But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him? And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

(Romans 10:14-15)

M A R C H 2 0 1 3M A R C H 2 0 1 3M A R C H 2 0 1 3M A R C H 2 0 1 3

GOOD SHEPHERD LUTHERAN CHURCH & SCHOOLGOOD SHEPHERD LUTHERAN CHURCH & SCHOOLGOOD SHEPHERD LUTHERAN CHURCH & SCHOOLGOOD SHEPHERD LUTHERAN CHURCH & SCHOOL

CELEBRATING 60 YEARS IN GOD’S SERVICECELEBRATING 60 YEARS IN GOD’S SERVICECELEBRATING 60 YEARS IN GOD’S SERVICECELEBRATING 60 YEARS IN GOD’S SERVICE

Dear Faithful People of Good Shepherd, We are about two and half weeks into our Lenten journey and about two and a half months since The Rev. Matthew Harris, the president of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod asked the Rev. Rob Morris, pastor of Christ the King Lutheran Church in Newtown, Conn., to apologize for participating in a public interfaith vigil after twenty children and six adults were brutally murdered at The Sandy Hook Elementary School. As a pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, I have been grieving the fact that most people’s exposure to “Lutherans” in the media since this horrific event has been overwhelmingly nega-tive. To be honest most people outside of the Lutheran Church are unaware of the differences be-tween The ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America), LCMS (Lutheran Church Missouri Synod), WELS (Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod) or the CLB (Church of The Lutheran Breth-ren). To be even more honest most Lutherans in these “Lutheran” denominations would be hard pressed to tell you what sets them apart from the rest as well. So as members of The Church of The Good Shepherd- Lutheran (our official congregational name), which is a member of The ELCA, we might find it useful to review our core beliefs so we can not only defend our denomination, but so we can speak articulately and passionately about how we experience and share God’s precious gift of grace! I invite you to take just five minutes a day during the remainder of Lent to deepen your under-standing of our basic beliefs. An easy way to begin is by visiting www.elca.org and clicking on the link What We Believe. As you read you will discover that some confessional resources are mentioned. I en-courage you to access those resources as well and to get acquainted with them. I will happily help supply you with additional resources if needed, and I invite your questions and discussion. If there is interest, I will also happily organize a group study in the spring or make it the topic of our next Ad-vent series. Why should you go to all the trouble to learn what we as ELCA Lutherans profess to believe? Well that is simple. I want to encourage your study because what we profess and stand for is nothing shy of God’s all-inclusive, all- powerful, all-forgiving, and all-loving grace! In direct response to the unfortunate way in which this Missouri Synod controversy has acted to further insult and injure a battered community and people of other faith traditions beyond that com-munity as well as the reputation of “Lutherans” in general, several of my colleagues and I are sponsor-ing a thoughtful draft resolution written by Pastor Jim O’Hanlon of Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church in Rye Brook, N.Y., to be brought to our Next Synod Assembly entitled- Is It OK To Pray? It is our de-sire for the Synod to endorse and send a version of this resolution to the ELCA Church Wide Assem-bly so we can better respond and profess our beliefs in an ever-increasing multi-cultural and inter-faith environment. Please take a minute to read this draft and share your thoughts with me. I know that together we can bring the Good News of Christ to the world with integrity and joy, healing and hope. Faithfully Yours in Christ, Pastor Eric Olaf Olsen

Is It OK To Pray? (Begin Draft )

Whereas members of the ELCA find themselves in a society that is rapidly changing in many ways not the least of which is the shift from a nation with protestant primacy to a nation in which the fast-est growing belief group has been identified as unaffiliated or non believers and in which non-

Christians are gaining in visibility and status and Whereas the United States is the most religiously expressive of any developed nation and often conflicted on the constitu-tional protection of religious liberty and the prohibition of government establishment of religion and Whereas our nation's collective response to civil disturbance and community tragedies is to seek comfort and reassurance from the Bible and to gather the diverse religious leaders of our society to jointly give expression to our search for comfort, hope and healing and Whereas while we join our sisters and brothers in the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod in seeking to avoid a confusing and inappropriate "joint worship" we also believe with stronger conviction in exhibiting compassion for our community and giving public expression to our practices and specifically a belief in and commitment to working collaboratively with all our neighbors as central for any who would follow the way of Christ be it Resolved that The ELCA Church-wide Assembly commission a working group to draft a theological statement on what we believe and teach with regard to the beliefs and practices of those Christians outside any of our joint ecumenical agreements and our under-standing of the beliefs and practices of non Christians and nonbelievers with regard to the status of their eternal souls, the poten-tial virtue of their teachings and the value of dialogue and joint service to our community and joint prayer be it further Resolved that the working group for a statement on our stated beliefs about the existence of the diversity of theological expression submit its draft for discussion and consideration for action to a future Church-wide Assembly and be it further Resolved that the said working group offer resources for our reflection in our congregations that address the potential for grief and depres-sion within the ELCA as it is confronted with the loss of the primacy of protestantism and our shrinking numbers by examining the experience of Christians who today live as a minority in Asia and other places, the experience of the early members of the Ref-ormation who lived with persecution and the experience of the Apostles and early Christians who lived as a minority that sought public legitimacy and endured persecution. and be it further Resolved that the working group examine the relevance of the experience of Dietrich Bonhoeffer and others who came to see the value and Christian nature of viewing "history from below" and be it further Resolved that the working group revisit and consider the impact of the 1994 Declaration of the ELCA to the Jewish Community and suggest ways to commemorate and evaluate its 25th anniversary in 2019 and be it further Resolved that the working group offer resources on interfaith cooperation and guidelines for effective and appropriate ways to join in prayer and public action.

By the time you read this we as a congregation should have had our successful 60th anniversary For Future Generations campaign luncheon, if we did not have another snow storm! At that luncheon you should have heard this continuing theme throughout the campaign: we are celebrating the past, the vi-sion of the founding members of the congregation with their purchase of ten acres of property and start-ing a congregation with the vision for future generations; we are celebrating the present, the founders’ future generation here and now; and we are also celebrating the future—our vision for future genera-tions—in the same way our founding members had—by updating all our buildings to be more energy efficient, heating, cooling, and lighting. We will also be doing other things to bring our facility into good repair so that it will serve us and future generation for many more years. Even without the official start of the campaign there are projects under way by the property committee. A gas line has been installed to the parsonage so that old furnace can be replaced with a more efficient energy saving unit. When the weather gets warm enough, the parsonage driveway will be paved. The base has been laid and settled since the fall. Some of the lighting around the school has been updated, and we hope it all should be completed in a month or two. Our contractor has been busy with work for some of the Sandy storm victims which I think at this time is a higher priority. Hopefully the weather will get better so that you all can have a very enjoyable spring and summer. Come to church and be a part of the expanding vibrant programs at your church.

LOVE, PEACE and JOY

NEW MEMBERS On Transfiguration Sunday, February 10, and the following Sunday, February 17, Good Shepherd Lutheran church welcomed some new faces and welcomed back some familiar ones to our congregation. Whom have you already met?

SSSS tephanie (Zacek) and Jonathan Brienza, along with their children, Alexander and the twins Mia and Joseph wanted to become a part of Good Shepherd’s family. Stephanie grew up in Good Shepherd,

attending nursery school and church since age three and has very fond memories of our church. Stephanie and Jon met at Long Island Lutheran Middle & High School in junior year, began dating, and went to the prom together. Though separated throughout college, they stayed in touch. It was not until 9-11 happened that they reunited and began to spend time together again. They were married here in 2004 with Pastor Ron Gothberg officiat-ing. Residents of Oyster Bay, the Brienzas had their first child, Alexander on October 28, 2009. Pastor Ron baptized him in the Lu-Hi chapel. “We started to come back to Good Shepherd because we heard such wonderful things about Pastor Eric. We really enjoyed coming back to worship but had difficulty finding time,” Stephanie stated. On May 8, 2012, the Brienzas welcomed twins, Mia and Joseph into their family. Stephanie and Jon feel it is very im-portant to have their children grow up with a warm church family, which was their reason for returning to their Good Shepherd’s family! Alex currently attends our three year old Sunday school class and will be at-tending our school’s pre-k program in September. Jon works in a family business, Pioneer Building Materi-als in New Hyde Park, while Stephanie is blessed to be able to stay at home full time with their children. Their three little ones and their dog Bella keep them quite busy!

KKKK elly (Moloney) Chester also became an active member along with her husband Alexander as they prepare for the baptism of their son Benjamin on April 7. Alex and Kelly were married at Good Shepherd by Pastor Stephanie Pope on

July 31, 2009 and recently welcomed their first child, Benjamin. Kelly has been a member of Good Shepherd since childhood. Now that she and her husband are raising a family on Long Island, they are eager to once again become active members of this church.

JJJJ oAnn Schulz-Dellacona started attending worship services at Good Shepherd around Thanksgiving and has always felt welcome by our congregation. A Westbury resident, JoAnn is the mother of five and grandmother to nine. Two years ago, she retired from her 31-year career in healthcare at Stony

Brook University Medical Center. Pastor Olsen has been a “wonderful support during a very difficult time,” and JoAnn is very happy to be part of this congregation.

JJJJ ennifer (Bennett) and Kevin Lee met through mutual friends at a New Year’s Eve party that rang in 2008 and have been together ever since. On June 26, 2010, they were pronounced “man and wife” by Pastor John Flack at the Harbour Club in Huntington. Jennifer grew in in Floral Park and attended

Sunday school at Christ Lutheran Church. She is an elementary school teacher who enjoys horseback riding. For ten years, Jennifer was also a firefighter and EMT-D in the Floral Park and West Hempstead Fire De-partments. Kevin grew up in Syosset and attended religious instruction at St. Edward’s Catholic Church.

Kevin is a diesel mechanic as well as an active member of the Syosset Fire Department. Kevin and Jennifer live in Syosset with their yellow Lab, Lieutenant (LT) but are looking forward to a new addition to their family coming soon, possibly by the time you read this newsletter! They are very excited and preparing for their first child! The Lees chose Good Shepherd church after looking into Lutheran churches near their home. They decided to attend a service here and im-mediately felt at home.

LLLL ast November, we welcomed Melissa Gresser into our family, and on February 17, her daughters Madison & Sienna were baptized here. Their godparents are Melissa’s brother and sister, Jeff Kassan and Nicole Soricelli. Madison will celebrate her tenth birthday on

March 22 and is in fourth grade at Birchwood Elementary School. She enjoys tap dancing and Girl Scouts and recently began taking violin lessons in school. Madison’s mom describes her as a “sweet young girl that brings a smile to those around her.” Her sister Sienna will have her sixth birthday on August 9. In kindergarten, she is learning to read and write. Sienna likes to sing, dance, and do arts & crafts. Full of fun and personality, Sienna is sure to entertain!

JJJJ ennifer (Zacek) Stoddart was born in Connecticut and moved to Old Bethpage when she was four. The oldest of three, we knew her as the daughter of Vera & Karl Zacek and the sister of Adam and Stephanie (Brienza). Jennifer’s family

was members of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, and she received her first holy com-munion and made her confirmation here. She graduated from Lutheran High School and attained her bachelor’s degree in Psychology at LIU, CW Post in 1995, then contin-ued to earned her Masters in Social Work from Adelphi University. Jennifer married Mark, whom she met at Lu-Hi, in June 2001. Matthew was born on September 5, 2005 and is now 7 years old and is in 2nd grade. His interests include dinosaurs, insects, art and Legos. Samantha was born on April 9, 2010 and just began pre-school this year. She loves to dance, attends gymnastics and is definitely a “girly” girl. Around 10 years ago, Jennifer moved on from So-cial Work and began working for her father’s family business, All-System Aerospace Int’l., Inc. Their business sells helicopter parts to the U.S. military and all over the world. Jennifer and her family currently live in Mineola and have resided there for over 7 ½ years. Jennifer is looking forward to having her children, Matthew and Samantha, grow up at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church the same way she did many years ago and is excited to teach them God’s love with the help of Pastor Eric and our Good Shepherd family!

AAAA ndrea and Eric Uzzo have been married for 13 years and live in Bethpage with their three children, Eric, Jonathan, and Christina. Age 12 Eric attends Island Trees Middle School and plays travel soccer for Plainview Old Bethpage. He

also plays baseball for Island Trees. Eight year old Jonathan attends Stokes Elementary School and also plays travel baseball for Island Trees in addition to football and soccer. Christina is 6 years old and attends Sparke Elementary School. She is currently in her second year of dance. The children have adjusted wonderfully to Sunday school and attending ser-vices. Andrea’s choice to join Good Shepherd with her children was by recommendation from Pastor Charley at the Lutheran Church of our Savior in Port Washington, where her sister is a member. They attended many services and events at the Lutheran Church of our Savior and “can’t thank Pastor Charley enough for sending us to Good Shepherd!”

ssss now kept Anthony Vollono away on February 10th but not in the same way that many of

us were kept inside that weekend. Anthony was out working overtime to ensure everyone else’s safety and a swift return to normalcy after the blizzard. We all know Anthony as

Cathy’s husband, and because he has participated in so many work-related projects here over the years, many of us may have assumed he already was a member (including him!) But after all these years of his treating us like family and our making him feel part of the family, he really did become fam-ily a week later on February 17th.

DATE SERVICE ASSISTING MINISTER LECTOR

March 3

Third Sunday in Lent 10:00 a.m. Judy Hinsch Gretel Saul

March 10

Fourth Sunday in Lent 10:00 a.m. John Schwaninger Ellen Sangesland

March 17

Fifth Sunday in Lent 10:00 a.m. Lori Mason Marilyn Benner

March 24

Palm Sunday 10:00 a.m. Ellen Sangesland Richard Benson

March 30

Easter Vigil 7:30 p.m. John Schwaninger

Dell-Ann Benson (1st & 3rd) Anne Rickmeyer (2nd) Tom Benson (4th) Paul Hinsch (5th)

Ellen Sangesland (6th)

March 31

Easter Sunday

6:00 a.m.

10:00 a.m.

Dell-Ann Benson

Paul Hinsch

March 28

Maundy Thursday Holy Eucharist & Foot Washing

7:30 p.m. Anne Rickmeyer Dell-Ann Benson

March 27

Wednesday Prayer Service for Healing & Anointing with Oil

7:30 p.m. Tom Benson George Benson

March 29—Good Friday

Stations of the Cross

Tenebrae

2:00 p.m

7:30 p.m.

Please Sign up to do an Individual Reflection

Ellen Sangesland

Cathy Vollono

Our Stewardship Team wants to thank each of you very much for sharing God’s gifts. We have received 81 Pledges this year, one more than last year which represents a total dollar increase in the amount of 3.5%. The offering of these financial gifts enables Good Shepherd to fulfill its ministry. As stewards of God, we have various responsibilities – self-sacrifice, sharing our time, talent, and financial resources, commitment and challenge. By generously giving of ourselves, we discover the blessings of Christ and grow in faith. Thank you for your 2013 commitments. “Give and

gifts will be given to you” – Luke 6:38.

The Stewardship Team

Sue Devine, Debbie Dexter and George Milhim

Wednesday, February 20th marked our first soup & bread supper of this 2013 Lenten season. We are so grateful to eve-ryone who has contributed to this won-derful gathering each year and to those who have signed up to contribute this year. We still need many more volunteers to make this program the success that it has

been the past two years. Please consider stepping up to the plate...or, in this case...the bowl! Please add your name to this list in the narthex.

Thank you!

� First Station: Jesus Prays in the Garden of Olives

Passage: Luke 22:39 - 46

� Second Station: Jesus is Betrayed by Judas

Passage: Matthew 26: 45 – 49

� Third Station: Jesus is Condemned to Death by the Sanhedrin Passage: Mark 14: 56, 61 – 64

� Fourth Station: Jesus is Denied by Peter Passage: Luke 22: 54 – 62

� Fifth Station: Jesus is Judged by Pilate Passage: Luke 23: 20 - 25

� Sixth Station: Jesus is Scourged and Crowned with Thorns Passage: John 19: 1 - 3

� Seventh Station: Jesus Carries His Cross Passage: John 19: 17

� Eighth Station: Jesus is Helped by Simon of Cyrene Passage: Mark 15: 20 – 21

� Ninth Station: Jesus Encounters the Women of Jerusalem Passage: Luke 23: 27 – 31

� Tenth Station: Jesus is Crucified Passage: Mark 15: 22 – 26

� Eleventh Station: Jesus Promises to Share his Reign with the Good Thief

Passage: Luke 23: 39 – 43

� Twelfth Station: Jesus Speaks to Mary and the Beloved Disciple at the Foot of the Cross

Passage: John 19: 25 – 27

� Thirteenth Station: Jesus Dies on the Cross Passage: Matthew: 27: 45 – 50

� Fourteenth Station: Jesus is Placed in the Tomb Passage: Matthew 27: 57 - 61

This year, Good Friday is on March 29. As in the past, we will be making the Stations of the Cross at a 2:00 p.m. service. Your participation is necessary. Please consider reading one or more of these 14 passages fol-lowed by a personal reflection at this service. In a few weeks, the “sign up” sheet will be posted in the narthex, but in the meantime, the passages are listed below for you to reflect upon and consider sharing on Good Friday. And when that “sign up” sheet does ap-pear, you will be ready to put your name exactly where you’d like it. Thank you very much!

We need volunteers to help fold, tape, and label our monthly news-letter for mailing. This happens toward the end of each month after Maureen has designed, written, prepared, and printed the newsletter. If you can spare about

three hours, one day a month, to do this, please call the church office. It takes about four people to do this job, so you may not be needed every month. We’d like to expand the pool of people that might be available to help get this mailing out. Will you please consider “jumping into that pool”? Thank you!

-submitted by Helen Gschiedle

Each Wednesday evening at 7:30 p.m. we gather together for our weekly Lenten prayer ser-vice, Beneath the Cross of Jesus: We live our lives beneath the cross of Jesus, beneath God's manifold love and grace that reach to us even from Calvary. Based on the hymn "Beneath the Cross of Jesus" (ELW 338), this se-ries explores what it means for us to abide at the foot of the cross, to cling to the rock of our salva-tion, to dwell in the house of the Lord, and to con-

fess our sins and receive God's forgiveness. Please visit www.ourshepherdlives.org each week

and click on the Forty Days of Lent icon for the fo-cus of each upcoming service and to listen to the service you may have missed.

You may have noticed that we resumed mailing our monthly newsletter to your home. If you would prefer to receive it through e-mail only,

please e-mail Maureen, church@ourshepherdlives.org. Please help us keep our records up to date. Thank you.

Page 7

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...

Anne Araco (Lori Tollefsen’s mother), Mau-reen Kelly Araujo, Alex & Derek Bartkow, Annette & Bill Benson, Sandy Benson (Tom’s mother), John Binsfeld (Benner family friend), Martin Boltizar (Louise Lamont’s cousin), Larry Brokaw (Amy Pietrofere’s stepfather), Lynne Carlson (Irma’s daughter-in-law), Clau-dia Churchill (Amy Pietrofere’s mother), Lorraine Cu (Marta Scherer’s friend), Chris Cucci and his family (Naomi Hulver’s stu-dent), Rita Cunningham (Cronin family friend), Ken Dixon (Pastor Eric’s friend), Sara D’Iorio (Eisele family friend), Susan Dowd (Maisch family friend), Anna Duda (Denise Bartkow’s mother), Ryan Faret & his family, Jim & Lois Fassino, James Fields (Vincent and Dorothy Cronin’s nephew), Mary Gessing (Dorothy and Vincent Cronin’s cousin), Rashid Ghani (Mason family friend), Erika Green, Natalie Heavren (Eleanor Pearson’s cousin), Norma Hinsch, Bodey Johnson (Karl & Carol Burfeindt’s great grandson), Jake (Maisch family friend) and his family, Lillian Kassan (Jeff’s mother), Lisa Krenkel (Terry Miccio’s cousin); Connor Kyranikas (Eisele family friend); Toni Anne LaGois, Helen Lanza, Francis Lee (Helen Kopf’s son), Diane Lisa (Cathy Vollono’s friend), Bea McCabe, Pastor Fred McElderry (St. Andrew’s in West Hempstead), John Meyer (Lori Defilip-pis’ father), Charlie & Judi Miranda (Dell-Ann’s parents), Mary Ellen Moyse (George’s wife), Leida Munoz (Marta Scherer’s friend), Ruth Odwazny, Keith Perry (Bonnie Beach-Gadigian’s friend), Joan Peterson (Eleanor Pearson’s sister in law), Tristan Phillips (Grace Berry’s great grandaughter), Kyle Pira-neo, Nick Portugal (Liam Broggy’s friend), Justin Rogers (Karin Kienle’s nephew) and his parents Christine & Tom Greenwood, Fred Ruff, Julia Saprenza, Glenn Schabel, Margaret Schulze (Judy Hinsch’s friend), Arlene Schroe-der (Virginia’s sister in law), Adam Sink (Judy Hinsch’s nephew), Genevieve Sounia, Ian Spadaro, Maria Spergel (Suzanna Allan’s mother), Joyce Tare, Peggy Taylor (Amy Piet-rofere’s friend), Leon Thompson (Lisa Olsen’s father), and Bill Vorstadt.

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

Keith & Kyle Calderone (Army), Specialist Sean Hassett (Lori Mason’s cousin), David Jacobs (Joyce Tare’s nephew, Alec & Madi-son’s cousin), CPT. Paul Rickmeyer, LTC. Phillip Sounia, USMC Lance Corporal Nicho-las Ventrelli-O’Connell (Patty Larson’s family friend), and Christopher Zito (Mary Knotek’s friend).

Roger Griffith & Nick Sollom

Mary Wiegert & the family & friends of her stepfather, Jack Neff, the Cooke family & the friends of Mike Adams, Gail Haupt and the family & friends of her father, Sal Per-one, Jim & Lori Mason & the family & friends of their friend, Eileen Cornelius, the family & friends of Doreen Winter, Isabel Boykin, Dorothy Vogel, Peter Marceel & Dominick Binetti, and the people of New-town, CT.

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

G I V I N G T H A N K SG I V I N G T H A N K SG I V I N G T H A N K SG I V I N G T H A N K S

The family & friends of Emily Trapp give thanks in celebration of Emily’s 90th birth-day on March 8!

If you would like to submit an article for inclu-If you would like to submit an article for inclu-If you would like to submit an article for inclu-If you would like to submit an article for inclu-

sion in our April 2013 Newsletter, please esion in our April 2013 Newsletter, please esion in our April 2013 Newsletter, please esion in our April 2013 Newsletter, please e----mail it to church@ourshepherdlives.org on or before Thurs-mail it to church@ourshepherdlives.org on or before Thurs-mail it to church@ourshepherdlives.org on or before Thurs-mail it to church@ourshepherdlives.org on or before Thurs-

When Your Spirit Is StirringWhen Your Spirit Is StirringWhen Your Spirit Is StirringWhen Your Spirit Is Stirring (Claudia DeMauro)Claudia DeMauro)Claudia DeMauro)Claudia DeMauro)

When your spirit is stirring and all seems to have gone awry,When your spirit is stirring and all seems to have gone awry,When your spirit is stirring and all seems to have gone awry,When your spirit is stirring and all seems to have gone awry,

The inclination of our flesh is to want the answer to “Why God? Why?”The inclination of our flesh is to want the answer to “Why God? Why?”The inclination of our flesh is to want the answer to “Why God? Why?”The inclination of our flesh is to want the answer to “Why God? Why?”

When your spirit is stirring, and the mountain before you seems nothing short of immense,When your spirit is stirring, and the mountain before you seems nothing short of immense,When your spirit is stirring, and the mountain before you seems nothing short of immense,When your spirit is stirring, and the mountain before you seems nothing short of immense,

Take a deep breath, and trust that in His time, it will all make sense.Take a deep breath, and trust that in His time, it will all make sense.Take a deep breath, and trust that in His time, it will all make sense.Take a deep breath, and trust that in His time, it will all make sense.

When your spirit is stirring, and you can feel something shifting,When your spirit is stirring, and you can feel something shifting,When your spirit is stirring, and you can feel something shifting,When your spirit is stirring, and you can feel something shifting,

Continue to pray without ceasing, as you begin to feel the weight of your cross slowly lifting.Continue to pray without ceasing, as you begin to feel the weight of your cross slowly lifting.Continue to pray without ceasing, as you begin to feel the weight of your cross slowly lifting.Continue to pray without ceasing, as you begin to feel the weight of your cross slowly lifting.

When your spirit is stirring, and your thoughts are restless and racing,When your spirit is stirring, and your thoughts are restless and racing,When your spirit is stirring, and your thoughts are restless and racing,When your spirit is stirring, and your thoughts are restless and racing,

Go to God with your storm and surrender to Him all that you are facing.Go to God with your storm and surrender to Him all that you are facing.Go to God with your storm and surrender to Him all that you are facing.Go to God with your storm and surrender to Him all that you are facing.

When your spirit is stirring, and you are filled with untamed inspirations,When your spirit is stirring, and you are filled with untamed inspirations,When your spirit is stirring, and you are filled with untamed inspirations,When your spirit is stirring, and you are filled with untamed inspirations,

Ask God for guidance and He will bring clarity to your path of aspirations.Ask God for guidance and He will bring clarity to your path of aspirations.Ask God for guidance and He will bring clarity to your path of aspirations.Ask God for guidance and He will bring clarity to your path of aspirations.

When your spirit is stirring and you don’t know where to turn,When your spirit is stirring and you don’t know where to turn,When your spirit is stirring and you don’t know where to turn,When your spirit is stirring and you don’t know where to turn,

Sit in silence with God and ask Him “What lessons on this journey are there for me to learn?”Sit in silence with God and ask Him “What lessons on this journey are there for me to learn?”Sit in silence with God and ask Him “What lessons on this journey are there for me to learn?”Sit in silence with God and ask Him “What lessons on this journey are there for me to learn?”

When your spirit is stirring, be sure to give thanks and praise,When your spirit is stirring, be sure to give thanks and praise,When your spirit is stirring, be sure to give thanks and praise,When your spirit is stirring, be sure to give thanks and praise,

As it is God’s way of saying that hope is alive within you, and ahead of you lie better days.As it is God’s way of saying that hope is alive within you, and ahead of you lie better days.As it is God’s way of saying that hope is alive within you, and ahead of you lie better days.As it is God’s way of saying that hope is alive within you, and ahead of you lie better days.

When your spirit is stirring, and you know that change is on the horizon,When your spirit is stirring, and you know that change is on the horizon,When your spirit is stirring, and you know that change is on the horizon,When your spirit is stirring, and you know that change is on the horizon,

Just know that with God by your side, your journey might turn out to be rather surprising.Just know that with God by your side, your journey might turn out to be rather surprising.Just know that with God by your side, your journey might turn out to be rather surprising.Just know that with God by your side, your journey might turn out to be rather surprising.

When your spirit is stirring, and the stormy waves of change are washing you out to sea, reach out When your spirit is stirring, and the stormy waves of change are washing you out to sea, reach out When your spirit is stirring, and the stormy waves of change are washing you out to sea, reach out When your spirit is stirring, and the stormy waves of change are washing you out to sea, reach out

your hand and call to him “Please God, come rescue me!” …your hand and call to him “Please God, come rescue me!” …your hand and call to him “Please God, come rescue me!” …your hand and call to him “Please God, come rescue me!” …

But whatever you do don’t pray that He brings you to shore.But whatever you do don’t pray that He brings you to shore.But whatever you do don’t pray that He brings you to shore.But whatever you do don’t pray that He brings you to shore.

As it is often in the midst of the stormy seas that He teaches us we have always been anointedAs it is often in the midst of the stormy seas that He teaches us we have always been anointedAs it is often in the midst of the stormy seas that He teaches us we have always been anointedAs it is often in the midst of the stormy seas that He teaches us we have always been anointed

to rise from the ashes…and become so much more.to rise from the ashes…and become so much more.to rise from the ashes…and become so much more.to rise from the ashes…and become so much more.

Happy Birthday March Babies!Happy Birthday March Babies!Happy Birthday March Babies!Happy Birthday March Babies!

Nicole DeFilippis Nicole DeFilippis Nicole DeFilippis Nicole DeFilippis ———— 3/29 3/29 3/29 3/29

Sue Devine Sue Devine Sue Devine Sue Devine ———— 3/31 3/31 3/31 3/31

Madison GresserMadison GresserMadison GresserMadison Gresser————3/223/223/223/22

John Hinsch John Hinsch John Hinsch John Hinsch ———— 3/28 3/28 3/28 3/28

Jordan Hinsch Jordan Hinsch Jordan Hinsch Jordan Hinsch ———— 3/29 3/29 3/29 3/29

Declan Jansky Declan Jansky Declan Jansky Declan Jansky ---- one year old on 3/4 one year old on 3/4 one year old on 3/4 one year old on 3/4

Erika Jurik Erika Jurik Erika Jurik Erika Jurik ———— 3/8 3/8 3/8 3/8

Meagan Knapp Meagan Knapp Meagan Knapp Meagan Knapp ———— 3/12 3/12 3/12 3/12

Allie Olanick Allie Olanick Allie Olanick Allie Olanick ———— 3/20 3/20 3/20 3/20

Lars Olsen Lars Olsen Lars Olsen Lars Olsen ———— 3/6 3/6 3/6 3/6

Katalina Paterakis Katalina Paterakis Katalina Paterakis Katalina Paterakis ———— 3/9 3/9 3/9 3/9

Kimberly Sieloff Kimberly Sieloff Kimberly Sieloff Kimberly Sieloff ————---- 3/1 3/1 3/1 3/1

Emily Trapp Emily Trapp Emily Trapp Emily Trapp ———— 3/8 3/8 3/8 3/8

Christina Uzzo Christina Uzzo Christina Uzzo Christina Uzzo ———— 3/16 3/16 3/16 3/16

Jonathan Uzzo Jonathan Uzzo Jonathan Uzzo Jonathan Uzzo ———— 3/28 3/28 3/28 3/28

Michael Walsh Michael Walsh Michael Walsh Michael Walsh ———— 3/13 3/13 3/13 3/13

Naomi & Naomi & Naomi & Naomi & John HulverJohn HulverJohn HulverJohn Hulver

March March March March 24242424thththth

First First First First Anniversary!Anniversary!Anniversary!Anniversary!

Lillianna Shiowa Mason Lillianna Shiowa Mason Lillianna Shiowa Mason Lillianna Shiowa Mason was born on Februarywas born on Februarywas born on Februarywas born on February 20202020th th th th at 10:51at 10:51at 10:51at 10:51 a.m. a.m. a.m. a.m.

Congratulations to Keith & KatyCongratulations to Keith & KatyCongratulations to Keith & KatyCongratulations to Keith & Katy and to and to and to and to

Grandma Lori & Grandpa Jim!Grandma Lori & Grandpa Jim!Grandma Lori & Grandpa Jim!Grandma Lori & Grandpa Jim!

UPDATE FOR MARCH 2013

WITH COUNSELING SITES LOCATED IN: NASSAU SUFFOLK MANHATTAN QUEENS WESTCHESTER

Prepared especially for LCC Association Congregations & Schools

The word “disaster” is derived from the Latin

“dis” (against) and “astrum “(stars)—hence a dis-

aster is literally an event that goes against the

stars. The ancients looked to the stars as guide-

posts of order and normality, as signs that all was

right with the world. A disaster is an event that

announces something is very wrong with the world:

order mutates into chaos, which becomes the new

norm. Hurricane Sandy established a new norm for

thousands of us.

For days I tracked the path of the storm swirl

lazily up the coast. The day before its arrival I

lounged on my living room sofa watching its ap-

proach on CNN. The day after its arrival when we

returned home, there was no sofa, no living room,

and no home anymore. Gone suddenly were com-

fort and convenience, safety and security, memo-

ries and dreams. Gone also was our view of the

Great South Bay with its array of wonders: the

pleasantly pungent scent of the sea; the bright

bloodshot clouds at sunset; and the glory of swan

in flight. Gone also were hundreds of books, files,

documents, and a small warehouse of appliances

and electronics. The aftermath of disaster was our

new, abrupt and unwanted, norm. Perhaps it was

yours also.

We all share the same disaster, but not the

same story. But we all need to be prepared to meet

our psychological needs and those of others. There

is no standard response to disaster. Perhaps the

most well-known psychiatric response is Post Trau-

matic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Some studies sug-

gest that 10 to 30 percent of highly impacted indi-

viduals will develop PTSD. For most people, post

traumatic psychiatric symptoms are transitory.

However for some the effects of disaster linger and

symptoms do not resurface until years later. The

severity of the disruption of a person’s life is the

best predictor of psychological difficulties.

PTSD is not the only disorder associated with

disasters. Major depression, generalized anxiety,

substance abuse, and unresolved grief are also

common. Sudden loss is also associated with great

anger, but anger must find appropriate expression

and avoid excessive blaming (of insurance compa-

nies, government programs, authority figures), and

avoid displaced hostility (toward family members,

community leaders, and even helpers and God.).

Appropriate anger gives voice to its hurt without

hurting others.

I am a pastor and a psychotherapist, but that

does not make me any less impervious to the dis-

aster’s aftermath. I selectively choose to talk

about my experience with others—individually and

in groups. It has been helpful. I do not know what

is helpful for you. I cannot write for you an “After

Disaster Handbook.” You have to write your own.

But you do not have to write it alone. Do consider

the offering of LCC which is providing individual

counseling and group programs (both without the

added stress of affordability).

Disasters are not always exclusively bad. Some

people find impetus to not only heal well but to

grow much in the aftermath. When this happens, it

is not because a person has found his “lucky stars,”

but rather that he has been found by the Lord of

the stars. The Lord wants to give us health and

growth. LCC wants to be a pathway to that gift.

*LCC has disaster-related counseling avail-

able at all sites at little or NO cost to you. Call

us for details.

The Rev. Alan Steinke is a retired pastor and for-

mer clergy consultant to the Bishop of the English

District-LCMS as a member of the Ministerial Health

Commission. Pastor Steinke, with an MSW Degree

from Yeshiva University, New York, has had exten-

sive experience in the field of psychotherapy. He

also holds a Master of Divinity Degree from Concor-

dia Seminary, St. Louis, Mo. He is a Licensed Clini-

cal Social Worker and has completed extensive re-

search in the area of anger management. Pastor

Steinke is a Clinical Supervisor with LCC as well as

a practitioner, counseling children, couples and

adults at LCC’s Mineola and Brooklyn sites. He is

counselor-in-residence one day a week at Trinity

Lutheran School in Hicksville.

Contact Lutheran Counseling Center at 516-741-

0994 or 1-800-317-1173 or e-mail us at Cen-

ter@lccny.org for more information or to set an ap-

pointment at any of our eight regular counseling

sites or at our temporary site in Staten Island. Visit our website at www.lccny.org .

REFLECTIONS AFTER DISASTER*

By Rev. Alan F. Steinke, M.Div.; LCSW, LCC Pastoral Psychotherapist