TABLE OF CONTENTS
From Our Executive Director:
ASKING FOR HELP
For the past 17 years or so, yours truly has represented the LICC on the Board of the Long Island Housing Partnership, which is the biggest builder of affordable/workforce/next-generation homes in our region. It is certainly a worthwhile organization, one whom we have worked with closely: advocating smart growth development, educating folks about how to manage their money and avoid predatory lenders, referring people to them for mortgage counseling and foreclosure prevention, and helping clergy find a place they can afford on Long Island. I bring home from nearly every meeting of their Board some new idea for how we as people of faith can do something to help our families, friends, and fellow worshipers to get a decent home hereabouts, but I don't often leave with marching orders for my next sermon.
At one recent meeting, though, we discussed how we might help the wave of people who are getting into financial trouble, often as a result of taking out sub-prime loans and adjustable-rate mortgages that are now being "re-pegged" at much higher interest rates. Mary Reid said bluntly, "We need clergy to speak from the pulpit about asking for help before it is too late, about not being so embarrassed about falling behind in mortgage payments that they wait until it is too late before admitting they have a problem."
We also need lots of other people to pass the same message to their relatives, friends, and neighbors. One church that has done this is Harvest Christian Bible Church, a Baptist congregation in Central Islip. The LICC has already done two of our lending/finance seminars there and has two more scheduled for June 9 and September 8, where all are welcome. Details on these presentations can be found elsewhere in this issue.
Many years ago I wrote a bit of theology about shame and embarrassment. Both preachers and therapists have long made a distinction between appropriate guilt (feeling bad because you have done something truly bad) and feeling guilt inappropriately about something that is not actually bad. For the first, you need forgiveness. For the second, you need therapy. We should make a similar distinction, I think, between appropriate shame over failing to do something good you could have done and inappropriate embarrassment over your inability to do something that is beyond your power.
It may be perfectly "normal" to feel ashamed if you are having trouble paying bills because you have lost your job, had huge medical bills, or been dumped by a spouse who has run off with his/her tootsie, but it is also perfectly inappropriate. It is the bum who left you who should be embarrassed, along with any politicians who block universal health coverage. Yet nearly all of us get conned into thinking that it is our fault if we do not all manage to be independent, self-made, self-reliant winners in an economy based on relentless competition, and this is just nuts.
We are probably the least self-sufficient of all species on God's good earth, less equipped at birth for independent survival than anyone else in all creation. None of us would have lived through infancy had we not been loved and cared for by someone else. We would never have gone to school if someone else had not paid for our education. You and I would be even more screwed up than we are if it had not been for Sunday School teachers, clergy, and mentors who guided us. And we would have descended completely into madness long ago if we were completely cut off from all other people. Your family and friends may drive your crazy sometimes, but over the long run you need them to stay sane. We have all come this far by grace, by love we cannot earn that God freely gives us.
So tell your flock - or urge your pastor/priest/rabbi/imam/whatever to tell them - that we need one another and that we will all need help sometimes and that only real cowards are afraid to admit that we have problems and flaws and things we still need to learn. And that asking for help with family finances or any other challenge is a sign of strength, not weakness.
Shalom/Salaam/Shanti/Pax,
Tom
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DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
Sara C. Weiss, Director of Development
We thank the following for their generous support during the month of April (we prepare our copy a month before publication), and for the blessings these gifts bring to our needy clients:
| Astoria Federal Savings | $2,500 Predatory Lending Prevention |
| Bellport United Methodist Church | $550 Emergency Food, Unrestricted |
| Congregational Church of Manhasset | $500 Unrestricted |
| First Presbyterian Church Southold | $800 Unrestricted |
| Garden City Community Church | $2,000 Emergency Food, Unrestricted |
| Roslyn Presbyterian Church | $750 Emergency Food & Social Services |
| United Methodist Church (Bellmore) | $606 Unrestricted |
| United Way of Long Island | $1,491 Monthly Allocation |
| United Way of Long Island | $730.62 Special Distribution |
We also thank a board member for her unrestricted gift of $500, and we thank the many other individuals who gave but asked that we don’t publish their names. We also thank the institutions that gave less than $500. We are grateful for all of these gifts, each and every one of which enables us to continue our mission to serve Long Islanders in need.
Most Urgent Need
Our prescription assistance grant from the Suffolk Health Improvement Partnership (SHIP) ran out at the end of February. Since then we’ve had 15 clients come to our Riverhead center for help with prescriptions they cannot afford. They come from places like Stony Brook Hospital and Southside Hospital, from which they were discharged with prescriptions but no money to pay for them. Others were referred to us by local churches. We had no funds to help them.
One of the worst cases was a man who has kidney failure. He isn’t old enough to qualify for Medicare and he’s trapped in the 45-day waiting period between the time he applied for Medicaid and his benefits come through. He had no money to pay for the prescriptions he desperately needed, so he ended up in the hospital where he received dialysis that saved his life.
Another was a woman who developed an infection after she hurt her toe. Because she had no money to pay for the antibiotics she was supposed to take, the infection became a lot worse and she was in danger of losing her toe. She came to us for prescription assistance but we couldn’t help her either.
Two gifts of $500 each would enable us to help both these people and between two and four others. When we were able to provide prescription assistance, prescriptions were averaging between $125 and $150 each. To help all 15 clients, we would need a total of $2,250. If ten people could give $225 each, we could help all 15.
New Website Address
We’ve simplified our website address. You can now access it at: www.liccny.org If you have bookmarked our old website address, you can still access it through that address.
ANNUAL MEETING HONOREES
| DONOR | INSTITUTION | AMOUNT | FOR
| Denomination of the Year | The Presbytery of Long Island | $10,850 | Emergency Food, General Operating |
| Congregation of the Year | Garden City Community Church | $8,200 | Emergency Food, General Operating |
| Foundation of the Year | Newsday Charities, McCormick Tribune Foundation | $48,000 | Family Support/Social Services |
| Going the Extra Mile | L.I. Community Foundation – the Rhodebeck Long Island Fund | $20,000 in 2007 | Freeport Emergency Food Center |
| Corporation of the Year | Bank of America | $10,000 | Predatory Lending Prevention Education |
| Agency of the Year #1 | Nassau County Bar Association, WE CARE Advisory Board | $20,000 | Emergency Food, Nassau County |
| Agency of the Year #2 | Suffolk Health Improvement Partnership (LIJ Health System) | $20,000 | Prescription assistance, Suffolk County |
| Volunteer of the Year | John Bendick | | Outstanding dedication |
| Life-time Achievement for Volunteer Service | Don Neugebauer (Community Presbyterian Church in Malverne) | | Outstanding dedication |
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LICC BOARD AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Elected at our May 2007 Annual Meeting:
| Allen, Charles Mr. Denom Rep | St. John’s United Methodist Elmont |
| Bakker, Rev. Pamela Spence President | Community Presbyterian, Massapequa |
| Beckmann, Msgr. Donald Participant/Observer | Diocese of Rockville Centre |
| Canty, Ms. Suzanne Personnel Chair | Good Shepherd Lutheran, Roosevelt |
| Dewar, Ms. Mary Public Issues Chair | Garden City Community Church |
| Goodman, Mr. Richard Denom Rep/Secretary | Religious Society Of Friends |
| Harris, Rev. Keith Denom. Rep | Jackson Memorial AME Zion, Hempstead |
| Hausch, Esq., Adrienne Flipse At Large Member | Douglaston Reformed Church |
| Hedberg, Mr. Charles (Chic) Denom Rep | United Methodist, Westhampton Beach |
| Hoyer, Deacon Fran Pastoral Care Comm. Chair | Christ Lutheran Church, East Northport |
| Hulsey, Rev. James Denom Rep\Development Committee Chair | First Presbyterian, Smithtown |
| Jagger, Ms. Glena Eastern Area Committee Chair | Southampton United Methodist Church |
| King, Rev. Jack Finance Chair | Setauket United Methodist Church |
| Lay, Rev. Harold Denom Rep | Parkway Community Church, Levittown |
| MacMillan, Mr. Richard Western Area Chair | Wantagh Memorial Congregational Church |
| Nelson, Rev. Kenneth Past President | Hood Memorial AME Zion, Oyster Bay |
| Newcomb, Ms. Deedee Denom Rep | First Congregational Church, Riverhead |
| Rasmussen, Rev. A. Erik Vice President | Bellport United Methodist Church |
| Reich, Mr. Werner Multi-Faith Forum Rep | Temple Beth David, Commack |
| Visconti, Rev. Richard Denom Rep | The Caroline Church, Setauket |
| DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE – James Hulsey, Chairperson |
| Bakker, Rev. Pamela Spence | Community Presbyterian, Massapequa |
| Boerner, Henry (Hank) | Old Steeple Community Church |
| Hulsey, Rev. James | First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown |
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| EASTERN AREA STEERING COMMITTEE – Chair, Glena Jagger |
| Fein, Mr. Guy | Plainview Reformed Church | Class of 2010 |
| Crump, Rev. Mary Helen | Cutchogue United Methodist Church | Class of 2010 |
| Dozier, Rev. Marvin | Unity Baptist Church. Mattituck | Class of 2010 |
| Jagger, Ms. Glena | Southampton United Methodist Church | Class of 2010 |
| Newcomb, Ms.Deedee | First Congregational Church, Riverhead | Class of 2010 |
| Rubert, Ms. Mary C. | St. John the Evangelist Church, Riuverhead | Class of 2010 |
| Coverdale, Rev. Charles | First Baptist Church, Riverhead | Class of 2009 |
| DeArmitt, Rev. Lorraine | Southold United Methodist Church | Class of 2009 |
| Samuels, Ms. Helen | Mount Sinai Congregational Church | Class of 2009 |
| Hedberg, Mr. Charles (Chic) & Greta | Beach UMC, Westhampton Beach | Class of 2008 |
| Hooks Sr., Rev. Marvin | St. Mary’s AMEZ Church, Medford | Class of 2008 |
| McConnell, Mr. Steve | 1st Presbyterian Church, Southold | Class of 2008 |
| Agria, Mr. John | 1st Presbyterian Church, Southold | Class of 2008 |
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| FINANCE COMMITTEE – Chair, Rev. Jack King |
| Prill, Rev. Kenneth W. | Center Moriches United Methodist | Class of 2010 |
| Riss, Rev. Tim | Hicksville United Methodist | Class of 2010 |
| Hannon, Mr. Gerard | Christ Church, Oyster Bay | Class of 2009 |
| King, Rev. Jack | Setauket United Methodist Church | Class of 2008 |
| Lewandowski, Mr. Henry | St. Agnes Cathedral | Class of 2008 |
| |
| PASTORAL CARE – Chair, Deacon Fran Hoyer |
| Broderick-Guerra, Rev. Dr. Cecily | Episcopal Health Service | Class of 2010 |
| Wharton, Jonathon | LI Juvenile Corrections Fellowship | Class of 2010 |
| Anspach, Rev. Bruce | West Hills United Methodist | Class of 2010 |
| Hoyer, Deacon Fran | Christ Lutheran, East Northport | Class of 2009 |
| Kim, Rev. Young Shik | Bellmore United Methodist Church | Class of 2009 |
| Lewis, Pastor Nigel E. | Ebenezer Seventh-Day Adventist | Class of 2009 |
| Regan, Patricia | Long Beach Hospital | Class of 2009 |
| Robinson, Ms. Isadora | Ebenezer Seventh Day Adventist | Class of 2008 |
| Smith, Ms. Michele | Farmingville UCC | Class of 2008 |
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| PERSONNEL COMMITTEE – Chair, Ms. Suzanne Canty |
| Johns, Rev. Dick | St Mark's United Methodist Church | Class of 2010 |
| Russo, Ms. Ann | St. Thomas More, Hauppauge | Class of 2010 |
| Canty, Ms. Suzanne | Good Shepherd Lutheran, Roosevelt | Class of 2009 |
| Nelson, Rev. Kenneth | Hood Memorial AME Zion | Class of 2009 |
| Campbell, Mr. Harold | Setauket Presbyterian | Class of 2008 |
| |
| PUBLIC ISSUES COMMITTEE – Chair, Mary Dewar |
| Koubek, Mr. Richard | Catholic Charities | Class of 2010 |
| Ratzlaff, Rev. Paul | Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Huntington | Class of 2010 |
| Lyon, Mr. Tom | Mt. Sinai Congregational Church | Class of 2010 |
| Branch, Ms. Gwendolyn | 1st Baptist Church Riverhead | Class of 2010 |
| Goodman, Mr. Richard | Religious Society of Friends | Class of 2009 |
| Veech, Ms. Christine | 1st Presbyterian Church, Smithtown | Class of 2009 |
| Dewar, Ms. Mary | Garden City Community Church | Class of 2008 |
| Johnson, Rev. Paul | Unitarian Universalist Congregation | Class of 2008 |
| Purvis, Dr. Eugene | Conference Evangelist (AMEZ) | Class of 2008 |
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| WESTERN AREA STEERING COMMITTEE – Chair, Richard MacMillan |
| Hausch, Rev. Adrienne Flipse | Douglaston Reformed Church | Class of 2010 |
| Graziano, Martha | Catholic Charities, Western Vicarate | Class of 2010 |
| Swensen, Rev. Larry | People’s Church, Long Beach | Class of 2010 |
| Schaffer, Rev. Nancy | United Church of Christ | Class of 2010 |
| Hosmer, Rev. Barbara | 1st Presbyterian Church, Pt. Jefferson | Class of 2009 |
| MacMillan, Richard & Grace | Wantagh Memorial UCC | Class of 2009 |
| Hopkins, Rev. Jonathan | New Hope Lutheran Church, Valley Stream | Class of 2009 |
| Harris, Rev. Keith | Jackson Memorial AME Zion, Hempstead | Class of 2008 |
| Only, Rev. James | Congregational Church of Manhasset | Class of 2008 |
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FROM THE LONG ISLAND MULTI-FAITH FORUM: The Tree of Faith
By Erik Larson
The representatives of the numerous faith traditions which make up the Long Island Multi-Faith Forum are invited to various and assorted gatherings to talk about their different traditions. This diverse and amicable group can be amazing and impressive to those who are not familiar with these different traditions, either separately or when together. When the different faiths do come together, an oft-asked question is, “ How do you get along with each other so well?”
This question was recently asked in the Learning Center of the New York Conference Center of the United Methodist Church. In the corner was a large brown paper display of a mature strong tree. Using the display, we offered: “Our group can be understood like that tree. We see ourselves as different branches with unique and distinct parts of the whole and coming from the same seed.
“The tree is made up of a variety of different parts, playing different roles in the overall health and beauty of the tree. Each branch or leaf takes sustenance from the roots which all came from the one seed.
“In the same way, the source of all religions is ‘God’, with each branch connecting differently, but similarly, to that source. Exclusivity or comparison is unnecessary as only certain leaves are sustained through its branch while other leaves are sustained by a totally different branch as well, too.
“The beauty of the tree is in its fullness and completeness with all the distinct parts coming together. The essence is in the seed but the expression is in the expansion. All parts of the tree are interconnected and something that happens to one part of the tree affects the whole tree.”
At the Long Island Multi-Faith Forum, we see our neighbors as a very important part of the community, whatever their faith.
TREES
I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.
A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the earth's sweet flowing breast;
A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;
A tree that may in Summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;
Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.
Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.
-- Joyce Kilmer
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WORTH QUOTING
Resurrection & Religious Freedom
“The first Congregationalists in America, better known as the ‘Puritans,’ set out to create what they called a ‘city on a hill’ where they could freely practice their religion without fear of persecution and set up a society based on what they understood as the highest standards of biblically-based morality. The colony they built on the shores of Massachusetts Bay, however, though it had much to be proud of, fell a bit short of the ‘New Jerusalem’ its founders had envisioned. Religious freedom, for example, was only for those who would embrace the Puritan’s understanding of Christianity. Others were expelled, persecuted, and even hanged. In terms of its moral behavior, the colony behaved towards the natives no better than any other colony and worse than some…
"It is an easy trap to fall into, even for the best of us. We can easily forget that the resurrection promises us not just a new location or another chance to do things the same old way or our chance to finally be in charge; rather it is about an offer of transformation, a chance for fallen, sinful people to be made into a new creation.”
--the Rev. Mark Lukens, Bethany Congregational Church, East Rockaway
The Bell Tower April 2007 (used with permission)
Real Courage
“A leader must have courage….Swagger isn’t courage. Tough talk isn’t courage….Courage in the twenty-first century doesn’t mean posturing and bravado. Courage is a commitment to sit down at the negotiating table and talk.”
--Lee Iacocoa (with Catherine Whitney), Where Have All the Leaders Gone?
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WORTH WATCHING: “PICTURING MARY” ON WLIW/21
PICTURING MARY airs Wednesday, June 6, at 8 pm on WLIW/21 with live in-the-studio guests: Executive Producer Dr. William F. Baker and the Museum of Biblical Art’s Executive Director, Dr. Ena Heller. This beautifully filmed documentary takes viewers from ancient times to the present, surveying art inspired by the mother of Jesus. Visiting museums, chapels and cathedrals in eight countries to view rare and sacred masterpieces in their original locations, we see how Mary has inspired some of the finest achievements in painting, architecture, poetry and music. From tiny keepsakes to giant mosaics, artists including Michelangelo, Rembrandt and Caravaggio portrayed Mary as the sublime embodiment of womanhood, endowing her with all of humanity’s virtues, joys and sorrows. Drawing on various faiths and traditions, the special demonstrates, through local life and culture, how these images are as relevant to the faithful now as they were hundreds of years ago. Narrated by actress Jane Seymour, with readings by her husband, the actor James Keach, Picturing Mary is well worth watching. For our Executive Director’s full review of the program click here. (Click on the image to enlarge it.)
Corrections: Jehovah’s Witnesses & “SEPTEMBER DAWN”
Last month in my review of the excellent PBS documentary “Knocking” I expressed amazement that, “Each year, 30,000 Witnesses are ejected or dis-fellowshiped for offenses such as observing Mother’s Day, but Michael Jackson was a member in good standing.” A careful reader of The Prelude asks, “Are you sure you are right? Didn’t they force him out?” The answer to this turns out to be far from clear. Some sources report that he remains a Witness, while others note that he has flirted with the Nation of Islam. He also worshiped at an AME church in Los Angeles, something few JWs would do.
The premiere of the movie September Dawn, reviewed in the May Prelude, has been delayed until June 22.
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ARE YOU DROWNING IN DEBT? HOW TO FIND HELP
There are plenty of “rescue specialists” and other evil people ready to prey on people in financial trouble, offering a way out of debt but more likely to make a quick buck off your misery and take your home. Fortunately there is help from legitimate not-for-profit agencies and genuine credit counselors.
The Long Island Housing Partnership offers a free foreclosure prevention program (called HEMAP) for people who are not more than 12 months behind in mortgage payments.
AARP recommends the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (800-388-2227/ www.nfcc.org) and Association of Independent Consumer Credit Counseling Agencies (800-450-1794/www.aiccca.org).
Would your congregation, agency, or community group like some help in sorting out personal finances? The Long Island Council of Churches offers seminars on how to manage your money well--and not get ripped off. Our presentations usually run an hour to 90 minutes, and we will tailor it to the needs of your audience, such as a shorter program for a college class, campus ministry group, or youth group and their parents. The LICC will arrange speakers, educational materials, and other freebies. There is no charge for this program. 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, Ridgewood Savings Bank, and Wells Fargo Home Mortgage for making it possible for the Long Island Council of Churches to provide this free program.
Each presentation is shaped around the needs of the audience and we are prepared to address a wide variety of topics. Here are some we have dealt with recently that might be of interest to students and their parents:
- How to shop for a good loan
- How to get a good deal on checking and savings accounts and other financial services
- How to manage credit cards and other forms of credit
- How to “repair” a bad credit history
- How to reduce expenses on things you think are essential.
- How to convert a loan you already have into a better deal.
- How to talk with your kids (or your parents) about how they manage their money.
We have speakers who can handle a variety of languages. 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.
You might also want to visit a seminar offered near you. All are invited, for example, to Harvest Christian Bible Church in Central Islip, 295 Half Mile Road, Saturday morning, June 9, from 10 to noon. It will cover such topics as how to get out of a loan you think was a bad deal, and how to avoid mortgage delinquency or foreclosure. Speakers will include attorney Sal Melli, Kisha Wright from the Long Island Housing Partnership, Rich Murphy from Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, and representative from Citi Mortgage and other legitimate, regulated lenders.
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IDEAS YOU CAN USE:
A Great Way to Teach Tolerance
Rather than having a bland let’s-all-be-tolerant lesson, why not ask students to collect examples of unconscious stereotyping from the media and put together a display that would educate both them and others (their parents, their congregation, the editorial board of a newspaper, etc.) about what the students see. We see headlines, LICC Board member Werner Reich points out, referring to “Islamic Terrorists” or “Sikh businessman” but never see terrorists or Enron executives labeled Christian or Jewish in photo captions.
Go Visit!
At the LICC’s recent Annual Convocation at 1st Baptist Church in Riverhead, the Rev. Bill Wendler told how his congregation, Carpenter Memorial United Methodist Church in Glen Cove, prepared for cooperative ministry by “field trips” once every month in which the whole congregation visited nearby worship services together.
Mt. Sinai Congregational Church (UCC) likewise takes their confirmands to every nearby house of worship to help them understand better their own worship services and those of other traditions.
Bellmore Presbyterian Church wanted to take a youth group to visit Jewish, Muslim and Sikh houses of worship but discovered that Sunday afternoon was not a convenient time to visit for some faith communities. Cheryl Bennett wonders if the LIMFF might gather and disseminate information about which houses of worship would welcome visitors of others faiths, when would be a good time to come, and who the best contact person would be. Would you like to offer your church, synagogue, mosque, gurudwara, temple or fellowship as a place to visit? If so, what are good times to come and whom should we list as contact people?
Here are some early offers:
- Moses Birnbaum has offered Plainview Jewish Center. The best times for school groups to visit would be Mondays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., when their religious school is in session. Teenagers might want to come Sunday evenings when their youth group meets. Call 516-938-8610.
- The Mother House of the Dominican Sisters of Amityville would be glad to welcome ecumenical/interfaith visitors at 555 Albany Avenue. Sister Gina Fleming, OP, director of Youth Ministry, is the contact person. Her phone number is 631-842-6000, ext. 308. 10am to 4pm, from Monday thru Friday would probably be the best for group visits
- St. Paul Greater Faith Church would welcome interfaith visitors at their worship services 11:45 am on Sunday mornings or at an afternoon service, which they have once or twice a month. They are located on the top floor of 45 Church Street, between Sunrise & Merrick. The contact person is Bishop Elect Howard Kennedy (516) 867-0851 or church administrator Elder Latresse Pickett (631) 838-5160.
- Christ Church in Garden City recommends these places, where they have taken students:
- Hindu temple on Bowne St. in Flushing, Queens (Sunday is a very busy, crowded and colorful time there, with lots of chanting; I think the director there would give an explanatory tour. Call 718-460-8484. (They also recommend the Dosa Hut next door for good, cheap Indian food, and the temple canteen is reputedly even better.)
- Theravada Thai Buddhist temple in Jackson Heights, Queens (we've gone on Sundays about 5pm) - 718-803-9881. They should ask for an English-speaking monk (usually only one) on the phone, and arrange for a visit. I usually have the monk guide the group in 10 minutes of meditation (to show these smart-ass kids what hard work meditation can be) in their rooftop sanctuary, after explaining Buddhist principles.
- Islamic Center in Westbury is very welcoming, though I think the best time to go is for Friday afternoon prayers (the discussion afterward is usually over a delicious Middle Eastern lunch they provide) - tough to arrange during the school year. (I took a truncated group one Friday after Thanksgiving) Maybe in summer? They do have Sunday educational activities, but these may end by afternoon. There is an occasional evening invitational dinner for non-Muslims, especially towards end of Ramadan. Best is to call Dr. Faroque Khan directly at 516-932-7170.
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DID YOU KNOW?
Health & Welfare Council Honors LICC Executive Director
The Health & Welfare Council of Long Island will honor the Rev. Tom Goodhue, Executive Director of the Long Island Council of Churches, at its June 8 Annual Meeting with the Sandy Lenz Award for Community Service. The HWC writes that:
“In 1979 the Health and Welfare Council established its first community service award in memory of former Board member, President and long time advocate for the poor, Sanford V. Lenz. We memorialize Sandy not only for his concrete contributions in the development of a Long Island human service network, but also for the manner in which he expressed his love and concern for all people.
"This year, Council is proud to present the 2007 Sandy Lenz Award to Rev. Thomas Goodhue, the Executive Director of the Long Island Council of Churches. Over the past decade Tom has distinguished himself as the region’s most significant and resourceful leader in Long Island’s services for the hungry, homeless and imprisoned. We applaud Tom and his staff at the Council for their exceptional contributions and service to Long Islanders most in need.”
Ecumenical Vacation Bible School
Churches in the Three Villages are once again cooperating to offer Ecumenical Vacation Bible School to their communities. The theme this year is “Exploring the Bible Reef” and this VBS will be the week of July 23 at the Caroline Church in Setauket. There may still be time to sign up your child if you act quickly. And both teenagers and adults are welcome to volunteer.
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NEEDED/OFFERED
Offered:
- Help Avoiding Foreclosure:
- With record numbers of homeowners at risk of losing their homes as their Adjustable Rate Mortgages are “re-pegged” at much higher interest rates, Suffolk County has established a Foreclosure Prevention Hotline (631-853-4800) to help residents find counseling, low-interest bridge loans, and other assistance in avoiding foreclosure.
- Help Preparing for a Hurricane:
- With the upcoming hurricane season approaching, the Suffolk County Office of Emergency Management is offering presentations to the community upon request. The topics include information on the Suffolk County sheltering program, pet friendly shelters, special needs shelters, Joint Emergency Evacuation Program, evacuations and other useful emergency preparedness information. If you would like to host a presentation, please phone 631-852-4900.
- New video in the LICC lending library at the Presbytery:
- “Knocking” — the recent PBS documentary about the Jehovah’s Witnesses, reviewed in our May newsletter.
- Free Rack Cards: Introducing Islam in 600 Words:
- The Wisdom Fund if giving away their new rack cards “The Truth About Islam." First published in 1995, “The Truth About Islam,” which has been called the "best, short introduction to Islam,” has been displayed in Washington Metrorail, and published in Foreign Affairs, The Brown Journal of World Affairs, Washington Report On Middle East Affairs, Teacher Magazine, The Washington Times, Islamic Horizons, etc. To order the cards, send a stamped (1 oz), self-addressed, business size envelope (4 1/8 by 9 1/2 inch) to:
The Wisdom Fund
Attn: Rack Cards
P. O. Box 2723
Arlington, VA 22202
This free offer is valid only within the United States. You can view, print, and download the electronic version of the rack cards by visiting http://www.twf.org/Truth.html.
- Affordable Coops in Hempstead:
- Homes are still available at affordable prices in a six-story cooperative residence located in the Village of Hempstead, near the Episcopal Cathedral of the Incarnation in Garden City. Cedar Valley is in the process of being thoroughly renovated and each unit will be sold at affordable prices. Spacious studio, one- and two-bedroom co-ops are being completely restored with new kitchens, bathrooms and carpeting. The monthly maintenance charges are a bit high, averaging $700-$1,200, due to high property taxes, but clergy may be able to get their taxes substantially reduced (thanks to a New York State law that compensates for the way parsons must pay double for Social Security) and seniors may be able to get a STAR exemption that will reduce their monthly costs. Here are the purchase prices:
- Studios (sales price does not exceed): $78,125
- One-Bedroom (sales price does not exceed): $120,625
- Two-Bedroom (sales price does not exceed): $145,000
For further information regarding Cedar Valley, please contact Nieves Mari at the Long Island Housing Partnership (631) 435-4710.
Needed:
- Western Nassau Hunger Walk Coordinator:
- Church World Service, the LICC’s ecumenical partner in disaster response and development work, needs a new coordinator for the Western Nassau CROP Walk, which raises money for both CWS and the LICC Emergency Food Program. Don Neugebauer from Community Presbyterian Church in Malverne, who has led the Walk for nearly two decades, would be glad to share his contacts, experience, wisdom, and encouragement with anyone willing to volunteer!
- Food Pantry Volunteers:
- The Long Island Council of Churches is looking for good, responsible students to volunteer in our emergency food centers in Riverhead and Freeport. This is a great opportunity to contribute to your community and to help the least fortunate among us.
Volunteers are needed to:
- Pack bags of food
- Receive food donations
- Stock food on shelves
- Answer telephone
- Assist with intake of clients picking up food
- Organize food collection drives in your local community
- Food Donations:
- Food donations usually slow down over the summer as our regular contributors go away on vacation, which is precisely the time when more children need emergency food since they lose the free lunches provided by their schools. The LICC needs all kinds of non-perishable food and we are particularly eager to receive baby formula, baby food, prenatal vitamins, and diapers. Do you have any of these that your children have outgrown? If so, we would be glad to take them at 407 Osborne in Riverhead, 450 North Main Street in Freeport, or our Hempstead office in Christ’s First Presbyterian Church. If you have lots to give, we would be glad to pick them up. Call Alaric Kennedy at 516-565-0290 for further information.
- Housing for CPE Students:
- Episcopal Health Services is seeking housing for Clinical Pastoral Education trainees this summer and fall. They need a short-term rental for CPE trainees, Anglican clergy from the Bahamas, who will be here July 2 to August 10. There probably will be 3 women and 1 man. These visiting priests would be happy to assist with worship while they are here. EHS also needs long-term housing for a woman who will arrive from Malaysia in late August 2007 with two teenage sons. She is coming for special training that will be completed in August 2008. If you can help with either need, please contact Larry Swensen at 718-869-7411 or lswensen@ehs.org.
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JUNE BLOOD DRIVES
We have not received any June donation dates from Long Island Blood Services, but if your congregation is having a blood drive we would be glad to publicize it.
The Community Church of Douglaston (39-50 Douglaston Parkway) is having its 4th Annual Richard D. Lynch Memorial Blood Drive on Thursday, June 14, 2007 from 3 to 8 PM. There is ample parking behind the church, which is located 1 block from the Douglaston station of the LIRR (Port Washington line). Call (718) 229-2169 to schedule an appointment.
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ADS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Job Opening: Administrative Assistant P/T
The Congregational Church of Patchogue is seeking a part-time administrative assistant. The ideal candidate for this part-time Monday-Friday position would be a “people person” with strong secretarial, office and computer skills. The position will be available 6/18/07. EOE Apply in confidence by Fax to 631-207-9470.
Social Justice Coordinator
The Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock in Manhasset is seeking a full-time social justice coordinator, preferably someone with a college degree, commitment to UU principles, and 3-5 years experience in a similar position or community organizing. For further information, contact Jeanne Judd at 516-671-0915 or jeanejudd@aol.com. Resumes should be mailed to the UUCSR at 48 Shelter Rock Road, Manhasset, NY 11030, attention: Jean Judd or faxed to 516-627-6596.
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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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