Long Island Council of Churches

The Long Island Council of Churches (LICC), a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization, coordinates the ecumenical work of churches in Nassau and Suffolk Counties in Long Island, New York.[1][2]

As of 2004, the LICC represented 800 Protestant churches, and had non-voting representatives from the Catholic, Greek Orthodox, and Jewish communities.[3][4] It is located in Hempstead, New York.[5]

Mission statement

The Council's mission statement is that it: "unites diverse Christians to work together to improve the well being of Long Islanders and to promote interfaith understanding and cooperation."[1] Its goal is also to: "promote understanding and cooperation between Christians and non-Christians".[6]

History

The LICC was formed in 1969, in a merger of the Nassau and Sullfolk County Councils of Churches.[1]

The Council has issued policy statements from time to time. on various issues. At times it has done so by itself, and in other instances it has done so jointly with other organizations, including the Long Island Board of Rabbis, and the Commission on Christian-Jewish Relations of the Episcopal Diocese of Long Island.[7]

The Board of Governors of the LICC has energetically criticized both Hebrew Christians and Jews for Jesus.[8][9] In 1980, speaking of Jewish-Christian groups, including Messianic Judaism, it charged that "certain groups are engaging in subterfuge and dishonesty in representing the claims of their faith groups".[10][11][12]

In September 1999, it faced cuts coupled with a cumbersome contract-renewal process by Nassau County. It attempted to operate without a contract, but at the end of the day it had to furlough chaplains at a local medical center and geriatric center.[13]

In May 2000, Hope Koski became the LICC's first female president.[3]

Leadership

Clayton L. Williams served as the LICC's Executive Director in its formative years, as did Jack Alford in later years.[14][15][16] Rev. Thomas W. Goodhue, a United Methodist minister, has served as its Executive Director in more recent years.[4][17][18]

The Council is governed by a Board of Governors, which is made up of clergy, lay denominational representatives, and members of the business and nonprofit communities.[6]

References
  1. "Long Island Council of Churches". Ncccusa.org. Archived from the original on July 10, 2010. Retrieved July 30, 2010.
  2. Knudsen, Raymond B. (1974). New models for financing the local church: fresh approaches to giving in the computer age. ISBN 9780809618927. Archived from the original on March 20, 2022. Retrieved July 30, 2010.
  3. Marcelle S. Fischler (October 15, 2000). "Long Island Journal-Multiple Personalities? Yes, on the Radio". The New York Times. Archived from the original on May 27, 2015. Retrieved July 30, 2010.
  4. Marcelle S. Fischler, "Long Island: Reaching Out, and Into a Turf Battle" Archived May 28, 2015, at the Wayback Machine, The New York Times, September 12, 2004
  5. Lindner, Eileen W. (August 10, 2009). Yearbook of American & Canadian Churches 2009. ISBN 9780687658800. Archived from the original on March 20, 2022. Retrieved July 30, 2010.
  6. "About Us". Ncccusa.org. Archived from the original on July 3, 2010. Retrieved July 30, 2010.
  7. "Long Island Journal". The New York Times. June 14, 1981. Archived from the original on May 24, 2015. Retrieved July 30, 2010.
  8. Tanenbaum, Marc H.; Wilson, Marvin R.; Rudin, Arnold James (November 6, 2008). Evangelicals and Jews in an age of pluralism. ISBN 9780819176691. Archived from the original on March 20, 2022. Retrieved July 30, 2010.
  9. "Jews for Jesus Criticized", The Milwaukee Sentinel, August 6, 1977
  10. Cohn-Sherbok, Dan (2000). Messianic Judaism. ISBN 9780826454584. Archived from the original on March 20, 2022. Retrieved July 30, 2010.
  11. Tomson, Peter J.; Lambers-Petry, Doris (2003). The image of the Judaeo-Christians in ancient Jewish and Christian literature. ISBN 9783161480942. Archived from the original on March 20, 2022. Retrieved July 30, 2010.
  12. Gallagher, Eugene V.; Michael Ashcraft, W. (2006). Introduction to New and Alternative Religions in America: African diaspora traditions and other American innovations. ISBN 9780275987176. Archived from the original on March 20, 2022. Retrieved July 30, 2010.
  13. Allan Richter (October 10, 1999). "Cuts Open Gaps in Social Services Net". The New York Times. Nassau County (Ny). Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved July 30, 2010.
  14. Price, Jo-Ann (September 9, 1973). "Queens Family Court Aided by Protestant Clergymen Counselors". The New York Times. Archived from the original on August 13, 2017. Retrieved July 30, 2010.
  15. "Welfare Project Balked in Nassau; Would Have Put Recipients in Mitchel Field Barracks". The New York Times. May 17, 1970. Archived from the original on August 14, 2017. Retrieved July 30, 2010.
  16. Goldman, Ari L. (July 2, 1977). "Jews for Jesus Sue to Bar Letter Disseminated by L.I. Church Council". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 3, 2012. Retrieved July 30, 2010.
  17. Mosher, Lucinda (November 2005). Praying: the rituals of faith. ISBN 9781596270169. Archived from the original on March 20, 2022. Retrieved July 30, 2010.
  18. Nadel, Laurie (March 26, 2006). "L.I. At Worship; It's Not if, It's When: Waiting for the End, With Trepidation and Joy". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 3, 2012. Retrieved July 30, 2010.
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