.::Prelude, February 2005::.

PRELUDE, February 2005

FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR:

CAN CAPITAL PUNISHMENT BE FIXED?

The Long Island Council of Churches, like nearly all the major Christian denominations, has long opposed capital punishment, a position that pleases most clergy and angers many lay people. While there is certainly an ecumenical consensus on this issue, there is also room to disagree: the Old Testament restricted the imposition of capital punishment but allowed execution in rare circumstances; the Gospels remind us that government often executes innocent people. It has never made any sense to me to kill people to show that killing people is wrong, but you may well disagree, and I'd be glad to hear from you if you do.

Because clergy know that those in the pews often disagree with denominational pronouncements, many pastors avoid preaching about this issue, but it seems to me that people of faith are willing to think anew about the questions that surround retribution. We certainly want to be rid of terrorists, for example, but capital punishment makes many nations reluctant to extradite the accused to the United States and makes family and friends less willing to inform the authorities that a sought-after suspect may be someone they know. Even those who adamantly believe it may be right for the government to take a life for a life are troubled by the mounting evidence that as many as one in three of those on death row are innocent. Even those who believe executions deter crime realize that when the state kills the innocent, the guilty escape punishment altogether, which is not much of a deterrent at all.

The New York Assembly is currently deciding whether to try to fix the parts of our capital punishment law that have been found unconstitutional or to let the death penalty die a quiet death. Personally, I hope they will do the latter. Most New Yorkers now prefer life without parole over the death penalty by a wide margin, 53% to 38%. Since it was reinstated in 1995, the homicide rates have increased significantly in Rochester, where the death penalty has been sought often and decreased in Manhattan, where it never has been sought. At least 117 people on death row have been exonerated by DNA tests and other new evidence that proved them innocent. A capital punishment trial and execution actually costs taxpayers more than imprisoning someone for life, and life without parole allows the state to correct its mistakes. Something like 80% of those whom we have executed in New York were African American. Here, as is the case elsewhere, those on death row are mostly poor people who could not afford a good lawyer. Those accused of murdering white victims in New York, for example, are more than twice as likely to face the death penalty as are those accused of executing black victims. Putting innocent people on death row means that the guilty escape punishment, which makes us less safe. Perhaps this system can be fixed and made more fair and less prone to error, but it certainly cannot be fixed quickly.

Executions promise retribution and revenge but deliver neither. I do not myself find it easy to forgive: if someone killed my wife, I would not want to see him executed years later by lethal injection - I would want to kill him with my own hands. This would hardly bring me "closure," whatever that is, and would certainly not be what she would want or what Jesus would do. We all know that personal vengeance is wrong. Why is bureaucratized retribution any better?

I recently signed a Declaration of Life myself, a notarized statement promoted by my denomination that says if I am ever murdered, I do not want the government to kill my killer. I urge you to do the same - and to tell your elected representative in the Assembly that you have done so.

Shalom/Salaam/Shanti/Pax,
Tom

A DECLARATION OF LIFE

I, the undersigned, being of sound and disposing mind and memory, do hereby in the presence of witnesses make this Declaration of Life,

I believe that the killing of one human being by another is morally wrong.
I believe it is morally wrong for any state or other governmental entity to take the life of a human being for any reason.
I believe that capital punishment is not a deterrent to crime and serves only the purpose of revenge.

THEREFORE, I hereby declare that should I die as a result of a violent crime, I request that the person or persons found guilty of homicide for my killing not be subject to or put in jeopardy of the death penalty under any circumstances, no matter how heinous their crime or how much I may have suffered. The death penalty would only increase my suffering.

I request that the Prosecutor or District Attorney having the jurisdiction of the person or persons alleged to have committed my homicide not file or prosecute an action for capital punishment as a result of my homicide.

I request that this Declaration be made admissible in any trial of any person charged with my homicide, and read and delivered to the jury. I also request the Court to allow this Declaration to be admissible as a statement of the victim at the sentencing of the person or persons charged and convicted of my homicide; and, to pass sentence in accordance with my wishes.

I request that the Governor or other executive officer(s) grant pardon, clemency or take whatever action is necessary to stay and prohibit the carrying out of the execution of any person or persons found guilty of my homicide.

This Declaration is not meant to be, and should not be taken as, a statement that the person or persons who have committed my homicide should go unpunished.

I request that my family and friends take whatever actions are necessary to carry out the intent and purpose of this Declaration; and, I further request them to take no action contrary to this Declaration.

I request that, should I die under the circumstances as set forth in the Declaration and the death penalty is requested, my family, friends and personal representative deliver copies of this Declaration as follows:

to the Prosecutor or District Attorney having jurisdiction over the person or persons charged with my homicide;
to the Attorney representing the person or persons charged with my homicide;
to the judge presiding over the case involving my homicide;
for recording, to the Recorder of the County in which my homicide took place and to the recorder of the County in which the person or persons charged with my homicide are to be tried;
to all newspapers, radio and television stations of general circulation in the County in which my homicide took place and the County in which the person or persons charged with my homicide are to be tried;
and, to any other person, persons or entities my family, friends or personal representative deem appropriate in order to carry out my wishes as set forth herein.

I affirm under the pains and penalties for perjury that the above Declaration of Life is true.

WITNESS

_________________________

_________________________ printed name

DECLARANT

_________________________

printed name

_________________________

Social Security Number

STATE OF ____________________)

COUNTY OF __________________)

Before me, a Notary Public in and for said county and state, personally appeared the Declarant and acknowledged the execution of the foregoing instrument this_______________day of ______________ 20___.

WITNESS my hand and notarial seal.

__________________________

NOTARY PUBLIC

__________________________

Printed Name

My commission expires: ___________________ County of _____________________

Residence:______________________

Please send a copy of this notarized form to: Cherish Life Circle, Convent of Mercy, 273 Willoughby Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11205

DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT - Sara Weiss, Director

Within the next few weeks we will be launching a completely redesigned website. Thanks to a grant from Washington Mutual Bank, we hired an online/website expert to create an elegant, contemporary look and an easily navigable new website. Having examined hundreds of websites in the course of my research, I can confidently state that our new website will be the most beautiful website out there. Please watch future Prelude issues for the launch date.

Special thanks go to the following for their gifts:

Altria Employees Fund $12,500 Riverhead food pantry

Peaceful Dwelling Project $2,500 Multi-Faith Forum

Garden City Community Church $2,000 Emergency Food

Garden City Community Church $2,000 where most needed

1st Presbyterian Church of Southold $1,000 where most needed

1st Presbyterian Church of Freeport $800 Emergency Food

Grace United Methodist Church, VS $750 where most needed

Community Reformed Church, Manhasset $700 where most needed

Congregational Church, South Hemptead $600 where most needed

Congregational Church of Manhasset $500 where needed most

Reformed Church of Locust Valley $500 where most needed

Sayville Congregational Church $500 where most needed

Community Church of East Williston $500 emergency foof

United Way of Long Island $1,475 Monthly Allocation 12/04

We're also grateful to the institutions that gave less, and we thank all the individuals who generously gave so we can help the least fortunate among us. Space limitations preclude printing all their names. If you would like more information on our programs and projects, please visit our website at www.ncccusa.org/ecmin/licc.

Most Urgent Need

As is often the case during the cold weather months, we urgently need funds to provide housing assistance to families who can't pay their mortgage or their rent. Many of the low-income families we serve pay more than 50% of their total earnings for housing, and so this is a chronic and continuing need. $5,000 would allow us to help five households with one month's rent. $10,000 would allow us to help ten households with one month's rent.

Memorial/Tribute Gifts

A great way to remember a loved one, whether deceased or living, is to give a memorial or tribute gift in his/her name. In your letter accompanying such a gift, please tell us who the gift is in memory of or in tribute to, 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.

IDEAS YOU CAN USE:

A Prayer for Immigrants

The Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus are celebrating their 125th Anniversary this year with a reflection on their founder "Mother Cabrini," Frances Xavier Cabrini, who came to America as an immigrant herself "to care for those who had journeyed far from home":

"We ask you to teach us to welcome newcomers to our land and to serve them with the same joy you embodied....
We seek faith, that our trust in God will strengthen us to carry on the works of peace and justice.
We seek hope, that our confidence will shine as a beacon to those who flee to our land in despair.
We seek love, the perfect love which casts out all fear,
That we may welcome strangers in our land with true peace and generosity of spirit...."

Take Your Pastor To Lunch Month

Few aspects of a pastor's work are more important than regularly visiting his or her flock, but few things are more difficult in the modern world than finding anyone at home. The Rev. Mark Bigelow of the Congregational Church of Huntington has gracefully encouraged his members to help him keep in touch. The church newsletter proclaimed an Official "Take Your Pastor to Lunch" Month:

"Is this another of those Hallmark created holidays designed to sell more cards? No, this is the first Pastor Mark created holiday designed to get him out of his office more to have fun conversations and good lunches. Pastor Mark is feeling trapped by too much administrative work that keeps him confined to the desk. He needs your help. Call up and invite him to lunch., or breakfast, or coffee - anything to keep him out of his office! Seriously, the joy of his work is talking with congregational members and friends and he would love to do more of it. Give him a call and have a nice lunch."

WORTH QUOTING

If the Democratic Party really wants to get religion...

"Frankly, our mainline churches have been too quiet for too long about our vision for America. If Democrats would like to hear our voice, here's what we would offer:
Let's get rid of the violence in American society - Our Christian faith is about love, about forgiving our enemies, about praying for those who persecute us. Faithful people are repulsed by a society that condones violence in the media, that supports capital punishment for crimes, and that tolerates the purchase and sale of weapons ranging from hand guns to assault rifles.
Let's make health care a right, not a privilege - Jesus believed in healing enough that he broke the Sabbath laws to heal a person. . . . The richest country in the world should have excellent, affordable health care available for both rich and poor.
Let's build a tax structure that is fair for everyone - The Bible promotes equity in the sharing of community costs. . . .
Let's open up equal opportunities for all - Jesus saw rich potential even among people marginalized by Galilean and Judean society. We would become closer to the Beloved Community of Dr. King if we had true parity for women and people of color in our economic, political, and legal systems.
Let's start taking care of the Earth for future generations - God gave us the task of care for the Earth and its creatures. . . . God's call to care for the Earth should lead us to global policies that enhance the environment and we should find ways to encourage lifestyle choices that promote a sustainable future.
Let's make America a beacon of peace to the nations - Blessed are the peacemakers, Jesus said. We need to build a global security that is founded on justice for everyone. Until we do that, we know there'll be no true peace.

"Are the Democrats ready to get that kind of religion? If they are, let's talk."
--Sandy Brown
"The Source" (Church Council of Greater Seattle) December 2004

WORTH WATCHING: "BRIARS IN THE COTTONPATCH"

"Briars in the Cottonpatch: The Story of Koinonia Farm" is an uncommonly honest look at some brave Christians. Narrator Andrew Young begins with a startling admission: in the 1960s, even civil rights activists were afraid to visit this controversial, integrated Christian community in southwest Georgia. With equal frankness, the former head of the Chamber of Commerce in nearby Americus confesses that he asked Koinonia members to leave town because, "I didn't have any guts at the time."

Clarence Jordan, a preacher and Greek scholar from a wealthy local family, earned a doctorate at the Southern Baptist seminary in Kentucky, and later wrote a remarkable "Cottonpatch" translation of the New Testament. Jordan returned to Georgia in 1942 to launch an intentional community based on the Bible and modern agriculture, where blacks and whites would live and work together as equals. Their neighbors tolerated them for a decade, seeing Jordan as eccentric but harmless.

Trouble arose when the farm began paying black workers from the surrounding area the same as whites, forcing other farmers to pay more and earning their enmity. When Jordan took a student from India to an all-white Baptist church, the congregation promptly expelled all residents of Koinonia community from its membership.

Jordan's support for the integration of state colleges soon led to beatings, boycotts, shootings, and bombings by the Ku Klux Klan. One white business that sold farm supplies to Koinonia was itself bombed. In 1957 Jordan appealed to President Eisenhower "to prevent our annihilation." Ike turned the letter over to Georgia's segregationist governor, whose investigation blamed Koinonia for the assaults.

Though Eisenhower did nothing to stop the terrorists, support poured in from around the country. Two thousand people sent pledges of $50 each, enough to keep the community going as it shifted to selling pecans by mail under the sardonic slogan "Help us ship the nuts out of Georgia."

Civil rights activists called Americus "one of the meanest towns in America," and by 1965 the demonstrations there were as much the focus of national attention as those in Selma, Alabama. Jordan's daughter wanted to join in a protest march but he warned that he would not bail her out. It was wrong to seek trouble, he insisted, but if she and a black friend got arrested for eating together at the local Walgreen's, he would "fight it all the way to the Supreme Court."

Faith Fuller, who produced and directed this documentary and lived on the farm herself, coaxes touching interviews form other "Briars" who reveal both the pride and the lasting emotional scars they bear from being raised in this remarkable community in such dangerous days. The segregated schools for blacks were so bad that Koinonia sued the local school district to get its white children into the white high school, only to have their kids endure four years of harassment and ostracism.

By the late 1960s the Koinonia Community had dwindled to two families, but the arrival of Millard and Linda Fuller in 1968 brought new vitality to the farm. Soon they were marking off 42 half-acre lots where houses would be built with neighbors living in shacks.

Jordan died as the first home was being built, but the idea of creating "sweat equity" housing with the poor turned out to be his final legacy. The Fullers put his ideas to work on a mission trip they made to Africa and immediately grasped their worldwide significance. Returning to Georgia, they launched Habitat for Humanity International, an organization that has proven phenomenally successful both at providing decent homes and transforming lives.

The Fullers met considerable suspicion at first but won people over by building much-needed homes, spending $4 million dollars on Habitat's new headquarters in Americus, and quickly becoming one of the county's biggest employers. Millard Fuller has been in the news lately, having been sacked by Habitat for sexual harassment. "Briars in the Cottonpatch" reminds us that he has also done much good during his life.

In subsequent years, President Jimmy Carter's volunteer work has given both Habitat and Koinonia a certain cachet across the nation and around the world. Twenty to 30 volunteers at a time now visit the farm to experience alternative Christian community, pacifism in action, and Jordan's legacy of "love, tolerance, and faith."

No longer persecuted by nightriders, Koinonia now copes with the perils of success. As a member of the community warns, "We need to fear mediocrity more than failure" - words that might well guide all Christians. "Briars in the Cottonpatch" airs on WLIW/21 on Saturday, February 12 at 3:00 PM and at other times in February on most public television stations.

GIVE BLOOD-THE LIFE YOU SAVE MAY BE YOUR OWN!

Blood donors have the satisfaction of knowing that they are giving others the gift of life, and sometimes they save their own lives in the process. As The Traveler Watchman newspaper reported recently, a friend persuaded George Dozier, who works at Central Suffolk Hospital in Riverhead to donate blood for the first time in his life. Dozier felt perfectly healthy, but his pint, like everyone else's, was screened for a number of diseases - revealing that he had hepatitis C, which is often a silent killer. Further testing revealed that the hepatitis had caused liver damage as well as diabetes, hypertension, pancreatitis and gall bladder problems - all of which needed immediate medical attention. Had he not gone to that blood drive, he probably would not be alive today.

Today there are more than 44 million Americans without health insurance - which is the reason that the LICC is now printing lists of free medical resources each month - and even some of us who have coverage do not go to the doctor frequently enough. Blood donors receive some basic health screenings that can provide early indication of serious problems. So if you are 17 to 75 years of age, weigh at least 110 pounds, think you are in good health, and have not given blood in the past 56 days, roll up your sleeve! The life you save may be your own.

WHAT CAN YOU DO ABOUT HUNGER?

The United Methodist Men's Unit of the Bay Shore United Methodist Church invites all Christian men to their Men's Prayer Service on Saturday Feb. 5th at 12 noon. The theme of the service is "Hunger on Long Island: a Call to Christian Men". The service will be conducted by the Rev. Tom Goodhue, Executive Director of the Long Island Council of Churches. This is a time to come apart as men to worship God, to hear His call, and to make a personal response to His call to "feed my sheep". All men 18 yrs old and over are encouraged to attend this inspiring service, and you are welcome to bring your sons and friends. The service will be held at the United Methodist Church of Bay Shore located on Main Street at the corner of 2nd Ave in Bay Shore. It is the big white church on Main St so its easy to find. Plenty of parking in back, and lunch will be served after the service as a time for social fellowship and networking.
Bread for the World is having an ecumenical bread-and-soup supper on Ash Wednesday, February 9, in Setauket at St. James Catholic Church (Rt. 25A & Ridgeway Ave.) from 5:30-7:00 p.m. and in Smithtown at the United Methodist Church (230 Middle Country Rd. (25A) from 7:00-7:45 p.m. There is no charge, but a free will offering will be received to support Bread for the World. This is a great way to begin Lent by identifying with those who are hungry.

"What's Killing Our Kids?" March 11 Conference at C.W. Post

The threat of gang violence is now a reality on Long Island. Getting a handle on the types of violent behavior that feed gang recruitment will give parents, schools and communities the tools to put a stop to behaviors that put children at risk. On Friday, March 11, a panel of experts will present workshops at a conference titled "What's Killing Our Kids?" from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in Hillwood Commons at the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University (Northern Boulevard/Route 25A in Brookville).

Workshop topics include:

Programs to Prevent Youth Violence;
Adolescent Suicide;
Childhood Obesity;
Dating Violence;
Fight Intervention Strategies;
and Self-Mutilation and Cutting.

The conference fee is $100 and is payable upon registration. To register or for more information, call (516) 433-9444 or email LIPEN21@aol.com.

DID YOU KNOW?

The Community Land Trust of Southold, an idea championed at our Fall Convocation in 2002, is about to make its first purchase of land, which will provide forever-affordable housing, since the purchaser will only buy their home, not the land it sits on. The Rev. Lorraine De Armitt, pastor of Southold United Methodist Church and a member of our Eastern Area Steering Committee, has been leading the CLT, along with another EASC member, the Rev. Lynda Clements, pastor of Cutchogue Presbyterian Church. The only other land trust in the township is one on Fishers Island, where an apartment complex provides housing for employees who otherwise could never afford to live there.

NEEDED/OFFERED

Needed:

A computer:: The LICC needs a desktop computer or laptop with a CD-ROM to replace an aging machine in our Hempstead office. If you have one to donate, please call 516-565-0290, ext. 201, or email licchemp@aol.com.
Leslie organ:: St. Paul AME Zion in Quogue recently was given a lovely Hammond C-3 with what they thought was a Leslie that turned out to be merely a tone cabinet. It worked fine in the donor's living room, but is totally drowned out in church. They are seeking a used Leslie that they can hook up in tandem with the tone cabinet. If you have one to donate or sell, please contact Victoria Hedberg (myosotis51@aol.com).
Hotline Volunteers:: The crisis intervention hotline at Response of Suffolk County needs volunteers to answer the phones and help callers in need of a caring voice. The next training will take place at Stony Brook University over two consecutive weekends, January 29 and 30 and February 5 and 6, 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. Call (631) 751-7500 for details.
Shelter Volunteers:: Maureen's Haven, the ecumenical project on the East End that provides shelter for the homeless, urgently needs additional churches who might provide space Monday through Friday or might work with another nearby congregation to provide shelter during the winter. A growing number of people are seeking emergency shelter and the current volunteers do not want to have to turn anyone away.
To volunteer or to get further information, call Louise Wilkinson or Jennifer Trescott at 631-727-6820.
Host congregation for the homeless:: The Huntington Interfaith Homeless Initiative needs additional houses of worship who will open their doors one night a week to give shelter and a warm bed to approximately 10-20 men. Twenty churches are involved in some way with food preparation, volunteers, providing bedding, etc. Bethany Presbyterian, Central Presbyterian, Our Lady Queen of Martyrs, St. Paraskevi in Greenlawn, and the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Huntington already are open a night a week each, but two more host congregations are needed. The Family Service League picks up those who are homeless, screens them, and delivers them to each host site. The host congregation, along with volunteers from other churches, provides some kind of beds, a hot dinner, fellowship, breakfast, a bag lunch to take away with them, and a safe environment with constant supervision. If you have any questions or a willingness to volunteer, please call me - Becky Crabtree (Central Pres) at 631 470-1131 (or email mamacrab@optonline.net, or contact any of the other host congregations, or call Peggy Boyd or Susan Rodriguez at the Family Service League in Huntington, 631 427-3700.
Arabic Speaking Host Families:: Shevet Achim/Brothers Together is a ministry that matches Palestinian & Iraqi babies and toddlers who need heart surgery to survive with Jewish doctors who donate the surgery. They are seeking a host home on Long Island for a 2 yr. old Palestinian boy and his grandmother who will be coming for donated surgery as soon as possible. A doctor has already volunteered to do the operation, but if a host home or homes are not found for the duration of the stay, they have no choice but to cancel the surgery. This is an incredible way to change Arab hearts towards Jewish and Christian people, one family at a time. They hope to find a Christian Arab family with whom they can stay during the several surgeries this child will require. They will most likely be here at the very least 9 to 10 weeks, then return after 6 months for final surgery. They are not certain that he will be able to travel home during the 6 month interim, since this depends on how well he does during the recuperation. Therefore, it is possible that Aiman and his grandmother could be here for 8 to 9 months or longer. If you know of several families who would be willing to come together and surround Aiman and Um Aiman as family so that it does not become a burden on one family, this might be the ideal strategy. The grandmother does not speak English, so an Arabic-speaking home is needed. This child and his grandmother are already in Amman, so could come perhaps as early as next week, though it would likely be a couple of weeks. If you would like to offer your home or to get further information, please contact Donna Petral at 706-313-8507 or donna@shevet.org. Shevet Achim (www.Shevet.org ) reports that they placed another child last year with a family in Queens and that the Christians, churches, and Jewish doctors they met all had a tremendous impact upon the young mother and baby, giving health, hope, and an experiential witness of Christian love to them.
Host Church for college Mission Project:: Ten students from Western Michigan University who have volunteered for an Alternative Spring Break mission project in Freeport are seeking a church that can provide a floor to sleep on, a kitchen, and showers Feb. 26 to March 5. If you can provide hospitality, please call the Rev. Alan Bentz, the Protestant chaplain at Hofstra University, at 718-380-7234.

Offered:

Chairs:

Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in New Hyde Park has about 20 adult and children size molded fiberglass school chairs for donation. The chairs are in very good condition. Please contact Gloria Dei at 516-354-6956 for additional information.

Support for families with seriously ill children:

Friends of Karen, Inc., a children's charity, provides financial, emotional, and advocacy support to families with children with life-threatening illnesses. Last year Friends of Karen helped 603 families. Their Long Island office is located in Port Jefferson. You can reach Friends of Karen at 631-473-1768.

Free Program on "The Vatican and the Jews":

Molloy College's Center for Jewish-Christian Studies invites all to its program on Sunday, Feb. 13, at 3 p.m. on Pope John XXIII's landmark declaration "In Our Times" (Nostra Aetate). Sister Vicki Toale from Molloy and Rabbi Bruce Ginsburg from Congregation Sons of Israel will assess the progress made since then. The program will take place in the Anselma Room of Kellenbury Hall 1000 Hempstead Avenue in Rockville Centre.

New videos in the LICC lending library at the Presbytery in Commack:

All are VHS unless otherwise noted:

"Congregation" the recent PBS documentary about a United Methodist congregation struggling with changing pastoral leadership and their associate pastor's decision to come out as a lesbian.
"Q & A: Religion & Politics" - the half-hour WLIW/21 program, with Dr. Faroque Khan, Rabbi Jonathan Hecht, and our Executive Director Tom Goodhue, great for study groups.
Discussion Video and Discussion Guides from "Religion & Ethics Newsweekly" - excellent resources for adult study and confirmation classes.
"Joan of Arcadia" - the pilot episode, great for confirmation class & youth group discussions
"The Empty Chair" - 52 minute film on how the families of murder confront loss and punishment, forgiveness and retribution.
"Faith & Reason" - one hour documentary
"Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Pacifist, Nazi Resister" - the 90 minute DVD by Martin Doblmeier
"Bonhoeffer: Agent of Grace" - 85 minute VHS

Free showing of a great movie:

"Farmingville", the outstanding documentary about immigration struggles on Long Island, will be shown at:

Suffolk Community College in Brentwood on Feb. 10,
Montauk Community Church (850 Montauk Highway) on Tuesday, Feb. 15, at 7 p.m. and
Incarnation Lutheran Church in Bridgehampton/Watermill on Tuesday, March 1 at 7 p.m. .

Our Executive Director's review of the film for the June 2004 "Prelude" can be found at www.ncccusa.org/ecmin/licc.

"FAITHS ON LONG ISLAND" DVD/VIDEO:

The Long Island Multi-Faith Forum and Michael Fairchild Productions have created a half-hour video that introduces the eleven faith communities on Long Island that belong to the Forum and seeks to promote greater understanding among the people of our region. It is available in both DVD and VHS formats and is suitable for youth as well as adults. The suggested donation is $30, plus $5 for shipping and handling, but please remember to specify which format you wish.
Checks and orders can be sent to the LICC, 1644 Denton Green, Hempstead, NY 11550.

JOB OPENINGS

Organist/Choir Director:: Grace Lutheran Church in North Bellmore is seeking an organist/choir director, to begin in August 2005. Call 516-785-5029 for further information.
Chaplain:: Hospice Care Network is seeking a 3/4 time chaplain who has an M.Div. degree, at least one unit of Clinical Pastoral Education, related pastoral experience, and a driver's license. Applicants should send resumes to the Rev. Karen Pickler, Hospice Care Network, 99 Sunnyside Blvd., Woodbury, NY 11797 (fax 516-832-7160; email kpickler@hospicecarenetwork). For further info, call 516-224-6460.

MEDICAL RESOURCES: HELP WITH REFERALS

The LICC has long advocated universal medical coverage and has long tried to help those in need find the help they need. Here is information the LICC's Public Issues Committee has gathered about local churches that help provide referrals for free or inexpensive care.

Do you have additions or corrections for this list? If so, please call Neka Wilson at 516-565-0290, ext. 201.

Medical Referrals

Rev. Laurie Cline
St. John Lutheran
2150 Centre Ave., Bellmore
516-785-4331

Susan Paulson
St. Anthony of Padua
614 Route 25A, Rocky Point
631-821-9450

Loretta Stelter
St. Patrick's Church
630 New York Ave., Huntington
631-673-5378

Francine Jennings
St. Dominic
93 Anstice St., Oyster Bay
516-922-4488

Sister Kathleen McCarth
St. Ignatius Loyola
20 East Cherry St., Hicksville
516-935-8841

Rev. Lousie Stowe-Johns
Community United Methodist Church
Jericho Road at Vernon, E. Norwich
516-922-0133

Rev. Jack K. King
The United Methodist Church
160 Main Street, Southampton
631-283-0951

Louise M Sandberg
Mary and Elizabeth Center
60 Anchor Ave., Oceanside
516-594-4943

Sister Patricia Turley, CSJ
Sacred Heart R.C. Church
720 Merrick ave. North Merrick
516-379-1356

Sister Nancy A. Bacci, MSBT
Church of Saint Mary
1300 Northern Blvd., Manhasset
516-365-2705

Rabbi Howard Hoffman
North Shore Jewish Center
385 Old Town Rd., Pt. Jefferson Sta.
631-928-3737

Ann Horgan RSM
Holy Spirit Church
16 56th St., New Hyde Park
516-358-5339

Pauline Winterbottom
North Fork Parish Outreach
PO Box 1756,
260 Hortons Lane, Southold
631-765-4037

Eda Lorello
Queen of the Most Holy Rosary
P.O. Box 3035
2350 Montauk Hwy , Bridgehampton
631-537-0156

Rev. Hope Koski
St. Lawrence of Canterbury Church
655 Old Country Rd., Dix Hills
631-271-7180

John M Clark CSW
St. Peter's Parish Social Ministry
1327 Port Washington Blvd., PW
516-883-0365

Robert Considine
St Philop Neri RC Church
344 Main Street, Northport
631-261-2828

Fran Leek
St Hugh of Lincoln
21 E. 9th St., Huntington Station
631-271-8986

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