concert on Saturday, April 1, at 6:30 p.m. The Spirit Lifters, Karli Bonne, and Night Song will perform. A free will offering will be received and non-perishable food will be collected to feed the hungry.
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Fair Housing Accessibility Training May 3
Long Island Housing Services is offering free Fair Housing Accessibility Training on May 3. Continental breakfast, 1st class trainers, instructional materials and lunch are offered at no charge. The program runs from 8:30 to 4:30 at the Huntington Hilton in Melville. Training sessions are appropriate for fair housing advocates, all housing, disability and other service providers, real estate agents, community development grantees, attorneys, architects, developers, planners, sponsors of housing, fair housing advocates and government officials. The course is HUD-approved and has been accredited by the American Institute of Architects. Approval for up to 4 credit hours of Continuing Legal Education credits for attorneys is pending with the New York State CLE Board. Instruction will serve beginners and advanced practitioners on general and specific fair housing and disability issues; the second (1/2 day) session will provide more industry-specific technical instruction. For more information or to register visit www.fairhousingfirst.org/calendar.asp. Although they offer this training and meals without charge, early registration is recommended as space is limited
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“The Middle Passage” in Melville on Sunday afternoon, May 21
St. Elizabeth Church in Melville will host this dramatization of the slave experience in America, hosted by the Huntington Interfaith Coalition for Affordable Housing Now.
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Guest preachers
- Our Executive Director, the Rev. Tom Goodhue, has some weekends available this summer and fall for guest preaching and is available some dates this spring for weekday speaking engagements. You can reach him at tomgoodhue@optonline.net or 516-565-0290, ext. 206.
- Alric Kennedy, our Director of Community Resources, also does guest speaking and preaching. You can reach him at 516-565-0290, ext. 204, or alrickennedy@optonline.net.
- Our chaplain Nancy Schaffer, ordained in the United Church of Christ, is available for guest preaching and would be glad to speak to church groups at other times about our Women at the Well project that helps women avoid incarceration. She can be reached at 631-586-9667.
- The Rev. Dick Ploth, a member of the LICC Board and the Presbytery of Long Island, is available for guest-preaching, supply-preaching, and interim pastorates. You can reach him at 631-734-2587 or lyndik@optonline.net.
- Kolya Braun-Greiner, a graduate of Union Theological Seminary, is available as a guest-preacher. She is a former executive staff of Women's Division (headquarters of United Methodist Women) with a focus on issues of women and children in poverty, farmworkers, and child labor. Currently a nonviolence trainer with the Fellowship of Reconciliation's program "Creating a Culture of Peace," she can be reached at braun.greiner@netzero.net or 516-379-2568.
- The Rev. Kathryn Hinds, Executive Minister of Long Island United Campus Ministry, is available for guest preaching and would be happy to speak with church groups about campus ministry. She can be reached at kazybh@aol.com,
- Sue Terry is a graduate of New Brunswick Seminary and is a licensed preacher in the United Church of Christ (and can celebrate communion in Suffolk County). She can be reached at gterrys@aol.com or 631-751-1170.
- Jesse Glick and Kathy Burton 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 jglick@churchworldservice.org.
- Tom Lyons, a member of Mt. Sinai Congregational Church (UCC) and the LICC’s Public Issues Committee who is active in the Heifer Project, would be happy to speak or preach in local churches. He can be reached a 631-928-4317 or lyonheifer@aol.com.
- The Rev. Randall Broger, a member of the Presbytery of Long Island who trained in interim ministry at Princeton Seminary, is available for guest preaching, supply preaching, and interim pastorates. You can reach him at randallb1@usa.net or 631-589-2923.
- The Rev. Elsa Callender, a United Church of Christ clergywoman, is available for guest and supply preaching. You can reach her at 917-836-8524.
- 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.
- Lisa Strahs-Lorenc from the Long Island Works Coalition would be glad to speak about Next Generation housing to congregations, PTAs, clubs, and civic groups anywhere in Nassau or Suffolk. She calls her talk “Next Generation Workforce + Next Generation Housing = Long Island’s Success”. You can reach her at 631-843-4018 or lisa@liworks.org. Information on her organization can be found at www.liworks.org.
- The Rev. Gary Gerth, a retired pastor living in Wantagh, is available for guest preaching. You can reach him at 516-785-8013.
- The Rev. Pat Sealy, a graduate of New Brunswick Theological Seminary who is ordained in the Elim International Church, is available for guest preaching. You can reach her at patsealy@optonline.net or manna0504@optonline.net.
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JOB OPENING: ORGANIST SOUGHT
Organist/Music Director for First Presbyterian Church of Southold, a program oriented Congregation on the North Fork. Experience necessary. Send resume to Music Director Search Committee, P. O. Box 1495 Southold, New York 11971
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Give the gift of life:
COMMUNITY BLOOD DRIVES IN APRIL
- 4/2/06 Centerport Methodist Church, 97 Little Neck Rd., 9:00-2:30
- 4/10/06 St. Paul's United Methodist, 270 Main St., Northport, 3:15-8:45
- 4/12/06 Trinity Lutheran Church, Islip, 4:00-9:30
- 4/14/06 St. James Episcopal Church, 490 N. Country Rd, 3:00-8:30
- 4/24/06 First Presbyterian Church, 79 E. Main St., Babylon, 3:30-9:00
- 4/29/06 Grace Chapel, 61 Overton St., Sayville, 9:00-2:30
- 4/30/06 Lake Success Ismaili Center, 280 Community Drive, 10:00-3:30
These dates are subject to change. FOR MORE INFORMATION, to confirm an appointment or TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT, PLEASE CALL 1-800-933-BLOOD (2566). For travel and medical questions about donating blood, call 1-800-688-0900.
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The Long Island Council of Churches is a 501(c)3 charitable organization. The Long Island Council of Churches unites diverse Christians to work together in ministry with the poor and to promote interfaith understanding. All donations are tax-deductible and much appreciated.
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
