Many thanks to all of you who came to the Nassau County Legislature last Monday to ask them to restore and increase the amount of money they will reimburse us for the work the County asks us to do—which currently covers less than 40% of the cost our expenses and next year will cover less than 25%. Several of you who live in Nassau asked for bullet points that you can send to your county legislator. Here are the talking points I shared with them today, feel free to use them however you see fit: Nassau County needs to increase the amount of money budgeted to reimburse the Long Island Council of Churches for work performed under our contract with the Department of Social Services for the following reasons: *Each year DSS sends the LICC more people to assist. Last month they fed 1709 people just in Freeport, almost all of whom are awaiting public assistance, Medicaid, or SNAP benefits (food stamps). In addition, DSS sends many people for help with housing, utility bills, prescriptions, transportation and other problems whom they have not been able to help. *Each year, the contract covers less and less of the cost of the services they are asking the LICC to provide. The amount of expenses DSS will reimburse has not increased in 30 years and was actually cut 25% three years ago. The DSS budget for 2015 slashes reimbursement further, from $100,000 a year to $60,000. DSS says that it wants us to increase hours and locations at which food is available, both of which the LICC has done in recent years, but now is slashing the amount they are willing to reimburse. And the LICC still must pay the County rent for the dilapidated, leaking building where its Freeport pantry is located. *The LICC already operates on a shoestring, with only three part-time staff at the biggest pantry on Long Island, and only $100,000 in reimbursement this year. *The LICC must raise $160,000 this year to subsidize its work for DSS—beyond the new pledge of $40,000 a year from the Diocese of Long Island—and must find donations of more food each year. This is more money than they can hope to raise this year or next. With the County sending an ever-growing number of people to assist, the County should increase the amount it reimburses, not slash it. ECUMENICAL/INTERRELIGIOUS THANKSGIVING WORSHIP Does your community have an ecumenical (interdenominational) or interreligious worship service for Thanksgiving? Or Martin Luther King’s Birthday? Or the Week of Prayer? If so, we’d be glad to pass the word. Let me know if you’d like a copy of my tip sheet on planning such worship services or if you would like some suggestions of congregations to invite whom you may not know. The LICC’s Dialogue Committee also is encouraging churches to plan interreligious celebrations of Diwali next year. Let me know if you would like to take part in any such event. Here are some Thanksgiving services you still have a chance to catch: *Monday, Nov. 24, 7:30 p.m. First United Methodist Church of Amityville (25 Broadway/110, just north of Montauk Highway/27A) will host the County Line Cluster Thanksgiving service, with the offering going to the LICC food pantries and worshipers asked to also bring nonperishable food for our pantries. *Tuesday, Nov. 25, 7 p.m. Three Village Clergy Association Interreligious Thanksgiving Service will be hosted by St. James Catholic Church in Setauket, with a combined choir singing, and short reflections on Jewish, Christian, and Muslim Scripture readings, including one by the, Rev. Canon Richard Visconti, the Episcopal priest at the Caroline Church and co-chair of the LICC’s Dialogue Committee. *Tuesday, Nov. 25, 7:30 p.m, Uniondale Community Thanksgiving Service at Grace Cathedral, 886 Jerusalem Avenue, with the offering going to the LICC’s emergency food pantries. *Tuesday, Nov. 25, 7:30 p.m. Plainview Interfaith Thanksgiving Service at the Latter-Day Saints Stake at 160 Washington Avenue, with Christian, Jewish, Sikh, and Mormon congregations worshiping together. * Wednesday, Nov. 26, at at 7:30 p.m Franklin Square Clergy Association Thanksgiving service at Ascension Lutheran Church, located at 145 Franklin Avenue, with the offering going to the LICC food pantries. For more info, please call the Rev. Frank McElderry at 516-483-8650. *Wednesday, Nov. 26, at at 7:30 p.m. the United Methodist Church of Floral Park is hosting an Ecumenical Thanksgiving Eve Service at 35 Verbena Avenue. *Wednesday, Nov.26, 8 p.m. Wantagh Clergy Council’s 61st Annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Eve Service First Presbyterian Church of Levittown, 474 Wantagh Avenue. 
THANKSGIVING DINNERS *The LICC’s Thanksgiving Dinner is Tuesday Nov. 25, at 6 p.m. at Polish Hall(214 Marcy Avenue) in Riverhead. We need volunteers to at 1:00 to cook and folks to help cleanup at 7:00. Please note that this year, due to renovation work that is being done at Riverhead Middle School, we are at Polish Hall. We also need volunteers beforehand to haul donations. If you can help with any of these tasks, please call Carolyn Gumbs at 631-727-2210. *Bread & More INN is serving dinner on Wednesday, Nov. 26, from 5:30 to 6:30 at First Congregational Church of Riverhead (103 East Main Street). *Bethany Congregational Church is serving Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday, Nov. 27, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at 100 Main Street in East Rockaway. *Holy Name of Mary Church in Valley Stream offers a free Thanksgiving dinner in the Parish School Cafeteria on Thanksgiving day from 11:30am- 2:30pm, at 90 South Grove St, (entrance on East Jamaica Ave). RSVP required: 516-825-0177. 
FREE LEGAL CONSULTATIONS FOR RELIGIOUS LEADERS DEC. 8 Howard Capell, an attorney with extensive experience representing denominations and congregations, is volunteering his services at the LICC to provide one or two free legal consultations to religious leaders. He can discuss property matters, building use agreements, dealing with challenges to congregational tax exemption, and other such questions. He has some hour-long slots available in our Hempstead office on Monday, Dec. 8. To request an appointment, please call the LICC at 516-565-0290. And please bring your constitution and by-laws or your denominational rule book. He is also happy to do workshops for congregations, faith-based organizations, and other charities on how to comply with New York State’s new Nonprofit Revitalization Act. KNOW SOMEONE WHO NEEDS A BED OR A DRESSER? The Rev. Betsy Simpson, pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Glen Cove has a twin-size, Craftmatic adjustable bed, a dresser with a mirror, and a TV and TV stand to give away. They need to be picked picked up ASAP. If you know someone who could use these, please contact her at ekfsimpson@optonline.net or 516-656-9540 or 516-220-2280. HAVE CLOTHES YOU NO LONGER NEED? Please don’t bring any clothes to our Hempstead offices right now–but the Society of St. Vincent de Paul would be glad to take these items. We have a SVDP collection bin outside our Freeport emergency center at 450 N. Main Street and a new bin at our Riverhead office at 407 Osborne Avenue (at Lincoln) where you can drop off items anytime 24/7/365. Do you have room for a clothing collection bin at your congregation? Recycling clothes is good for planet, good for people who need inexpensive clothing, and generates much-needed revenue for the Society and the Council. For more information about the SVDP/LICC’s collection box placement, call Vincent Strynkowski at 516-822-3132, ext. 111. Here’s the new bin at First Parish Church in Riverhead (Northville): 
NEEDED THIS WEEK IN OUR FOOD PANTRIES The LICC particularly needs donations of turkeys, hams, and gravy in Freeport for Thanksgiving baskets. We also need Spanish-speaking volunteers in Freeport. We fed 1709 people in October, just in our Freeport pantry. In recent months we have had a growing number of requests for assistance from people who have had their SNAP (food stamp) benefits reduced due to Congressional budget cuts. If you have been collecting food or shopping bags for us, this would be a great time to donate them. Our Freeport pantry particularly needs vegetables, jelly, and pasta. Donations of food, personal care items, small household goods, and shopping bags can be dropped off in Freeport (450 N. Main Street, 516-868-498O9), Hempstead (in Christ’s 1st Presbyterian Church, 516-565-0290), and Riverhead (407 Osborne Avenue at Lincoln, 631-727-2210)—or brought to any LICC meeting. We are open Monday-Friday, 9:00 to 4:30 in Riverhead & Hempstead and 10 to 4 in Freeport—please call if you plan to come earlier or later. And, of course, monetary donations to support our emergency food centers would be greatly appreciated. These should be sent to The Long Island Council of Churches 1644 Denton Green Hempstead, NY 11550 Or call 516-565-0290 to charge your contribution to a credit card. You can also donate on-line through www.LICCDonate.org: 
Previously Posted UPDATE ON RENT & MORTGAGE ASSISTANCE To the best of our knowledge, no agency has any Emergency Food and Shelter Program funds remaining for rent, mortgage, or utility assistance–less money was received than in many previous years. The federal formula for determining which communities need assistance makes no sense to me. KNOW ANYONE WHO NEEDS CHILDREN’S CLOTHES? We have lots of children’s clothing to give away in Hempstead office. These can be picked up Monday-Friday, 9:00 to 4:30 at our Hempstead office in Christ’s 1st Presbyterian Church, 516-565-0290. MEDICAL SUPPLIES OFFERED The LICC’s office in Hempstead has received additional donations of medical equipment and supplies. We now have these items to give away: –portable potties, –knee and leg braces. –diabetes test strips. –lancets, –alcohol swabs, –a nebulizer, –crutches, –walkers –adult diapers & pads –oral swabs –drain sponges. These can be picked up Monday-Friday, 9:00 to 4:30 at our Hempstead office in Christ’s 1st Presbyterian Church, 516-565-0290. We also have some crutches and walkers to give away at our Freeport pantry, which can be picked up Monday-Friday, 11:00-4:00 at 450 N. Main Street, 516-868-4989. We’d be glad to share these with a medical equipment lending library. A list of these is included in our periodic e-blasts on free and inexpensive health care resources–more info on these can be found below. We also have many small household items to give away at all our locations. SPECIALIZED EMAIL LISTS We try not to bombard you with unwanted email, and we can’t afford to send out messages daily to all 3500 people on our email lists, so we have created some specialized lists dealing with particular topics. In addition to the ones we’ve mentioned before, which are listed below, would you like to receive info occasionally about any of these: Responding to AIDS, Environmental issues and Green living, Immigration issues, Peacemaking, and Workforce housing. Please let me know if you would like to be on any of these lists. And are we sending you duplicate copies of our newsletter? Would you prefer we use another address? Please let us know and we will make amends. If you would prefer the emailed newsletter rather than the printed Prelude (which are similar but not identical in content), just say the word. Also let us know if you would like to be on the email lists for our specialized postings, which are sent every week or two, which cover: –responding to Superstorm Sandy, –affordable housing options on Long Island –help with mortgage problems –free and cheap health care resources –information for seniors –all other sorts of assistance to those in need CARPET CLEANING NEEDED—OR CARPETING Our Hempstead office could use carpet cleaning by someone who knows what they are doing better than we do. Can you help with this? If so, please contact Yolanda Murray at liccmurray@yahoo.com or 516-565-0290. Or if you have a large carpet or rug to replace our 20 year old carpeting, that would be great, too! HAVE EXTRA CHAIRS? We could use a few plastic or vinyl covered chairs for the reception area of our Freeport pantry. These can be dropped off at 450 N. Main Street (516-868-4989) Monday through Friday, 10 to 4. HAVE A VAN TO DONATE? WANT TO HELP US BUY ONE? The van at our Riverhead pantry is nearing the end of its life. Do you have one you might be willing to donate? Can you help with occasionally picking up food donations and schlepping them to Riverhead? Or Freeport or Hempstead? Of course, it would be even better to have a new van. Want to contribute toward this? Please click here or visit http://www.liccdonate.org/collections/gmc-cargo-vanto read Don Metznik’s blog about how essential a vehicle is in feeding our neighbors in need. Or send a check to the LICC at 1644 Denton Green, Hempstead, NY 11550 or call 516-565-0290 to charge a donation to your credit card. Donations of either cash or a vehicle are tax-deductible. DOING A BLOOD DRIVE? We have not heard anything in months from Long Island Blood Services about any blood drives, but if your congregation is doing a collection and you send us the info, we’d be glad to pass the word. For more information about giving blood or how to organize a blood drive, please visit www.nybloodcenter.org or call 1-800-688-0900. HAVE FURNITURE TO DONATE? We have been receiving many requests for beds, sofas, and sofa beds. We do not have room to store these, but we maintain wish lists to match those who have spare furniture with those who need it. If you have furniture to offer in Nassau, please contact Yolanda Murray at liccmurray@yahoo.com or 516-565-0290. If you have furniture on the East End that you would be willing to donate, please email liccriverhead@optonline.net or call 631-727-2210. FREE BOOKS AND VIDEOS OFFERED The Parish Resource Center of Long Island has a new location at the Presbytery Center (42 Hauppauge Rd. in Commack, just east of Commack Rd.), where they are now open Tuesday through Friday from 10 to 3. The PRC is pruning the Presbytery’s old resource collection and has lots of great books and videos to give away, and you do not need to come while the PRC is open. The Presbytery is usually open Monday through Friday, 9 to 4, but it would be wise to call first (631 499-7171) if you plan to come when the PRC staff are not there. You can reach the PRC staff– Cathy Applewhite, Charlaine Apsel, Margaret Berglund, Debbie Kolacki & Karen Smith—at info@prcli.org or 631-486-4350. They would love to hear what you would like a new resource center to offer. TONER CARTRIDGES OFFERED The Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock in Manhasset has new toner cartridges for Canon ImageRUNNER series digital copiers to give away, free for the taking. For more info or to arrange a pickup, please contact Jen Sappell at 516-472-2980 or Jsappell@uucsr.org UPRIGHT PIANO OFFERED Rhonda Gordon has an upright piano, made by Hellet, Davis & Co. to give away, for the taking from her home in Stony Brook. If you are interested, please email 11rhondagordon11@gmail.com GRAND PIANO & FILING CABINETS OFFERED The Rev. Alfred Miller has a grand piano, two filing cabinets, and some furniture to give away, free for the taking from his home in Hempstead. If you are interested in any of these, please call him at 516-205-2075. ORGAN DONATION St. Joseph St. Thomas Roman Catholic Church on Staten Island has a Hammond organ, model 340107, a Leslie speaker, Model 720, and a Knobloch & Bach piano that are in good condition to give away, free for the taking. If you are interested, please call Charles Talley at (718)317-8482 or (718)541-2682. ADS & ANNOUNCEMENTS: 
Holiday Boutique, Saturday, Dec. 6, 10–4 1st Presbyterian Church of Levittown Shoppers Delight! 35 Inside Vendors. Support Local Businesses. Adopt a DOG. Last Hope Animal Shelter is hosting a Pet Adoption Day at the Boutique too. Enjoy Hot Cocoa and Homemade treats. Santa will be in the House. Our Preschool is hosting an Open House with Tumbling Tots, Meet & Greet with Elsa & Anna. 474 Wantagh Avenue, 516-731-3808. LUTHERAN CHURCH OF OUR SAVIOUR CONCERT SERIES Sunday, December 7, at 2 PM The Jackson Heights Community Orchestra, directed by Pat Glunt. Pat Glunt, a retired NYC music educator, continues to work with students and their teachers throughout New York State. She has collaborated with the education departments of The New York Philharmonic, The American Ballet Theatre and The New York Pops. A professional violinist, Pat earned a Master of Science in Education, as well as a Professional Diploma in Administration and Supervision, from Queens College. She has conducted ensembles in California, Metro NY and Finland and is past president of the Music Educators Association of NYC. Pat has lived in Jackson Heights for over 20 years. Start the Christmas Season off with a wonderful afternoon of music. Following the performance there will be light refreshments and time to meet and talk with the performers. There is no admission but a free-will offering will be received. The church is located on the corner of Willis and Jefferson Avenues, Two block south of Jericho Turnpike. The Lutheran Church of Our Saviour 132 Jefferson Avenue Mineola, New York 516-746-3824 
JOB OPENINGS JOB OPENING: PART-TIME CHURCH SECRETARY Hempstead United Methodist Church/Iglesia Methodista Unida de Hempstead is seeking a church secretary to work Thursdays and Fridays from 9 to 4. Ability to speak both Spanish and English would be a plus. Contact the Rev. Raphael Garcia at 516-485-6363. DIRECTOR OF YOUTH MINISTRIES Caroline Church (Episcopal) of Brookhaven is looking for a part time Director of Youth Ministries. The purpose of that position is to build young disciples for Christ by developing and implementing a comprehensive approach to youth ministry. Must possess a proven ability to work effectively with youth, diverse individuals, and teams of volunteers, be aware and utilize resources for developing the youth ministry programming and participate in continuing education events and training opportunities. Recruit and train volunteers who work with youth in all aspects of youth ministry and ensure adequate volunteer support and adult to youth ratios. A degree in a related field is preferred. Familiarity with the Episcopal Church is recommended Salary: dependent upon experience. Qualified persons should forward a resume to: Canon Richard D. Visconti, Rector: Caroline Church of Brookhaven, 1 Dyke Road, Setauket, NY 11733. E-mail address: rvisconti@carolinechurch.net YOUTH MINISTER Bellmore Presbyterian Church is seeking a part-time Youth Minister, to begin this fall. The Youth Minister will be responsible for the development of youth ministry, primarily developing programs for the 11 – 17 age group, and to be part of the vision of ongoing development programs at Bellmore Presbyterian Church. He/She will also coordinate and meet with the other youth groups. The position requires involvement in the life of the church services (youth sermon) and development of youth worship and social programs. Days, hours and compensation are somewhat flexible. Send resumes to BPC48@aol.com. If you have any questions, please call Dick Strobridge at (516) 223-6503. Building Maintenance/Janitorial Job Seeking a self-motivated and well qualified person to do building maintenance and janitorial duties, on the campus of the Community Reformed Church Manhasset. Prior experience in churches or schools is helpful. Position is part-time (15-20 hours per week) Compensation commensurate with experience. Email resumes to Karen Altenburg, at karencrc2000@yahoo.comor call 516 627-3494. JOB OPENING: SITE MANAGER St. Stephen’s Church in Port Washington is seeking for someone with facilities maintenance experience to work part time to provide general maintenance and ensure routine inspections are completed. For more information, please www.ststephenspw.org Please send resume to Rev Stuart Huntley at stuart@ststephenspw.org OFFICE SPACE AVAILABLE IN HEMPSTEAD Hempstead United Methodist Church/Iglesia Methodista Unida de Hempstead has two offices available to share with another organization in exchange for a modest contribution to the maintenance of the building. Contact the Rev. Raphael Garcia at 516-485-6363. CHURCH AVAILABLE TO SHARE IN ROOSEVELT First United Methodist Church in Roosevelt has space available to share with another congregation or nonprofit. The church is located at 50 Union Place(the corner of Whitehouse Avenue). The sanctuary seats 200 people and is available Sunday mornings at 7 a.m., Sunday evenings at 6 p.m. or later, and mid-week. Space is also available for a variety of activities during the week. There is ample on-street parking and a municipal parking lot next door. For further information please contact Pastor Andrea Smith or Sheila Clements at rooseveltumc@gmail.com CHURCH SPACE AVAILABLE IN LONG BEACH The People’s Church of Long Beach has shared office space available for any 501(c)3 organization. The space available is part of a large area formerly used by a school, so the size of space to be shared is negotiable. Contact the church office at 516-432-0392. CHURCH SPACE AVAILABLE IN LEVITTOWN First Presbyterian Church of Levittown has space available for any 5013C organization. Spaces available include, party room, conference room, full size gym, balcony room. Wantagh Avenue in Levittown, exit 28 on the Southern State Parkway. Contact the church office at 516-731-3808 or levitfpc@optonline.net for further information. SPACE AVAILABLE IN NORTHVILLE/RIVERHEAD First Parish Church in Northville/Riverhead has a large, open loft space to share in historic Grange Hall. The Grange is on Sound Ave and Church Lane. Great natural light. Country setting on North Fork of Long Island. Ideal for classes such as art, writing, or painting and for group meetings. Facility also has kitchen, excellent parking and outdoor space. Pictures of the Grange can be seen at www.spirit-renewal.com (go to workshop facility tab). Please contact Georgeann at 631-298-3230 or Dianne Rodriguez 516-673-1231) for rates and details. CHURCH SPACE TO SHARE IN MASSAPEQUA: The Presbyterian Community Church in Massapequa has space to share with another congregation: Sanctuary, two levels, seats 225, generally available except Sunday Fellowship hall/auditorium/gymnasium with kitchen Club room Parking lot and street parking for 60 cars (on weekends, additional parking is available) Several classrooms This is a large building that can be used for worship, meetings and other gatherings, conveniently located near the Southern State Parkway, Route 135 and Sunrise Highway. Please call Pete LaMassa at 516-316-6571 for more information. SPACE AVAILABLE TO SHARE IN NEW HYDE PARK Hillside United Methodist Church in New Hyde Park has space they would be glad to share with another congregation, school, or not-for-profit agency. Their chapel seats 35 and is available Sunday afternoons between 1 and 4 p.m.They also have three classrooms, a children’s room, and a meeting room/library that they might be able to share. For further information, contact Bob Graf at 516-741-5148.