G O O D S H E P H E R D L U T H E R A N C H U R C H & S C H O O L

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 2

A M E S S A G E F R O M

O U R P A S T O R

Spring is a time of new beginnings. While New Year's is the time for making resolutions, spring brings forth the joy to fulfill them! I know that it's still February, and we will have many cold days ahead and that the lion of March is sure to roar, but it's never too early to dream about spring! The root of the word Lent means springtime—springtime of the soul. It is a mystical 40 days of planting, seeding, and watering the soul. Every farmer and backyard gardening en-thusiast knows that if you miss planting time, you may never yield a harvest, but if you put in some time and effort, the rewards can be ex-traordinary! I know this is starting to sound like work and maybe you are saying to yourself, “with an already packed schedule how will I ever be able to seed and plant and water?" Well the good news is that Jesus does all the hard work in our garden; we just need to show up! The United States Congress-woman Gabrielle Giffords has made remarkable progress recovering from a nearly lethal gunshot wound. After returning to work she has made the decision to resign from her post in order to concentrate on her healing and personal growth. She is clear about her priorities and has reconfig-ured her life to support them. Unlike Congresswoman Giffords we have not been the victim of an attempted assassination, but we have been bruised and battered by life. Can we

make some smart decisions of our own to avail ourselves to God’s healing of our souls? We can follow The Good Shep-herd to those green pastures and still wa-ters and have our souls restored! We can come to Good Shepherd on Wednes-days this Lent. Lent begins with Ash Wednesday (February 22nd) when we remember that we are dust and to dust we shall re-turn. The five Wednesdays following Ash Wednesday, you and your family and friends are invited to come together for a soup and bread supper beginning at 6:15 p.m. With a vast array of soups and breads to choose from your hunger is sure to be satisfied! With so many of your church family united for a meal your thirst for growing meaningful relation-ships will certainly be quenched! Following that delicious meal you will be invited to participate in our “Late Night Catechism” Lenten worship pro-gram. Each week we will explore a part of Luther's small catechism in a way that is sure to delight, inspire, and challenge your faith to grow! No it is never too early to dream about spring. Take out the calendar and clear the deck because Wednesday nights in Lent are exactly what the soul doctor has ordered. Make healing and growth a pri-ority on your agenda this Holy spring!

Springing Forth in Faith, Reverend Eric Olaf Olsen Pastor

Dear Faithful People of Good Shepherd:

Maybe you are Maybe you are Maybe you are Maybe you are

saying to yourself, saying to yourself, saying to yourself, saying to yourself,

“with an already “with an already “with an already “with an already

packed schedule packed schedule packed schedule packed schedule

how will I ever be how will I ever be how will I ever be how will I ever be

able to seed and able to seed and able to seed and able to seed and

plant and water?" plant and water?" plant and water?" plant and water?"

Well the good Well the good Well the good Well the good

news is that Jesus news is that Jesus news is that Jesus news is that Jesus

does all the hard does all the hard does all the hard does all the hard

work in our gar-work in our gar-work in our gar-work in our gar-

den; we just need den; we just need den; we just need den; we just need

to show up!to show up!to show up!to show up!

Whether one worships at 8:00 or 10:00 a.m., members and friends of Good Shepherd of all ages have a weekly opportunity for personal educational growth as God’s people. The gathering point for all from pre-school through adulthood is the school gymnasium at 8:50 AM for songs and prayers. Sunday School classes and Adult Education fol-low the opening. Although classes began in September, it is always the right time to participate. Please feel free to attend one, two, three, or all.

Adult Education Topics for February

February 5: Journalist Lee Strobel shares his investigation of the most emotional objections to Christianity in the DVD of his book The Case for Faith. This is the third session and will focus on how one can still believe in a loving God in the midst of evil and suffering in the world.

February 12 & 19: In a two-part session, Jeannie Appleman, lead organizer of Long Island Congregations, Associations & Neighborhoods (LI-CAN), will focus on growing leaders at Good Shepherd.

✛ The first training session on February 12 is about how to deepen the culture of ownership and engagement at Good Shepherd. We will learn ways to identify and engage potential new leaders.

✛ The second training session on February 19 is how to engage and keep potential

leaders based on their particular talents, resources, interests, and hopes. Training will focus on the technique of the individual meeting. If you are a current council, ministry team, board or committee member, this two-session series is for you. Not presently a leader? If you are considering volunteering in any way shape or form, this series is for you as well.

February 26 through April 1: Our Lenten series, Making Sense of the Cross, invites partici-pants to listen in on an open conversation about the cross. Throughout the conversation, all are encour-aged to think about and experience the cross and its meaning for their lives. Weekly topics will be as follows:

Date Focus Sunday, February 26 A Man Hanging on a Tree Sunday, March 4 Portraits & Perspectives Sunday, March 11 Ransom & Victory Sunday, March 18 Substitution, Satisfaction & Sacrifice Sunday, March 25 Example & Encouragement Sunday, April 1 Event & Experience

Come and grow with each other!

- Submitted by John Hinsch

Adult Education

Upcoming

Topics

Of Interest

THE

CASE

FOR

FAITH

LEE STROBEL

Please e-mail all articles for inclusion in the March newsletter

no later than Wednesday, February 8th, February 8th, February 8th, February 8th, to

church@ourshepherdlives.orgchurch@ourshepherdlives.orgchurch@ourshepherdlives.orgchurch@ourshepherdlives.org

THIS DEADLINE IS EARLIER THAN USUALTHIS DEADLINE IS EARLIER THAN USUALTHIS DEADLINE IS EARLIER THAN USUALTHIS DEADLINE IS EARLIER THAN USUAL

BECAUSE OF A SHORT MONTH WITH A HOLIDAY BREAK.BECAUSE OF A SHORT MONTH WITH A HOLIDAY BREAK.BECAUSE OF A SHORT MONTH WITH A HOLIDAY BREAK.BECAUSE OF A SHORT MONTH WITH A HOLIDAY BREAK.

GOOD SHEPHERD LUTHERAN CHURCH & SCHOOL 99 Central Park Road, Plainview, NY 11803 Phone: 516-349-1966 Fax: 516-349-8438

E-mail: church@ourshepherdlives.org Website: www.ourshepherdlives.org

Ministers: The Members of Good Shepherd Reverend Eric O. Olsen, Pastor

Judy R. Hinsch, A.I.M., School Director Teresa Ratkowski, Director of Choir and Organist

Maureen Cooke, Church Secretary/Newsletter Editor Lindsay Kuefner, School Secretary

Ed Indellicati, Accountant/Bookkeeper John E. Menig, Jr., Sexton

Bobby Lang, Sexton

DATEDATEDATEDATE SERVICESERVICESERVICESERVICE ASSISTING MINISTERASSISTING MINISTERASSISTING MINISTERASSISTING MINISTER LECTORLECTORLECTORLECTOR ACOLYTE(S)ACOLYTE(S)ACOLYTE(S)ACOLYTE(S)

February 4 & 5

Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany

5:30 p.m. 8:00 a.m. 10:00 a.m.

Please Volunteer Please Volunteer Marilyn Benner

Please Volunteer Please Volunteer Marilyn Benner

February 11 & 12

Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany

5:30 p.m. 8:00 a.m. 10:00 a.m.

Please Volunteer Please Volunteer Judy Hinsch

Please Volunteer Please Volunteer Marilyn Benner

Please Volunteer Please Volunteer Robbie Pietrofere

February 19 & 20

Transfiguration of our Lord

5:30 p.m. 8:00 a.m. 10:00 a.m.

Please Volunteer Please Volunteer John Schwaninger

Please Volunteer Please Volunteer George Milhim

Please Volunteer Please Volunteer Please Volunteer

February 22

Ash Wednesday

5:30 p.m. 8:00 a.m. 10:00 a.m.

Please Volunteer Please Volunteer John Schwaninger

Please Volunteer Please Volunteer Cathy Vollono

Please Volunteer Please Volunteer Robbie Peitrofere

February 25 & 26

First Sunday in Lent

5:30 p.m. 8:00 a.m. 10:00 a.m.

Please Volunteer Please Volunteer Lori Mason

Please Volunteer Please Volunteer Richard Benson

Please Volunteer Please Volunteer Michaela Pietrofere

Please Volunteer Please Volunteer Miranda Benson

FLOWERSFLOWERSFLOWERSFLOWERS

Anne Rickmeyer

Anne Rickmeyer

Anne Rickmeyer

N/A

Lent—no flowers

Altar Care during the month of February: Mary WiegertAltar Care during the month of February: Mary WiegertAltar Care during the month of February: Mary WiegertAltar Care during the month of February: Mary Wiegert

Have you tried to call John or Judy Hinsch lately, left a mes-Have you tried to call John or Judy Hinsch lately, left a mes-Have you tried to call John or Judy Hinsch lately, left a mes-Have you tried to call John or Judy Hinsch lately, left a mes-sage on their voicemail, and never heard back???sage on their voicemail, and never heard back???sage on their voicemail, and never heard back???sage on their voicemail, and never heard back??? John & Judy would like you to note that their phone number John & Judy would like you to note that their phone number John & Judy would like you to note that their phone number John & Judy would like you to note that their phone number 516516516516----433433433433----0106 has been dropped and already reassigned to 0106 has been dropped and already reassigned to 0106 has been dropped and already reassigned to 0106 has been dropped and already reassigned to someone else (so yousomeone else (so yousomeone else (so yousomeone else (so you will get an answering machine, but it will get an answering machine, but it will get an answering machine, but it will get an answering machine, but it is not theirs). Please use 516is not theirs). Please use 516is not theirs). Please use 516is not theirs). Please use 516----433433433433----8321. Thank you. 8321. Thank you. 8321. Thank you. 8321. Thank you.

Good Shepherd is looking to find our alumni! We have ransacked and pored through our old file cabinets and cre-denzas, but have sadly fallen short. Do you happen to have any pictures, records, or keepsakes from you or your children or your cousins (or even your neighbors’ children or cousins!) attending Good Shepherd in the ‘60s, ‘70s, and ‘80s? A class list? Perhaps some pictures? Please lend them to us!!! Rest assured that we will copy and return whatever you can share. Even better, if you could scan and e-mail them to church@ourshepherdlives.com, that would be greatly appreciated!

Many thanks from the School Board!!!

Where Where Where Where

are are are are

you?you?you?you?

FEBRUARY

Kimberly Allan

Martha Berardino

Sabrina Greig

Brianna Hansen

Kristina Jordan

Loré Kachianos

Dillon Kwarta

Miranda Lund

Matthew Marlin

Ann Ocker

Mackenzie Pech

Skylar Pekarek

Josef Saueracker

Lauren Sieloff

Nancy Stingelin

DID YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW MISS THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE PART OF A CONFIRMA-TON PROGRAM? If so don’t miss this unique opportunity to affirm your baptism publicly and

receive confirmation you long for. Each candidate must register with the pastor by calling the church office at 349-

1966, attend Ash Wednesday and all Holy Week services, par-ticipate in Wednesday evening soup & bread suppers and the late-night catechism worship program, attend Sunday morning

adult education through Lent as well as a Saturday evening or Sunday morning worship.service, and prepare & recite a brief faith statement

Once again we will be having our soup & bread supper on Wednesdays during Lent. Join us each Wednesday

evening, beginning Wednesday, February 29th, at 6:15 p.m. for soup & bread supper in the gym. Worship program will follow at 7:30 p.m. in the church. Feed your soul and your body with good things—don’t miss this wonderful opportunity to grow in faith and fellowship. Soup makers and bread bringers are wanted for this event. Please sign up in the narthex. Thank you!

MID WEEK LENTEN SERVICES begin on Wednesday, Feb-ruary 29 at 7:30 p.m., immediately following our soup & bread dinner. Ideally, all of our brothers and sisters should share in our soup & bread dinners and continue the Lenten observance with this 7:30 service. Confirmation students are required to attend both in lieu of Wednesday classes during Lent. If you cannot or prefer not to drive in the evening, please don’t hesitate to call the church at 349-1966 in order to arrange for transportation.

We want you here!

BIBLE STUDIES ARE HELD ON THE LAST FRIDAY OF EACH MONTH AT 10:00 A.M. DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR. FOLLOWING IS

THE REMAINING SCHEDULE:

FRIDAYFRIDAYFRIDAYFRIDAY VERSE/TOPIC/THEMEVERSE/TOPIC/THEMEVERSE/TOPIC/THEMEVERSE/TOPIC/THEME LOCATIONLOCATIONLOCATIONLOCATION LEADERLEADERLEADERLEADER

February 24 Mark 10:49 Tough Questions St. David’s in Massapequa Park Pastor Flora Hartford &

Pastor David Meyer

March 30March 30March 30March 30 Mark 13:31 Mark 13:31 Mark 13:31 Mark 13:31 Rising ExpectationsRising ExpectationsRising ExpectationsRising Expectations Good Shepherd Lutheran ChurchGood Shepherd Lutheran ChurchGood Shepherd Lutheran ChurchGood Shepherd Lutheran Church Pastor Eric OlsenPastor Eric OlsenPastor Eric OlsenPastor Eric Olsen

April 27 Mark 14:26 A Wholly Different Week St. John’s in Merrick Pastor Perry Kirschbaum

May 25 Mark 16:6 Go and Tell St. Stephen’s in Hicksville Pastor Stephanie Pope

The Metro NY Synod LYO is holding two youth retreats at Camp Koinonia: Jesus—The Original X-Man for junior high students on February 24 – 26 and Everyday I’m Jesusin’ on March 16 -18 for high school students. Registration for each weekend is $110, which includes room, board, programming, and t-shirt. For more information, please call Diane Gilroy at 718-793-2188 or e-mail her at dig-ger219@yahoo.com, Registration forms and permission slips for each grade level are in the narthex Registration deadlines are February 10 and February 24 respectively.

We wish Mary Knotek all the best in her new home. If you’d like to

contact her, please note her address:

169 Montesino Drive169 Montesino Drive169 Montesino Drive169 Montesino Drive

Raleigh, NC 27603Raleigh, NC 27603Raleigh, NC 27603Raleigh, NC 27603----8783878387838783

(919)900(919)900(919)900(919)900----8234823482348234

Page 5

T H O S E P R E P A R I N GT H O S E P R E P A R I N GT H O S E P R E P A R I N GT H O S E P R E P A R I N G

F O R O R D A I N E D M I N I S T RF O R O R D A I N E D M I N I S T RF O R O R D A I N E D M I N I S T RF O R O R D A I N E D M I N I S T R YYYY

T H O S E I N N E E DT H O S E I N N E E DT H O S E I N N E E DT H O S E I N N E E D

O F H E A L I N GO F H E A L I N GO F H E A L I N GO F H E A L I N G

WE PRAY FOR...

Teresa Ratkowski, Gunhild Schabel, Marilyn Benner, Pastor John Jurik, John Peterson (Eleanor’s Pearson’s brother), Ann Araco (Lori Tollefsen’s mother), Lillian & Richard Carson, Bodey Johnson (Carl & Carol Burfeindt’s relative), Lucinda Rummel (Beverly Strack’s sis-ter), Eleanor Davis, Warren Wiegert, Justin Rogers (Karin Kienle’s nephew) and Christine & Tom Greenwood, his parents, Jason Damiano (Anna’s grand-son), Chris Cucci and his family, Bea McCabe, Ethel Batchelder, Mike Adams (Maureen Cooke’s brother-in-law), Carol Gross (Fred & Loretta Ruff’s friend), William Jakubowski, Dorothy Cronin, Martin Boltizar (Louise Lamont’s cousin), Joe Berardino, Meghan Ortega (Pastor Eric’s niece), Gary Lang (Peggy’s relative), Ed Simmons (Pastor Eric’s friend), Ruth Odwazny, Ryan Faret & his family, Tyler LaGois, Genevieve Sounia, Dr. Stanley Bartkow, Joy Parisey (GSL teacher Cindy Cannizzaro’s sister), Susan Boettcher (John McGowan’s sis-ter), Paul Hinsch, John Binsfeld (Benner family friend), Maureen Araujo, Henry Kirschbaum (Lori Tollefsen’s uncle), Jay Boryea (Paul Hinsch’s friend), Ken Dixon (Pastor Eric’s friend), Deb Gebhart (Ruff Family Friend), Sven Faret (Gunhild Schabel’s son), Diane Lisa (Cathy Vol-lono’s friend), Janice Ridings (Rickmeyer family friend), Francis Lee (Helen Kopf’s son), Lynne Carlson (Irma’s daughter-in-law), Mary Ellen Moyse (George’s wife), Don and Francine Unger (Katalina Paterakis’s grandparents), Joyce Tare, Jake (Maisch family friend) and his fam-ily, Ian Spadaro (Dottie’s grandson), James Fields (Vincent and Dorothy Cro-nin’s nephew), Mary Gessing (Dorothy and Vincent Cronin’s cousin), and Rita Cunningham (Cronin family friend).

T H O S E S E R V I N GT H O S E S E R V I N GT H O S E S E R V I N GT H O S E S E R V I N G

I N T H E M I L I T A R YI N T H E M I L I T A R YI N T H E M I L I T A R YI N T H E M I L I T A R Y

USMC Lance Corporal Nicholas Ventrelli-O’Connell (Patty Larson’s family friend), David Jacobs (Joyce Tare’s nephew, Alec & Madison’s cousin), CPT. Paul Rickmeyer, Major Phillip Sounia, MSgt. Richard Miranda, Christopher Zito (Mary Knotek’s friend), Sgt. Vincent Mezick, Spe-cialist Sean Hassett (Lori Mason’s cousin).

Roger Griffith

The Berardino, Stingelin, Mendelsohn, Glenn, and Romanelli, families and the family & friends of Helen Baumeister, Danny Glenn, Richard Mendel-sohn, John Romanelli (Lisa Hinch’s cousin).

T H O S E W H O A R E G R I E V IT H O S E W H O A R E G R I E V IT H O S E W H O A R E G R I E V IT H O S E W H O A R E G R I E V I N GN GN GN G

7:00 p.m.— 9:00 p.m.

Valentine’s Dance (School)

We invite you to the Shrove Tuesday Pancake EveningWe invite you to the Shrove Tuesday Pancake EveningWe invite you to the Shrove Tuesday Pancake EveningWe invite you to the Shrove Tuesday Pancake Evening. . . .

The name "Shrove" comes from the old word "shrive," which means to The name "Shrove" comes from the old word "shrive," which means to The name "Shrove" comes from the old word "shrive," which means to The name "Shrove" comes from the old word "shrive," which means to

confess. On Shrove Tuesday, in the Middle Ages, people used to confess. On Shrove Tuesday, in the Middle Ages, people used to confess. On Shrove Tuesday, in the Middle Ages, people used to confess. On Shrove Tuesday, in the Middle Ages, people used to

confess their sins so that they were forgiven before the season of confess their sins so that they were forgiven before the season of confess their sins so that they were forgiven before the season of confess their sins so that they were forgiven before the season of

Lent began.Lent began.Lent began.Lent began.

Today, however, Shrove Tuesday is a day of celebration, because it is Today, however, Shrove Tuesday is a day of celebration, because it is Today, however, Shrove Tuesday is a day of celebration, because it is Today, however, Shrove Tuesday is a day of celebration, because it is

the last day before Lent. Traditionally, Lent is a time of abstinence, of the last day before Lent. Traditionally, Lent is a time of abstinence, of the last day before Lent. Traditionally, Lent is a time of abstinence, of the last day before Lent. Traditionally, Lent is a time of abstinence, of

giving things up. So Shrove Tuesday is the last chance to indulge, to giving things up. So Shrove Tuesday is the last chance to indulge, to giving things up. So Shrove Tuesday is the last chance to indulge, to giving things up. So Shrove Tuesday is the last chance to indulge, to

use up the foods that aren’t allowed in Lent. Pancakes were eaten on use up the foods that aren’t allowed in Lent. Pancakes were eaten on use up the foods that aren’t allowed in Lent. Pancakes were eaten on use up the foods that aren’t allowed in Lent. Pancakes were eaten on

this day because they contain at, butter and eggs, which long ago this day because they contain at, butter and eggs, which long ago this day because they contain at, butter and eggs, which long ago this day because they contain at, butter and eggs, which long ago

were forbidden during Lent.were forbidden during Lent.were forbidden during Lent.were forbidden during Lent.

Shrove Tuesday is known by other names. Shrove Tuesday is known by other names. Shrove Tuesday is known by other names. Shrove Tuesday is known by other names. Mardi Gras Mardi Gras Mardi Gras Mardi Gras literally means literally means literally means literally means

"fat Tuesday" in French. The name comes from the slaughtering and "fat Tuesday" in French. The name comes from the slaughtering and "fat Tuesday" in French. The name comes from the slaughtering and "fat Tuesday" in French. The name comes from the slaughtering and

feasting upon a fatted calf on the last day of Carnival, ironically, a feasting upon a fatted calf on the last day of Carnival, ironically, a feasting upon a fatted calf on the last day of Carnival, ironically, a feasting upon a fatted calf on the last day of Carnival, ironically, a

Latin word that means "farewell to the flesh."Latin word that means "farewell to the flesh."Latin word that means "farewell to the flesh."Latin word that means "farewell to the flesh."

Regardless of its original meaning, perhaps lost in history, Good Regardless of its original meaning, perhaps lost in history, Good Regardless of its original meaning, perhaps lost in history, Good Regardless of its original meaning, perhaps lost in history, Good

Shepherd sees this as an opportunity for good food & the company Shepherd sees this as an opportunity for good food & the company Shepherd sees this as an opportunity for good food & the company Shepherd sees this as an opportunity for good food & the company

of Christian friends, the day before Ash Wednesday.of Christian friends, the day before Ash Wednesday.of Christian friends, the day before Ash Wednesday.of Christian friends, the day before Ash Wednesday.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO CELEBRATING WITH YOU!WE LOOK FORWARD TO CELEBRATING WITH YOU!WE LOOK FORWARD TO CELEBRATING WITH YOU!WE LOOK FORWARD TO CELEBRATING WITH YOU!

PancakesPancakesPancakesPancakes

& & & & SausageSausageSausageSausage

Apple SauceApple SauceApple SauceApple Sauce

Fruit Punch, Fruit Punch, Fruit Punch, Fruit Punch, Water,Water,Water,Water,

Coffee, TeaCoffee, TeaCoffee, TeaCoffee, Tea DessertsDessertsDessertsDesserts

Tuesday, February 21

5:30—7:30 pm

in the school gym

Cost: $3 per adult

$2 per child

3 or more children +

2 adults = $10

Reservations required by

February 13

Please sign up in the

Narthex

NEEDED: CHILDREN’S SOCKS & UNDERWEAR

During the month of March our Social Ministry team will be

collecting underwear and socks for boys & girls (up to size 16).

Thank you always for your continued support.

FROM OUR SOCIAL MINISTRY TEAMFROM OUR SOCIAL MINISTRY TEAMFROM OUR SOCIAL MINISTRY TEAMFROM OUR SOCIAL MINISTRY TEAM

On Ash Wednesday, February 22nd, Bread for the World will be hosting its 24th annual Soup & Bread Supper to begin Lent and to aid the hungry. Share Bread for the World’s ecumenical supper at:

St. James Roman Catholic Church Route 25 A & Ridgeway Avenue

Setauket From 5:30 p.m.— 7:00 p.m.

Or

United Methodist Church, 230 Middle Country Road

Smithtown from 6:30 p.m. – 7:15 p.m.

A free-will offering will be requested.

The following articles featuring Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and Pastor Eric were written by each credited author and were originally

posted on the Plainview Patch. These articles and photos (also Joe Dowd’s) are reprinted with permission. To stay abreast of current and

breaking news in our neighborhood and to post your comments, please visit www.plainviewpatch.com or friend the Patch on Facebook.

Log in to comment on these or any of their on-line articles. You can also sign up to have the Patch send regular updates to your in-box.

Each night of Chanukah, Plainview's Burton

Radish walked out to his outdoor menorah

and twisted on another yellow bulb, one for

each night that Jews commemorate the an-

cient miracle known as the 'Festival of Lights."

Even though his menorah lies shattered on

the lawn of his Gerhard Road home, its light

still shines. Those

responsible accom-

plished nothing.

They were beaten

Thursday by forces

of the light. And the

menorah's light will

shine again, Radish

vowed Thursday.

His promise was af-

firmed in one voice

by Plainview's Inter-

faith Council, who

stood shoulder to-shoulder Thursday with

Radish in a public denunciation of the forces

of anti-semitism and blind hatred.

"This desecration of a religious symbol under

the cover of darkness is a cowardly act," said

state Assemblyman Charles Lavine, D-Glen

Cove. "Any attack on any religion is an attack

against every religion. Prejudice is un Ameri-

can and must neither be tolerated nor en-

abled."

That theme was echoed by public officials and clergy members representing a broad cross-section of the community. One after another, they publicly denounced the human plagues

of bias and ignorance at the site of a Chanu-kah menorah desecration. The Muslim community of Long Is-land..."strongly condemn(s) acts of hatred to-wards members of all religious and ethnic communities, said Isma H. Chaudhry, vice charwoman of the Islamic Center of Long Is-land.

"The Holocaust should teach us that we must stand together against vandalism or we will face far worse acts of bigotry and violence," said the Rev. Thomas W. Goodhue, execu-tive director of the Long Island Council of Churches. The public demonstra-tion was intended as a

visible sign of the community's united stand against bias crimes and anti-semitism. The community leaders, which included Oyster Bay Councilwoman Rebecca Alesia of Plain-view, Plainview-area rabbies David Ross Senter, Michael S. Churgel, and Steven Conn, the Rev. Eric Olsen, pastor of Good Shepherd Church, and the Rev. Monsignor Domenick Graziadio of St. Pius X R.C. Church, stood around the shattered remains of the outdoor display. The menorah rested in ruins on the Radish family lawn. "I am disturbed by the fact that in the 21st century, there are still those who engage in these despicable acts of hate," Monsignor Graziadio said.

UNITED PLAINVIEW REBUKES HATRED, BIAS On the lawn where vandals desecrated a menorah,

community leaders stood in solidarity against bigotry

By Joe Dowd

January 5, 2012

Editor Joe Dowd: Heard some news you want us to check out?

Let me know: joe.dowd@patch.com

Nassau Legislator Judy Jacobs was un-able to attend, but issued this statement:

"There is and must be zero tolerance for intolerance and hate," she said. (continued on next page) (continued from page 9) As for Radish, a retired New York City school administrator, the de-struction of his menorah came only weeks after the death of his wife. Yet, Radish vowed to go on. He said a friend who built the first electrified menorah a decade ago out of PVC pipe is working on a new one. Rad-ish said it will be bigger and better than the first. "And I promise you," Radish said. "There will be a menorah on my lawn next year." The Chanukkah menorah, a 9-branched candelabrum, has been a symbol of Hebrew faith and perse-verance for thousands of years. It commemorates the re-dedication of the Temple after the Maccabean re-volt of 166 B.C.E. (B.C.) The iconic emblem, emblazoned on the coat of arms of the state of Israel, first appears in the Hebrew Bible, or Torah. In Exodus (25:31-40) G-d re-veals its design to Moses, saying the lampstand should be made of gold and contain seven branches. Several of these menorahs were used to illu-minate the Second Temple before its destruction by the Romans in 70 C.E. (or A.D., Latin for Anno Domini, or, "the year of our Lord.") Police are continuing to investigate the attack. Lavine said anyone with information about the incident should contact the Nassau County Police hotline at 1-800-244-TIPS. Editor's Note: The name of G-d is

By Joe DowdBy Joe DowdBy Joe DowdBy Joe Dowd December 31, 2011December 31, 2011December 31, 2011December 31, 2011

In one sense, we all did: We all mattered to someone; we all contrib-uted in some way to our community. But some among us stood out in 2011, making a profound difference in the lives of Plainview's resi-dents. You will know many of the names we've chosen to be the 10 Plainview's "10 People Who Mattered" this year. If you can, take a moment to comment on this story, telling how one of these people made a difference in your life. That may inspire others to step up in 2012. Here's is our list in alphabetical order: REBECCA ALESIAREBECCA ALESIAREBECCA ALESIAREBECCA ALESIA: She may be an up-and-coming political star, a young, bright attorney involved with her community and re-elected in November to her seat on the Oyster Bay Town Board. The Plainview Republican has becoming a more visible player on the John Venditto team. JUDY JACOBSJUDY JACOBSJUDY JACOBSJUDY JACOBS: The outspoken Nassau County Democrat has been a strident voice for Plainview and her legislature district for nearly two decades. She is visible almost everywhere: fundraisers, shows, events, parades. She also was a leading voice against the Mangano administration's most controversial proposals. CAROL MESCHKOWCAROL MESCHKOWCAROL MESCHKOWCAROL MESCHKOW: The leader of the Concerned Citizens led the charge to obtain a piece of World Trade Center steel for a fitting me-morial to Plainview residents lost on 9/11. She organized a commu-nity forum on crime and, with the help of husband Lance, worked be-hind the scenes on all sorts of projects that impacted Plainview THE REV. ERIC OLSENTHE REV. ERIC OLSENTHE REV. ERIC OLSENTHE REV. ERIC OLSEN: Pastor to his flock at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Olsen stood in the Class A uniform of a Nassau County Fire Chaplain and spoke of a community healing its lingering wounds from Sept. 11. He reached out to find common ground with others in a vow of "Never Again." He led Plainview's Interfaith Council to renewed pur-pose. CHIEF CRAIG ROBINSONCHIEF CRAIG ROBINSONCHIEF CRAIG ROBINSONCHIEF CRAIG ROBINSON: The new chief of the Plainview Fire Depart-ment has risen to the challenge of leading his busy volunteers and showed skill and bravery under fire. He has also been a strong and visible advocate of fire safety. EVY ROTHMANEVY ROTHMANEVY ROTHMANEVY ROTHMAN: The longtime member of the Plainview Board of Edu-cation was honored as "Congregant of the Year" by the Plainview Jew-ish Center, and with good reason. She spearheaded the effort to bring a new computer lab to the PJC and a was instrumental in leading the bone marrow drive that drew 153 donors in hopes of finding a match for one of the thousands suffering from blood-borne diseases.

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10 People Who Made a Difference in Plainview in 201110 People Who Made a Difference in Plainview in 201110 People Who Made a Difference in Plainview in 201110 People Who Made a Difference in Plainview in 2011

COLLEEN MACKCOLLEEN MACKCOLLEEN MACKCOLLEEN MACK----SAVINO SAVINO SAVINO SAVINO - She became in-volved 20 years ago when her husband needed blood in order to live. Today, Mack-Savino is the co-chair of Plainview PTA Coun-cil's blood drive, which conducts multiple blood drives over the course of the school year. Through her work and that of her team of vol-unteers, hundreds of pints of blood are col-lected annually. RABBI DAVID ROSS SENTERRABBI DAVID ROSS SENTERRABBI DAVID ROSS SENTERRABBI DAVID ROSS SENTER: His was a voice in the wilderness, a spiritual leader who inspired an entire congregation to reinvigorate their spiritual lives. In turn, the Manetto Hill Jewish Center gave voice and memory to a community wiped out by the Holocaust. His leadership brought Kolin's looted Torah back to life. The learned rabbi became the public voice of toler-ance and understanding. He taught children in his Hebrew School. He taught us. JOSEPH SLATTERYJOSEPH SLATTERYJOSEPH SLATTERYJOSEPH SLATTERY: You may not know his name, but you know his work. This Vietnam Veteran is a tireless advocate for needs of vet-erans around Long Island, serving on numer-ous veterans associations. and honored re-cently for his 46 years of continuing service to local groups. JACOB ZIPKINJACOB ZIPKINJACOB ZIPKINJACOB ZIPKIN: His Eagle Scout project began with a simple idea: people who worked at Plainview Hospital should be remembered af-ter they're gone. It grew into a memorial gar-den, dug with his own hands, and stands as a testament to perseverance.

ardino said. "She was devoted to her family and her community." Mrs. Baumeister was courted by the late Frederick C. Bau-meister, who would go ice skating with her and once jogged from Plainview to Lindenhurst to visit her, Mrs. Berardino said. Mr. Baumeister was a volunteer firefighter with the Plainview depart-ment and a local businessman who owned a barbershop on Grohmans Lane and Old Country Road. They married and to-gether raised Carol and three other children here: Robert Bau-meister, Linda Ravella and the late Frederick C. Baumeister, Jr., who died at a young age. The family became active in the fire de-partment, which served a community then known for its pickle and potato farms. "Back then, (the fire depart- ment) was something of a social club," Mrs. Berardino said. "They had a lot of good friends there and it was their social life." At the outbreak of World War II, Mr. Bau-meister took a job at the former Liberty Aircraft Corp. factory in Farming-dale. Mrs. Bau- meister wanted to assist in the war effort as well, and became a volunteer "aircraft observer," taking four-hour shifts watching the night skies over Long Island for signs of enemy planes, her daughter said. After the war, the family opened a delicatessen on Manetto Hill Road for a decade. They were among the first families to join the newly built Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, which opened in the early 1950s. When her husband died some 20 years ago, Mrs. Baumeis-ter began making plans for her own funeral. She even chose the two hymns that will be sung at her memorial service in Plainview Friday: "How Great Thou Art," and "In the Garden." The Rev. Eric Olsen, who will preside at the memorial service at Good Shep-herd Friday, was with Mrs. Baumeister on the day she died. On that day, Olsen sang "In the Garden," to Mrs. Baumeister, whose eyes lit up as the pastor sang to her, Mrs. Berardino said. Mrs. Baumeister leaves behind eight grandchildren and six great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Visitation is tomorrow, Thursday Jan. 12, from 2 - 4 and 7 - 9 p.m. at the Jacobsen Funeral Home, 1380 New York Ave., Huntington Sta-tion. A memorial service will be held Friday Jan. 13 at 10:30 a.m. at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Central Park Road, Plain-view, with burial to follow at Breslau Cemetery in Lindenhurst. Family members say memorial contributions can be made to the White Oaks Nursing Center: http://whiteoaksnursinghome.com/contact.html .

Helen C. Baumeister, who, for three-quarters of a century served as a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Plainview Fire De-partment, died Sunday, Jan. 8. The longtime Plainview resident was 97. Born Helen C. Fichtner on Sept. 29, 1914, she was a member of the volunteer department's Ladies Auxiliary since 1934, when Plainview was still a rural farming community. She served several stints as an officer in the Auxiliary, including as its president. Service to her family and her com-munity was a hallmark of Mrs. Baumeister's life, said her daughter, Carol Berardino." She felt so strongly about serving others," Mrs. Ber-

Helen Baumeister 98: Served PFD Since 1934 Grandmother of 8 also volunteered as an enemy aircraft spotter on Long Island during WWII

By Joe Dowd January 11, 2012

Photo provided by Joe & Carol BerardinoPhoto provided by Joe & Carol BerardinoPhoto provided by Joe & Carol BerardinoPhoto provided by Joe & Carol Berardino

anti-Semitism throughout our history," said Rabbi Michael S. Churgel, spiri-tual leader of Temple Beth Elohim in Old Bethpage. "In the years since the Holocaust we have vowed to 'Never Again' allow conditions to become so severe that we or any other religious, racial or ethnic group should suffer the scapegoating and genocides that the Jewish people have fallen prey to."

Younger generations may not understand the Holocaust's pro-found impact on previous generations. Still, Jews who lived through the Holocaust know its horrors: "For Jews of a certain generation, there is a profound sense of unease," Neuer said.

That is understandable, given the litany of hate crimes reported in the metropolitan area recently, including:

• An outdoor menorah was desecrated on Gerhard Road in Plainview on the last day of the Festival of Lights, on either Dec. 26-27.

• That same week, graffiti was scrawled on buildings along Sea Cliff's Main Avenue near St. Boniface School. Detectives said swastikas, the marijuana reference: “420,” the Klu Klux Klan moniker “White Knight” and the letters “WK” were discovered.

• A statue of the Infant Jesus disappeared from the Nativity scene in front of St. Mary’s Church in Roslyn Harbor on Dec. 30.

• The following week in Sea Cliff, another swastika was drawn in black marker on a Glen Avenue resident's garage door.

• In Great Neck, swastikas were scratched into a 1998 Mercedes Benz parked at the Babylonian Jewish Center, sometime overnight on Jan. 6-7. Most recently, police charged a Centerport man with throwing a glass bot-tle into Huntington's Masjid Noor Mosque driveway from his vehicle.

Other hate crimes in the region appear more sinister. Neuer described

the Jan. 2 firebombing of a Queens mosque as "very alarming." And, the firebombing of the home in Northern New Jersey Jan. 11 appeared tar-geted at a rabbi and his family whose residence was attached to a syna-gogue. Authorities are hunting those responsible.

"One would hope they are not coordinated," said Rabbi Irwin Zeplowitz of Community Synagogue in Port Washington, of the Long Island attacks and those in the broader Metropolitan region. "What's more important than isolated incidents is how do the authorities within the community respond."

"Law enforcement seems to believe that they are all independent – not connected," added the ADL's Neuer.

While that may be reassuring, Neuer warned the recent outbreak "suggests that there are many people on the Island who feel free to act out on their hatred."

Zeplowitz insists the key to defeating these elements is for the au-thorities and the community to stand up to acts of hate. Regardless of one's faith, community members must stand for "tolerance and diversity," Rabbi Zeplowitz said, pointing out that these elements were advocated by Martin Luther King, Jr.

For Senter and others, the solution is education and dialogue. "It is our responsibility to educate ourselves regarding the cultures that sur-round us," said Senter, who has been in the vanguard of interfaith services and community outreach in Plainview. "As the demographics of Long Island shift, each of us is challenged to look at new populations with love and compassion and a desire to know each other."

"If we allow bias to enter our hearts it will ultimately consume us," said Rabbi Senter. "If we truly embrace the concept of 'One Nation under God...there will be no space in our hearts for hatred."

It's a form of incendiary hatred that has been around throughout recorded history: Vandals under cover of darkness or with the tacit sanction of a cloaked authority desecrate a symbol of faith. With sudden and increasing regularity, reports of bias incidents against a broad spectrum of religious symbols and houses of worship have spread across Long Island and beyond recently. Experts, police and local religious leaders do not be-lieve the incidents are related to a single hate group or sinister underground movement. Instead, they attribute the majority of them to a societal atmosphere that allows such ignorance to exist and be perpetuated. These acts should not not not not engender fear, police and clergymen alike agree: only steely, unwavering resolve. And they're doing something about it.

On Friday afternoon, a Huntington mosque, recently desecrated at least twice, will be the setting for the latest rally against blind hatred and bigotry. As with similar recent events, a cross-section of clergy and public officials will publicly rebuke this and all forms of bias attacks.

"It is incumbent upon public figures, religious leaders and educators to speak out against acts of vandalism in gen-eral and vandalism directed at religious institutions," said Rabbi David Ross Senter, spiritual leader of Plainview's Manetto Hill Jewish Center, who said the United States has had a long history of preserving religious rights and freedoms championed by leaders ranging from George Washington and Abraham Lincoln to Theodore Roosevelt and John F. Kennedy.

His statement was echoed by community leaders and clergymen across Long Island and beyond. "Hate crimes are affecting many communities on Long Island and in Suffolk County this type of crime has become to com-monplace, including a nationally recognized incident which ended the life of Latino immigrant Marcelo Lucero," said Dr. Mamoon Iqbal, a member of the Masjid Noor Mosque.

The historical context of hate crimes is essential to understand why these acts of vandalism are so significant to a segment of the population.

"Hate directed against any community can paralyze people," said Etzion Neuer, the Anti-Defamation League's direc-tor of community service and policy in Manhattan, pointing to attacks on Long Island's immigrant community. "At times like this, we have to bond and stand together."

Sixty years after the defeat of Hitler's Germany, the unprecedented atrocities of the Nazi Holocaust have been "watered down" within political discourse: "When someone's unhappy with another's position, they invoke Hitler," Neuer said. "At a time when our survivor population is dwindling, we have to remember what happened."

Remembering the past must not be limited to any one group:

"This is a big deal and we must treat even the small-est incident as having lethal consequences," said the Rev. Eric Olsen, pastor of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Plainview. "It only takes a spark to create a raging inferno. We need to stamp out ignorance and hatred by smothering them with love and understanding."

Jews have a particularly heightened awareness and sensitivity to these types of attacks, as we have been fighting

Wave of Hate Crimes Sparking Action, ResolveWave of Hate Crimes Sparking Action, ResolveWave of Hate Crimes Sparking Action, ResolveWave of Hate Crimes Sparking Action, Resolve

The spree of hate crimes across Long Island The spree of hate crimes across Long Island The spree of hate crimes across Long Island The spree of hate crimes across Long Island

is being met with a unified effort to stand up to all forms of bigotry.is being met with a unified effort to stand up to all forms of bigotry.is being met with a unified effort to stand up to all forms of bigotry.is being met with a unified effort to stand up to all forms of bigotry.

By Joe Dowd and Adina Genn January 20, 2012

UPDATE FOR FEBRUARY 2012

WITH COUNSELING SITES LOCATED IN: NASSAU SUFFOLK MANHATTAN QUEENS WESTCHESTER

Prepared especially for LCC Association Congregations & Schools

Although we have known for some time that a father’s influence is a very important one in raising children, in an age of a greater preva-lence of single parent families, the emphasis has often been more on a mother’s influence on their children. However, a recent study re-ported by The Lancet Medical Journal confirms the vital connection of a father to his children in regard to mental health issues. This study shows that the mental health status of one’s father has a major impact on his children. For fathers who are suffering from major depres-sion, generalized anxiety, drug or alcohol ad-dictions, or post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the chances that his children will ei-ther have mental health disorders or likely ex-hibit poor school performance or low self es-teem issues are doubled, especially for boys.

The peak years for men to have mental health disorders, ages 18 to 35, are also the peak years for becoming a father. Although fathers have taken on a more nurturing role in fami-lies of the present generation, they are not as likely to seek professional help for mental health disorders as women are. They often believe they must be strong and tough, often subconsciously equating recognition of mental health problems as a sign of weakness. How-ever, the reality is that seeking help from a professional when needed is a sign of strength and courage.

Not only does a father’s mental health status influence his children, but a father’s active PRESENCE in his children’s lives has been found to positively influence their overall feel-ings of self esteem and happiness. If the fa-ther cannot be present, having a “father fig-ure” such as a trusted uncle or grandfather actively involved in the child’s life can make a big difference.

Mental health disorders are usually treatable with excellent results when help is sought early. Therefore, it is vital that men realize that they are actually helping themselves and their families by seeking necessary treatment for depression, anxiety, addictions or PTSD. Lutheran Counseling Center is ready to help you with any of these mental health issues and can also help you and your family work to-gether to heal broken or hurting relationships. Give us a call!

LCC’s Self-Respect: Getting There Together* three year program for pre-teen and teen girls is ending. One last support group will be held at our site at Emanuel Lutheran

Church in Patchogue for 4th and 5th grade girls from 2:50 to 3:50 p.m. for six sessions on the following dates: Jan. 24, Jan. 26, Jan. 31, Feb. 7, Feb. 9 and Feb. 16. If you would like to register your daughter for this program, please call Lutheran Counseling Center at 1-800-317-1173. Cost is $5.00 per session. *(made possible, in part, by a grant from the Lutheran Services for Children Endowment of the ELCA Foundation)

Mark your calendars! LCC’s Annual Corpora-tors’ Meeting for Association Congregation pastors and two delegates from each church/school will be held on Thursday evening, March 15 here in Mineola beginning with a light supper at 6:00 p.m. Program details will be forthcoming.

If you or someone you know is in need of counsel-ing support for this or any other mental health is-sue, please call the Lutheran Counseling Center at 516-741-0994 or 1-800-317-1173 or e-mail us at Center@lccny.org. LCC has seven counseling sites

over the New York metropolitan and surrounding area.

THE IMPORTANCE OF FATHERS IN

THE LIVES OF THEIR CHILDREN

UPCOMING

OPPORTUNITIES AT LCC