TABLE OF CONTENTS
From Our Executive Director:
HOW TO START A CLERGY GROUP
Yours truly is asked regularly how to form - or revive - a clergy group or some other ecumenical or interfaith organization. Local ministerial associations, interfaith councils, and such are all worthy efforts, but they are sometimes hard to get started and keep going. I may have more wisdom to share on this question after my summer sabbatical, which is focused on how to live ecumenically in an interfaith world, but here are some questions that have already occurred to me:
- Is this going to be a clergy group or one that includes non-clergy? There is virtue in both sorts of groups, but they lead to very different people being invited. A clergy group might involve pastors, priests, rabbis, imams, and gurus who lead local houses of worship or it might involve bishops, district superintendents, executive presbyters, the head of the board of rabbis, the most prominent Muslim and Unitarian Universalist leaders, etc. A group that welcomes non-clergy (whom Protestants call "laity") might include the leader of the local Bahai fellowship, a representative of the Jain community who is not ordained, and the religious (a. k. a. a nun) who is the parish administrator - whom some view as clergy even if her own denomination does not.
- Will this be a group of peers? Will parish clergy be invited? Bishops and bishop-like people , such as the presidents of the Board of Rabbis and the Rabbinical Assembly, the Executive Presbyter, and United Methodist District Superintendents? Clergy are less likely to come if other congregations or denominations are represented by laity, and bishops are most likely to join a group if they are among peers. Remember that it is fine to invite as guests those who are not going to be members of the group: you might invite a bishop or conference president to speak to a group of parish clergy without expecting him or her to become a regular member of the association.
- Who will not be invited? This is awkard question, of course, but one that it is important to ask. Conservative and Reform Rabbis probably will leave if "Messianic rabbis" are invited (even if they would not object to Lubavitchers - go figure) but Christians may drop out if Messianics are excluded - and even those who say nothing may be mightily offended. Christians also may leave if Mormons are treated as Christians. Muslim leaders are unlikely to come if the Ahmadiyyas are welcome. Bahais who want you to welcome everyone may not want the "Orthodox Bahais" (who may not be very orthodox, but that's another story). Few of us are as tolerant as we'd like to think we are, which I think illustrates the Doctrine of Sin. There is no easy way to deal with this problem, but it helps to discuss it at the outset. It is good to know who offends your colleagues - including who is offended when you take offense - and where you are intolerant yourself. And if you do not know who the Bahais or Unitarian Universalists are, or if you have no idea how to find the Hindu, Sikh, or Buddhist priests in your area, you might want to invite the Long Island Multi-Faith Forum to present a "Building Bridges" program in your community.
- Does anyone get to veto who else attends? On the one hand, those who work for a hierarchical organization (such as the American Jewish Committee) may not be free to attend if it includes people who are anathema to the hierarchy, such as a supporter of Hamas. On the other hand, no faith community has any business telling others who can represent them, and anyone who tries to tell me whom I can have as friends will not remain my friend. Not only are there no easy answers to this problem, I fear there is no solution whatsoever. Talking about it may make it clear, though, that person A is not being "judgmental" or "inflexible" - she is trying to keep her job - or that person B is being "insensitive" - he may be simply upholding a fundamental principle of interfaith relations.
- When are you going to meet? Meeting mid-week for breakfast or lunch tends to be best for full-time parish clergy and retirees but not for laity or bi-vocational clergy. The Bay Shore-Brightwaters Clergy Association found a few years ago that if they wanted everyone to have a chance to take part in a discussion, they needed to do two meetings, one at 8 a.m. and one at 6 p.m.
- Where are you going to meet? It's best to pick neutral territory (such as a diner) or to rotate the location. A synagogue may b a good first site, since a rabbi can often get the congregation's caterer to provide kosher/hallal/vegetarian food gratis, but mosques and gurudwaras also are great at hospitality and equally able to accommodate diverse dietary restrictions.
- What will you talk about at your first meeting? Faroque Khan from the Islamic Center of Long Island suggests that it is good to begin with a safe topic, such as the role of food in your religious observances. Rabbi Moses Birnbaum suggests something such as the common challenges faced by most clergy in your area. We all have topics we find nearly impossible to discuss, so it might be wise to wait a while before tackling really explosive issues, such as abortion or the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Just figuring out who will be at the table and where the table will be is plenty to tackle before you know one another.
Need further help? The LICC can provide names and addresses of local religious leaders you may not know but might want to invite. Our staff would also be glad to speak to your group, too, if you like. And once you get the group going, we would be happy to publicize the good things that you do!
Shalom/Salaam/Shanti/Pax,
Tom
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MORE ABOUT BUDDDHISM & CHRISTIANITY
In response to our Executive Director's column in our June newsletter (which is available on-line at www.liccny.org), several readers asked how it was possible to be "both a Buddhist and an Orthodox Christian." Actually, you can be Catholic Christian and a Buddhist, too. One of the better known teachers of Zen Buddhism in our region is a Catholic priest. Being both Christian and Buddhist may strike you as strange, but it is not impossible.
Buddhism, if I understand it correctly, is essentially a practice rather than a doctrine or theology. You do not need to believe in any particular set of beliefs to meditate, and those who do meditate often report that it has helped them to discover the traditions of prayer within their own faith community, regardless of whether that is Christianity, Judaism, Unitarian Universalism, etc. Buddhists do not worship another god, and many Christians find that the practice of "sitting Zen" helps them to pray and to understand their own faith better. It may not be possible to practice both Christianity and Hinduism, which are based on pretty incompatible theologies, but Buddhism does not seem to be at odds with anything Jesus taught. There is certainly a risk of confusion whenever you try to learn from another tradition, but there is also the potential to understand your own faith in a deeper way. One can be a Christian and sit Zen in much the same way that one can be Christian and practice yoga - though I don't do either myself, so it is entirely possible that I don't know what I am talking about!
If you'd like to learn more about Buddhism, or other traditions practiced by our neighbors, you might want to invite the Long Island Multi-Faith Forum to do a program in your community. And if you are brave enough to tell your neighbors how you practice your own beliefs, the Forum needs you! You can find a brief description of their "Building Bridges" program at www.limff.org and more info on how to plan a presentation by the LIMFF at www.liccny.org.
--twg--
LICC Finance Director Timothy Denton, who does know what he is talking about, explains:
"Zen Buddhism tends to address areas of spirituality not specifically covered in Christian scriptures. It is not that Zen teachings are in conflict with Christianity; they simply cover different ground, so to speak. However, most of the core teachings of the historical Buddha, Gotama Siddhartha, have corollaries with the teachings of Our Lord, the Fathers, or the canons of the Church Councils. Included among these would be teachings on man's fallen nature; salvation; eternal life; and an original paradise. They do not follow a specifically Biblical formula, but the underlying truths are there. I cannot even tell you how often I use Christian teachings to illustrate Buddhist thought. I believe you'd be astounded to note the sheer volume of similarities between the patristic writings of the Church Fathers and the classical teachings of Mahayana Buddhism. And it is not at all unusual for Buddhists to be Christian: I personally know a half-dozen Christian priests and nuns who practice Zen, and there are many, many more than that."
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GOOD NEWS & NOT SO GOOD NEWS
You will see below some great news about the expansion of Emergency Food & Shelter Program funds for rent and mortgage assistance. And for the first time, EFSP will help those who are unemployed. The info on this program is formatted as a flyer, and we encourage you to pass it along to those who are struggling to make ends meet and to post it somewhere.
EFSP does not, however, pay for the salaries, rent, electricity, and such that it takes for the LICC to provide this help. And it is increasingly hard to raise the money it takes for these things. Each year, it seems, the gap grows between the number of people whom the counties send to us for help and the cost of helping them - and to make matters worse, the counties are slower and slower to reimburse us for the work we do on their behalf. With a rising number of our neighbors in need and growing costs of helping them but declining funding, we are headed for a real crisis. Please give whatever you can as soon as you can. Thanks!
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HOW TO THRIVE IN HARD TIMES
The 2009 Annual Meeting was held at First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown, located at 175 E. Main Street in Smithtown, New York, from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Following the business meeting Tom Goodhue moderated a panel discussion. Panelists were Alan Stevens, (Old South Haven Presbyterian Church), Rev. Mark Bigelow (Congregational Church of Huntington), Jean Kelly (Executive Director of the I.N.N.), and Rev. Patrick Duggan (South Hempstead Congregational Church). Tom introduced them as leaders who know how to thrive in hard times, and asked them to share their experience and advice.
Mark Bigelow's church membership has grown by about 10% during the 18 years he's pastored it. His budget also rose 10%. What's allowed his church to thrive, he said, are:
- No major conflicts.
- Inspiring worship services that include hope and inspiration, not complaints and browbeating.
- Experimental - open to new ideas.
- Inclusive.
Alan Stevens became the head of a faith-based organization two years ago that was only days from going bankrupt. It is an ecumenical human services agency in Coram that provides food, counseling, and shelter for runaway youth. Facing the crisis was the beginning of solving it, he said. The agency had received a $500,000 government grant to shelter youth, but the government did not renew it. At the same time Newsday published an article about their dire straits and need for a miracle. The article brought in $128,000. One fellow alone brought in a $22,000 check, said they needed a fundraiser, and volunteered.
Jean Kelly - Tom noted that Jean takes good care of her own soul and encourages her staff to do the same. If you can't care for yourself, you can't care effectively for others, Jean said. Staff and volunteers must guard against burnout. The I.N.N. is family friendly and allows flexible hours.
Before she became executive director of the INN, she spent 20 years in the corporate world. Her background was advertising and marketing. After joining the INN, she was shocked to learn about how much poverty there is on Long Island. She finds that it's much harder to deal with the needy volunteers and staff than to deal with the homeless. Many of the people who work at nonprofits are emotionally needy and spiritually undernourished. Jean believes we shouldn't be concerned about running out of food, and noted that once you stop putting restraints on what people can take, they get out of a "deprivation mode" and don't take so much.
The INN has a "no ask policy" for their guests, do not require any documentation, and they pack the food bags according to what guests told the staff they want. Poverty does not define the guests. It's assumed that the poverty is temporary. They never use the term "client," but use "guest" instead, to confer dignity.
Patrick Duggan - he's been a part-time pastor for 14 years, also has a full-time job in government, and refers to himself as bi-vocational. "What do we do with declining revenue and rising problems?" he asked. "The answer is: Head, heart and home."
- Head: Look at your leadership. Where are their heads? Attitudes are critical. How are they equipped to lead? How do we get our heads right so we can be effective leaders?
- Heart: Be in touch with our spiritual resources, and be inspirational.
- Home: How do we help the distressed? Instead of just praying, what about bringing together all the resources in one place to collaborate so we're not duplicating. Operations have to be well equipped, and in a modern context that speaks to the people. Use contemporary resources - it may be bible study, but if it has a different name that speaks to modern interests, people are more likely to come. Structure yourselves for success.
Annual Awards:
- Foundation of the Year: Newsday Charities
- Agency of the Year: Nassau County Bar Association.
- Denomination of the Year: Episcopal Charities of Long Island
- Congregation of the Year: Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock
- Corporation of the Year: TD BankNorth Charitable Foundation
- Philanthropist of the Year: Anonymous
- Volunteer of the Year: Christine Lacy
- Life-Time Achievement Award for Volunteering: Charles & Greta Hedberg
Additional Honorees:
- Bank of America
- Bethpage Federal Credit Union
- CVS Pharmacy
- Episcopal Diocese of Long Island
- First Presbyterian Church of Baldwin
- Garden City Community Church
- Marian S. Hubbard
- Roslyn Savings Foundation
- Wantagh Memorial Congregational Church
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DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
Sara C. Weiss, Director of Development
We thank the following institutional donors for their gifts of $500 and more in May:
| Abundant Communities Together Inc. | $1,020 Where Most Needed |
| Astoria Federal Savings | $2,500 Personal Financial Education |
| Congregational Church of Manhasset | $1,000 Where Most Needed |
| Long Island Community Foundation | $20,000 MICAH anti-hunger campaign |
| Riverhead Building Supply | $1,000 Spring Appeal |
| Southampton Bath & Tennis Club Fund | $1,000 Thanksgiving Dinner in Riverhead |
| Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Huntington | $500 Spring Appeal |
We are most grateful for their generosity. We also thank the institutions that gave less than $500, and for all of our individual donors, though we do not list them because they wish to remain anonymous. During the summer months our donations are reduced, as is the case for many religious institutions. However, the clients we serve still need our help, they continue to increase in numbers, and we need the financial resources to continue our ministry to the poor throughout the summer. Please help us continue to serve them.
We Thought You Should Know
Every time Wells Fargo Home Mortgage closes a mortgage with one of our clients, donors, or others in our network, they will donate $300 to the Long Island Council of Churches. You have to ask them to do so, and tell them where you want the $300 to be sent. Please ask them to send to LICC, 1644 Denton Green, Hempstead, NY 11550, Attn: Sara Weiss.
Most Urgent Need
The Long Island Council of Churches (one donor said we should call ourselves "Long Island Council of Caring") is best known for feeding the hungry, but that's far from all we do. We help people in distress in many other ways: with housing including rental and mortgages; with paying their utilities; with transportation so they can get to doctor's appointments, their jobs and numerous other places one cannot access without a car or public transportation; with prescription assistance because most of our clients are uninsured; and through our predatory lending prevention/personal financial education seminars that help people in danger of losing their homes, people who are over their heads in credit card debt, people who need to learn how to manage their finances; and with many other basic needs without which it's difficult or impossible to survive on Long Island.
To help the more than 2,000 people we assist each month, we must pay rent, utilities, and the staff who help the clients. Government grants like the federal Emergency Food & Shelter Program or County Departments of Social Services cover only a tiny portion of what it costs us to run the programs. It's like you, dear readers, paying an auto mechanic for parts when he fixes your car but not paying his labor costs he needs to pay for his repair shop, utilities, the phone(s) on which he calls you to tell you your car is ready, office supplies, staff costs, etc.
Like many other human service agencies, we are caring for more clients than we did at this time last year, but we do not have more funds with which to do it. We urgently need your gifts to help the ever-rising number of people who depend on us for food, shelter, transportation, medical assistance, and a host of other needs. Unrestricted gifts are the best way to ensure that we can fulfill our mission to serve individuals and families in crisis. Thank you for caring for the people we serve.
Memorial/Tribute Gifts
A great way to remember a loved one, whether living or deceased, 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 or 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 any questions, call Sara for further information at 516-565-0290, ext. 207. Naming and Tribute opportunities are also available for our programs. Please call Sara for a list. We also have planned giving opportunities that will sustain these programs in perpetuity.
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FROM THE MULTI-FAITH FORUM: Prayers for the Earth
At the recent "Greening Your Place of Worship" conference of the Long Island Interfaith Environment Network at Molloy College, members of the Long Island Multi-Faith Forum shared a variety of prayers and readings that expressed gratitude for God's good creation. Here are some excerpts:
"Every time I lift up my eyes to Thy heavens, I call to mind Thy highness and Thy loftiness and Thine incomparable glory and greatness, and I every time I turn my gaze to Thine earth, I am made to recognize the evidences of Thy power and the tokens of Thy bounty."
--Farideh Siahpoosh (Bahai)
"Let us extend lovingkindness towards whatever beings there may be, without exception, weak or strong, tall or long, large, middling or short, visible or invisible, near or far away, already born or yet to be born, wishing they may all live in perfect tranquility, safe and free from harm and danger, disease and pollution;
Let us extend also lovingkindness towards whatever non-living elements there may be, solid or liquid, hot or cold, moving or non-moving, dense or spacious, visible or invisible, near or far away, may they be safe and free from harm, danger and pollution, and let us commit ourselves to their care and protection;
Just as a mother loves and protects her child at the risk of her own life, let us cultivate a boundless heart, radiating our lovingkindness through the whole universe, above, below, all around, unobstructed, free from wrong views, greed and ill-will."
--Sheila Sussman (Buddhist)
"For many Hindus it is customary to touch the ground with reverence when stepping out of bed in the morning. To all Hindus the earth is a mother. It provides all the needs of mankind just as a mother provides the needs of a child. The practice of touching the earth gives us an opportunity to convey our gratitude to Mother Earth and to God, who created it. Our body is constituted of minerals that come from within the earth and the environment that surrounds it. Even the food we eat comes from the earth. The water we drink and the medicines we consume also come from the earth. Each of us is thus indebted to Mother Earth."
--Ranajana Shah (Hindu)
The Rev. Mark Bigelow, a member of the LICC's Board of Governors, shared words from a hymn by St. Francis of Assisi, revered by Christians of nearly all denominations, who wrote sometime around 1225:
"Dear mother earth, who day by day
Unfoldest blessings on our way,
Alleluia! Alleluia!
The flowers and fruits that in thee grow,
Let them God's glory also show!
O praise ye! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!"
"Look at my works! How beautiful and praiseworthy they are!
Be careful, though, that you don't spoil or destroy my world-
Because if you spoil it, there is nobody after you to fix it."
--Marion Lowenthal (Jewish)
"O merciful God, please care for all beings in thy Grace.
Please provide abundant food and water and eliminate poverty and disease."
--Raj Singh (Sikh)
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"GREENING YOUR PLACE OF WORSHIP" Tips from Tthe LI Interfaith Environment Network
Saving Energy:
- Make a Public Commitment and a Written Policy:
- When leaders make a public commitment, they are more likely to change behavior. Make a public commitment to save energy.
- Choose an Energy Steward:
- Without making it an individual's job, conservation can slip through the cracks. A dedicated Steward can model new energy habits.
- Clergy and leaders should publicly support this task.
- The Steward should determine current energy use, monitor monthly use in relation to this baseline, oversee energy education of leaders, and oversee conservation measures.
- Make a brief monthly report to the Governing Body until conservation becomes a habit.
- Establish A Baseline And Target:
- Without a baseline, you won't know if you've saved energy, so gather information on your past two years' energy bills.
- Enter the monthly energy usage figures (not cost) in GreenFaith's Energy Spreadsheet. The spreadsheet calculates your baseline annual energy usage and greenhouse gas emissions.
- Set goals for your quarterly and annual energy use, mindful of seasonal variation.
- Aim for a 10% reduction in usage during your first year.
- Identify Possible Improvements:
- Unless you have an expert in your congregation, get an energy use audit. (LIGreenGuide.org lists local companies), and you can request free audits from LIPA and National Grid.
- To request an electric use audit from LIPA, download an Audit Request form from www.lipower.org/pdfs/commercial/NFP/NFPaudit.pdf and fax the form to John Pratnicki, Audit Program Manager, at 631-755-5381. Phone: 631-755-5390. For more information on programs that LIPA offers to places of worship and other not-for-profit organizations, visit their web site: www.lipower.org/commercial/NFP/. If you have specific questions, LIPA has a representative whose specific role is to assist non-profits, municipalities, and places of worship: Contact Walter Hoefer at 516-719-9840.
- To request a heating/cooling audit from National Grid, look up your gas account number and call 1-800-843-3636 (businesses/commercial) or 1-800-860-0815 (residential).
- National Grid offers rebates on certain technologies. Visit www.thinksmartthinkgreen.com for more information.
- Carry Out Energy Efficiency Measures:
- Lighting - increase efficiency and use occupancy sensors
- HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems)- efficiency and regular preventive maintenance are key.
- Help set people up for success - install occupancy sensors and automatic thermostats.
- Plumbing - use sensors, low flow fixtures
- Tighten up the envelope - roof, windows, doors, insulation
- Using Renewable Energy:
- Solar electric: Long Island Places of worship are entitled to an extra dollar per watt rebate over the residential rate from LIPA when they install solar photovoltaic panels (solar PV): a 10 kw solar system gets a $45,000 rebate, about half of the installation cost. For more info on this and a list of solar installers, visit http://www.lipower.org/efficiency/solar-muni.html.
- Solar Hot Water: Solar thermal panels have a lower cost to install and are a highly efficient way to provide hot water but are not eligible for the LIPA rebate.
- Wind: Some Towns allow residential wind turbines. Ask your town building department.
- Take Advantage of Quantity Quotes:
- Congregations can save money through "quantity quotes" on seven items through the US EPA: refrigerators, fluorescent light bulbs, fluorescent light fixtures, air conditioners, dishwashers, dehumidifiers, and clothes washers. There are 146 suppliers: you use the Web site to bid anonymously and receive price quotes. EPA hopes to add more products such as LEDs, insulation, windows, and vending machines in the future. Interfaith Power & Light offers a similar program. See www.quantityquotes.net or ShopIPL.org
- Evaluate, Praise, and Publicize:
- Have your Energy Steward monitor financial and environmental impact.
- Publicize your success; praise your leaders! Write a news release for your newsletter and local paper telling how your house of worship is fighting global warming through energy conservation.
Other Ways to Go Green
- Reduce Toxins in and Around Your Place of Worship:
- Cleaners: Many cleaners contain harsh chemicals and VOCs, (Volatile Organic Compounds) that can irritate the respiratory system. For this reason, New York State has required all school districts to use cleaners that meet the national GreenSeal standard.
- Lawn care: Many common pesticides used to kill weeds and insects are associated with health effects such as cancer, hormone disruption, and nerve toxicity. Many are also toxic to wildlife and can run off into local water bodies.
- Paints: Next time your place of worship needs a new coat of paint, consider non-VOC paints that have no odor, available at all better paint stores, and also Green Depot (greendepot.com) and GreenerCountry.com
- The Neighborhood Network website offers information about non-toxic cleaning products and organic lawn and turf care at neighborhood-network.org under "issue areas."
- Reduce Waste In and Around Your Place of Worship:
- Purchase recycled paper for your copy machines, and also biodegradable food serving products such as plates, forks, and cups made from vegetable starch at:
- Recycle paper, cans, and bottles.
- Reduce water waste through low flow toilets.
- Plant a Community Garden:
- If your place of worship has a small patch of land to spare, consider converting a section of your property into an organic community garden, using native plants. This is a great way to involve kids in a positive activity that raises their environmental awareness. Vegetables grown in the garden can be provided to poor in the community, and fresh, local food is always healthiest and has a lower "carbon footprint". If your place of worship has a lot of land to spare, you may want to consider operating a CSA- Community Supported Agriculture - farm. Homecoming, a project of Sophia Garden in Amityville, operates a 1.5 acre CSA at the Dominican Sisters mother house that feeds over 100 families.
- Encourage Worshipers to Go Green at Home:
- Encourage people to go green through sermons, newsletter, bulletin, website, and educational events. Sample sermons about ecological stewardship are available on a DVD from Interfaith Power & Light, called "Preaching for the Planet" (call 415-561-4891 for a copy). Greenfaith offers periodic trainings for religious leaders for this purpose also.
- Many companies offer home energy audits on LI. See LIGreenGuide.org for a listing.
- Many retail stores offer green cleaners and less toxic products for lawn and garden care.
Stewardship Resources for the Faith Community:
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WORTH QUOTING
The Quran on Who Is the Best?
"Oh mankind! We created you from a single pair of male and female, and made you into nations and tribes that you may get to know one another-not despise one another. Surely the noblest of you in the sight of God is the one who is the most righteous."
--The Quran, Chapter 49, verse 13
Righteous Violence
"Is there such a thing as righteous violence? We have been duped into committing violence in the name of God, religion, race, social status, politics, family, tribe, justice, freedom, etc. We commit violence and murder with the argument of stopping evil."
"You are superior to other creatures. Yet, you're the only creature that would knowingly indulge in behaviors that can destroy you."
--Imam Khalid S. Lateef, To Be Human: Life-changing Insights from Around the World
Money
"Having, First, gained all you can, and Secondly, saved all you can, Then give all you can."
--Methodist founder John Wesley, "The Use of Money"
Giving as an Act of Hope
"Even secular financial experts report that debt reduction requires having a plan and that plan has to include becoming a giver. Why? It transforms a person from victim status to an empowered, confident, hopeful human being. Being a giver changes us inside. We think differently, we act differently, and corporately we create a different world."
--the Rev. Jenna Hart, The Circuit Rider May/June/July 2009
Our Health Crisis
"More than 8.1 million children in America now have no health insurance, twice the number that can be covered under the newly expanded Child Health Plus program. 3,000 more children are losing their health coverage each day."
--CBS Evening News May 28, 2009
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DID YOU KNOW?
Jobs with Justice will honor LICC Board member Mary Dewar at a dinner at the Thatched Cottage in Centerport on Monday, August 10, at 6 p.m. Mazeltov, Mary!
We are converting our Freeport Emergency Food Center (450 North Main Street) to a "client choice pantry" so our guests can choose food for themselves rather than settle for whatever we bag for them. By making this change, we can better meet the needs of our guests, make sure that your donations do not go to waste, and treat people in need with more dignity. Many thanks to the Boy Scouts who have worked with Wally Merna to move stock, and to Connor Hillery, who organized his Scout Troop 163 in Rockville Centre to paint, replace ceiling tiles, and build shelves so that we can do this.
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LICC/MICAH RETREAT TUESDAY, SEPT. 15
As the Long Island Council of Church's Eastern Area Steering Committee pondered what issue to address this year at our Annual Convocation, they quickly concluded that we don't need to tackle one more topic, since we are all quite sufficiently overworked, overwhelmed, and stressed out already. What we need, they concluded, is to take care of our souls. Instead of Convocation, they have planned a retreat, one that is being co-sponsored by MICAH, the Mobilized Interfaith Coalition against Hunger. There has already been a warm response to their decision from all sorts of people.
This "day apart" will be Tuesday, Sept. 15, from 10:00 to 4:00 at Camp De Wolfe, a beautiful site in Wading River overlooking the Long Island Sound. It will be led by Jean Kelly, Executive Director of the Interfaith Nutrition Network, who led a wonderful one-day retreat for MICAH in October 2007. Catholic Charities encouraged many of their staff to close their offices and head off to that retreat. Learning from this example, the LICC will be closing its offices on Sept. 15 so that our staff can be refreshed and renewed. The Rev. Charles A. Coverdale, pastor of 1st Baptist Church of Riverhead, is doing the same for his staff. As an old hymn reminds us, we need to "take time to be holy."
The purpose of the retreat is to renew and recharge all of us who are working in the trenches ministering to people in need and advocating on their behalf, to help us sustain our spirits for the long haul. The requested donation for the day is $20, which includes lunch. Please RSVP by Sept. 8 to Yolanda Murray at 516-565-0290 or liccmurray@yahoo.com so that we can count you for lunch. Here is a registration form:
Name _______________________________________ Number attending __________
Address ________________________________________________________________
City __________________________________ State_________ Zip ________________
Day-time telephone ______________________________________________________
E-mail address __________________________________________________________
Please complete and print out hard copy. Address checks to: Long Island Council of Churches. Please write "Retreat" in the memo section and mail to:
Timothy Denton, Director of Finance
Long Island Council of Churches
1644 Denton Green
Hempstead, NY 11550
To register and pay by phone, please call Yolanda Murray at 516-565-0290.
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NEEDED/OFFERED
Needed:
- Board Members for Community Health Centers in Nassau
- Nassau University Medical Center operates four Community Health Centers (CHC's) in Nassau County. For many years, health care advocates have pressed the Medical Center to obtain federal status for the community health centers. This will enable us to expand services to the patients we serve through these CHC's. Recently, the Nassau Health Care Corporation - the parent of the Medical Center - informed us that they are applying for Federally Qualified Status - a victory for all of us, especially those in need of access to health care!
As part of the federalization process, a Board of Directors must be established to oversee the Community Health Centers (CHC's). The Long Island Council of Churches has been asked to assist in this process and Sara Weiss has already agreed to be on the forming board of directors. Federal guidelines require that at least 51% of the board of directors utilize the CHC's for their primary health care - this includes the health centers in New Cassel, Freeport-Roosevelt, Hempstead and Elmont. We are seeking candidates from these patient populations to become board members. Candidates must be using one of these CHC's for their primary health care during the past two years. The Community Health Centers will be non-profit facilities and board members will not be paid; however, the plan is to have a stipend for consumer board members for travel and child care. Training will be provided for all board members.
This is an excellent opportunity to acquire training and experience, especially for those who are looking for work or want to change jobs. If you are interested, please call Gloria Sierra, Nassau University Medical Center, 2201 Hempstead Turnpike, East Meadow, NY 11554, tel. # 516-572-8842, e-mail: gsierra@numc.edu.
- Blood Donors
- Blood donations usually decline each summer - often leading to a severe shortage. Is your congregation holding a blood drive this July or August? If so, we would be glad to pass the word. You can give "the gift of life" at:
- Holy Cross Church, 95 Old Nichols Road, Nesconset, is having a blood drive on Tuesday, July 14, 3:00 to 8:15.
- Christ Episcopal Church, 12 Prospect Street in Babylon, is holding a blood drive on Thursday, July 30. Call 631-661-5757 for info & leave a message for Don or Daria.
- Volunteers for Blood Drives
- Volunteers are needed to help welcome and assist blood donors with registration and refreshments and assist our staff to ensure blood donors have a pleasant donation experience. Opportunities to volunteer are available for weekdays, weekends and all shifts. Make a world of difference: volunteer. To learn more about volunteering, visit: libsvolunteers@nybloodcenter.org.
- Meeting Space for Rebuilding Together Long Island
- Rebuilding Together Long Island, an organization that repairs and rehabilitates the homes of poor, elderly and disabled homeowners, needs space for monthly meetings. Rebuilding Together volunteers meet once per quarter on the first Wednesday of the month for about two hours starting at 7:00 pm. If you have space to offer four times a year, ideally somewhere near mid-Nassau, please contact Monica Merchan at 212-436-1392, 347-263-1415, or monica.e.merchan@irs.gov. For more information about the help they provide, please visit www.rebuildingtogetherlongisland.org.
- Food, drivers, chairs, and a freezer
- Food donations are needed at the Long Island Council of Churches' Emergency Food Pantries in Freeport (450 N. Main Street, 516-868-4989) and Riverhead (407 Osborne Avenue @ Lincoln, 631-727-2210), where we are feeding 25% more people than last year - which was itself a record year. They particularly need canned meat, vegetables, tuna, low-sodium food, low-fat food, dietetic food, Ensure (and similar supplements), baby food, and infant formula (especially those with iron, such as Enfamil with LIPIL). Donations of toiletries, personal care items, and plastic or paper shopping bags also are welcome. We often distribute produce and other perishable food, too, but please call first before bringing these items to make sure we have room to store them. And please call before bringing clothes - we already have lots to give away.
Our Riverhead pantry particularly needs donations of canned vegetables this week.
The Freeport pantry also needs donations from a bakery or bagel shop, a freezer, copier, vacuum cleaner, small shopping carts, some comfortable chairs, and Spanish-speaking volunteers who are available anytime Monday through Friday between 11:00 and 4:00.
The Riverhead pantry also needs some comfortable chairs or a small couch for guests waiting for assistance.
We also need drivers who can pick up food donations occasionally and deliver them to Freeport, Hempstead, or Riverhead, as you are needed and as you happen to be available - with absolutely no guilt if you do not happen to be free.
Offered:
- New, Unused Child's Mattress
- Approximate Size: 53" x 28" with clean mattress cover. Can be delivered locally. Please contact Elder Dan Burke (at 1st Presbyterian Church of Oyster Bay) by June 30 if you know of someone who can use this at 631 851-9766 or DBurke@dpburke.com.
- Power Chair
- A woman in Long Beach has a Jazzy brand power chair to donate to someone or some organization that can use it and can pick it up. Contact Rob Aramanda at 516-241-9398 or rob.aramanda@irs.gov.
- Diabetes test strips
- Free for the taking: several boxes of unopened Lancets testing strips for diabetes meters. Contact Alison at starr2be@aol.com.
- Fire Island Trip for Children in Need
- On Wednesday, August 12, Every Child's Dream, a nonprofit organization in Sayville, is holding its Third Annual "Back Pack Pirates Summer Fest" for needy school-age children (ages 6-17). This day trip from the Sayville Ferry (which is donating use of its ferries) to Fire Island will be a day filled with activities including treasure hunts, swimming, nature walks through Sunken Forest, sand-castle contest, volleyball games, a visit to the nature museum, a barbecue lunch, entertainment performances by the Broadway troupe "Story Pirates" and the "Black Spot" Pirate Productions, and much more. At the end of the day, each child will receive a backpack filled with school supplies. The children will be asked to sign a contract that they'll go to classes, do homework, mind the teacher, and so on - naturally "signed in blood." There is room for 500 children and they hope to distribute another 500 backpacks to children who need the school supplies but cannot come on Aug. 12. For further information, or to sign up children you know, please email nancy.keating@suffolkcountyny.gov (email is strongly preferred!) or call (631)853-8288.
- Sweat Equity Homes in Suffolk
- Habitat for Humanity of Suffolk is building affordable homes in several Suffolk County communities including Bay Shore, Central Islip, East Moriches, Mastic Beach, North Bellport, Shirley, Westhampton Beach and Wyandanch. They are seeking potential homeowners who:
- Need decent housing
- Are willing to work with others in building their home and one for another family
- Are able to make modest monthly payments
| Family Size | Total Family Income |
|---|
| Example | Minimum | Maximum |
|---|
| * Family up to 4 members | $40,720 | $61,080 |
To register for a free orientation session call (631) 924-4966 x113 or email familyservices@habitatsuffolk.org. There is an Application Night scheduled for Monday, July 13 at 6pm in the East Patchogue/North Bellport area.
Want to help build a Habitat home? Visit www.habitatsuffolk.org.
- Info on How To Benefit from the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act
- The American Reinvestment and Recovery Act has important provisions that can save you a lot of money. Visit http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=209575,00.html to learn about the
- Education Credit
- Energy Credit
- Making Work Pay
- Homebuyers Credit
- Purchasing a new vehicle credit
There are also Pod casts available http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=205018,00.html.
- Affordable Homes on Long Island
- The Long Island Housing Partnership in conjunction with Nassau County, Suffolk County and the Town of Babylon is working to stabilize and revitalize foreclosured properties on Long Island. The Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) is designed to both stabilize and revitalize communities' hard hit by the foreclosure crisis and also work with first time homebuyers to enable them to realize the "American Dream" of homeownership.
Under NSP, homes that have been foreclosed will be rehabilitated thereby enabling first time homebuyers to purchase them. A first time homebuyer is defined as anyone who has not owned property within the past three years. Homes will be sold to qualified homebuyers whose household income is at or below 120% of the area median income (in 2009 - $122,200 for a family of four).
For additional information on the Neighborhood Stabilization Program, please contact the Long Island Housing Partnership at (631) 435-4710.
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NEED HELP WITH YOUR RENT OR MORTGAGE?
The Long Island Council of Churches and other local agencies have received funds for rent and mortgage assistance under the American Renewal and Recovery Act, the economic stimulus bill that Congress passed recently. This allows us to help many more people than in previous years - including, for the first time, those who are unemployed but not more than two months behind on their rent. This Emergency Food & Shelter Program, administered locally by United Way, can pay rent or mortgage for a month or two for those who meet complex federal criteria. The rules for requesting this assistance are complex, so it is necessary to call for an appointment either in Riverhead (631-727-2210) or Hempstead (516-565-0290). If neither location is convenient for you, we would be glad to tell you where else you can apply.
Applicants need to bring:
- 2 forms of identification,
- lease or current mortgage statement,
- proof of ability to make future rent/mortgage payments, such as 2 recent pay stubs or proof of receiving unemployment insurance,
- a co-payment of at least 10% of the rent/mortgage, and
- DSS determination letter (a.k.a., "denial letter") not more than 30 days old unless you are a:
- single client with income of more than 125% of the poverty level,
- SSI recipient eligible for EAA,
- client with income over the DSS cap, or
- client needing current month's rent.
Clients with young children living at home should apply first to the Department of Social Service for EAF.
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NEED A GUEST PREACHER?
- 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, one of the LICC's chaplains, is available for guest preaching. You can reach him at 516-794-4505.
- Neelofer Chaudry, the LICC's Advocacy Director, is happy to speak about the MICAH anti-hunger campaign. She can be reached at liccmicah@aol.com or 631-650-2318.
- Chaplain Wally Merna, the manager of our Freeport food pantry, is licensed in the United Church of Christ to preach and administer sacraments. You can reach him at 516-458-1360 or chaplainwally@gmail.com.
- The Rev. Dr. Cecily Broderick y Guerra, Vice-President for Pastoral Care of Episcopal Health Services and a member of the LICC Pastoral Care Committee is available for guest preaching. She can be reached at 718-869-7835 or cbroderi@ehs.org.
- The Rev. Yuri Ando, who is ordained in the United Methodist Church and trained in Gestalt Pastoral Care, is available for pulpit supply in Suffolk and occasionally in Nassau. Please call her at 631-744-4836 or email at ymando@optonline.net
- Pastor Emilce Erato of Iglesia Luterana de la Resurrection in Uniondale, is available for guest preaching on Sunday mornings or other times that do not conflict with her worship service on Sunday at 1:00. 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 516-770-2494.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 reach him at 516-610-1000.
- 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 a 631-928-4317 or lyonheifer@aol.com.
- Kathy Burton, the Church World Service associate director for Long Island, is available for guest-speaking and preaching. You can reach her at 860-598-9194, 888-297-2767, or kburton@churchworldservice.org.
- 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.
- Imam Khalid Lateef is available for guest preaching and for lectures on topics such as
- The difference between Farakhan's Nation of Islam and the religion of Al-Islam.
- The need for Muslims to support vs. "tolerate" the religious beliefs of others.
- The effects of Racialism on Islam and the Human Family.
- The United State's diversity as the best example and hope for the Human Family.
- The divisive effects of the narrow promotion of religious dogma, with claims of exclusivity.
- The influence of traditions, culture and nationalism on the way people practice "Islam".
- The practice of "Islam" with a focus on "academics" (learning to speak Arabic, memorizing volumes of Hadith, etc.) vs. character development (practicing the "do's and don'ts" from the Holy Quran).
You can reach him at 631-586-0875 (h), (516-316-577 (c), or kslateef@aol.com.
- 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.
- 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. Stefanie Regis is available for guest preaching and interim ministry. You can reach her at 516-520-9292 or seviregis@msn.com.
- 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.
- Kirby Einhorn from Long Island Wins, a communications and education campaign focused on immigration issues on Long Island, would be glad to speak in local congregations about how to solve problems created by our failed national immigration laws and how to prevent hate crimes in our communities. You can contact her at kirbyliw@gmail.com or visit www.longislandwins.com
- 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.
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ARE WE SENDING YOU THIS NEWSLETTER BY MISTAKE?
We had a minor glitch recently with our database and lost a few recent additions and deletions to our mailing list. If you are not receiving the printed Prelude and want to get it, please let us know. Please let us know, also, if you would like us to send the emailed updates to another address, prefer to get only the monthly emailed newsletter rather than these weekly updates, prefer that we snail-mail the printed version of The Prelude, or if someone gave us an incorrect address and you have no idea why you are getting this newsletter. Thanks!
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ADVERTISING IN THE PRELUDE
Each month we mail about 3000 copies of our newsletter The Prelude to the clergy leaders and lay leaders of 1350 faith organizations. We also email this newsletter to 2200 religious leaders and post it on our Web site (www.liccny.org), which receives more than 2000 visitors each month. Filled with timely articles, news briefs, updates and notices affecting Long Island's communities and churches and the wider world, The Prelude is a must read for all who would "work together to improve Long Island and promote interfaith understanding and cooperation." The LICC accepts paid sponsorship ads, display ads and simple listings (classifieds). Advertising in The Prelude is a great way to reach clergy, lay leaders, and volunteers in Long Island's congregations. To receive a "media kit" with advertising rates, copy requirements, and copy deadlines, please call 516-565-0290 or email tomgoodhue@optonline.net. Congregations that join the LICC and groups that join the Friends of the LICC receive a free classified ad in thanks for paying their annual dues.
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ADS & ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Religious Educators Sought
The Interfaith Community is looking for both Jewish and Christian educators for a 12-session course (Oct – May) taught on Sunday mornings in Port Washington. This is a unique opportunity to team teach a course which educates children about both their traditions in a respectful and non-doctrinaire way. Pay is competitive. Basic lessons plans are provided.
For more information, call 212-870-2544, email info@interfaithcommunity.org, or visit www.interfaithcommunity.org.
Church School Director Sought
The Caroline (Episcopal) Church in Setauket is seeking a qualified person to supervise our Sunday School program for children and teens. About 15 hours per week. Reply to Fr. Richard Visconti, Rector at rvisconti@carolinechurch.net or 631-941-4245.
Assistant to the Pastor Sought
1st Presbyterian Church of Smithtown is seeking an assistant to the pastor, about 25 hours/week (hours negotiable) to assist with pastoral care and worship leadership and planning; and to staff the Board of Deacons, the Adult Education and Youth Committees. They are seeking:
- Someone who enjoys team ministry and faith community
- Someone who has a contagious faith in Jesus Christ
- Someone who can laugh easily at the ironies and quirks of ministry
- Someone who encourages others and appreciates the support of the congregation
- Someone who is willing to try something different as well as take part in the more traditional aspects of church life.
For a full job description, visit www.fpcsmithtown.net.
Organist/Choir Director Sought
Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church in Syosset is seeking an Organist/Choir Director to play two Sunday morning services (one during the summer) and special services in accordance with ELCA tradition. Proficiency in organ, piano and keyboard playing required along with choral directing of adult and youth choirs. Bell choir experience a plus. The organ is a Two-Manual plus pedal Boseman-Gibson tracker organ, with three divisions of speaking pipes, Great: 56 notes, manual II, Chair: 56 notes, manual I. Pedal: 30 notes radiating & concave. Please e-mail resume with references to faithlutheran@optonline.net or call the church office at 516-921-3330 for further information.
Swap Day July 11 in Malverne - 9 am to 2 pm
We’re cleaning our closets, basements, attics, and garages and we have lots of good stuff to swap.
If you need clothing, toys, household items, almost anything, come to our Swap Day.
No money changes hands!
We are letting go of things we don’t need, so come and take what you need.
Where: Community Presbyterian Church of Malverne
12 Nottingham Road, Malverne, NY
For more information, call 516 599-3220
Mary’s Manor Enriched Housing
SENIORS: Don’t miss your chance to move into a great new home!
Catholic Charities is proud to announce availability at our state of the art Enriched Housing Program in Inwood, (Five Towns) Nassau County, NY. We are currently accepting applications for our innovative and inclusive program, which is available exclusively to seniors who are SSI eligible (Supplemental Security Income) or are on SSI, are 65 years of age or older, and need minimum supportive care in the activities of daily living.
Benefits:
- Nutritious meals served each day in our lovely dining room.
- Personal Care Aides available.
- Lots of daily activities, entertainment, and recreation in a community setting.
- Safe environment with 24 hour supervision
If you are interested and would like to apply, please contact: Eileen Armstrong Larney, Telephone (516) 371-1376 or (516) 733-7076, e-mail: Armstrong-larney.eileen@catholiccharities.cc
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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.
The Rev. Thomas W. 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.liccny.org
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