The Nativity

Posted on December 7, 2010 | Filed Under Choir

On December 15th, LICF’s Choir will perform ‘The Nativity’, a concert in words and music.  The concert will begin at 7:30pm in the Church Sanctuary (located at 697 West Montauk Highway, Bay Shore, NY).  Admission is $5 donation.  Light refreshments will be served immediately following the concert.

LICF Goes Latin!

Posted on October 29, 2010 | Filed Under Social Programs

Pls join us on Nov.20th from 7pm – midnight for a fun night of Latin dancing.  This event will be held at the Sayville VFW (400 Lakeland Avenue, Sayville NY)

Tickets are $25 per person and can be purchased by sending a check to LICF (697 West Montauk Highway, Bay Shore NY 11706) or at the door the night of the event.

Ticket price includes dance lessons from 7-8pm, latin dinner, dessert and coffee/tea.  A cash bar will also be available.  For more information, contact Eva@licf.net.

GLBT Arts Festival

Posted on October 13, 2010 | Filed Under Development

On Saturday, September 25, 2010, Stuart Thomas Manor in Farmingdale was alive with the sounds and the sights of art. Members of the Long Island GLBT Community (and their allies) came together for a magnificent display of talent.

The “Art Room” —filled with the most beautiful pieces of artwork to behold—bedazzled the attendees. The works of Rev. Dr. G. Shane Hibbs, Jenri Gonzalaz, Rob Camacho, Ed Smith, Brian Atkins, Rick Odell, and Luis Paccini were outstanding. Also on hand were Gina Pecoraro (of Seven Even), Edie Cunningham, Gina Decaro, Jonelle & Jennifer, and Long Island’s own Gay/Lesbian Film Festival with various—and uniquely crafted—items for purchase. Glenn Hansen and Pete Daly were the winners of the Silent Auction, and purchased a painting by Pastor Shane Hibbs. It will undoubtedly display prominently in their home.

The “Performance Room” was filled with musical entertainment at various points in the day. It started with the exuberant sounds of The Long Island Gay Men’s Chorus (doing both group and solo numbers), and Manhattan cabaret performer Erik Sisco, and his partner, Dana Piccoli. This duo immediately won the hearts of the entire audience.

Later in the day, singer Robert Urban treated the audience to some beautiful pieces. He is a welcomed guest at any event. This was followed by the outstanding Pandora’s Vox. No strangers to the Long Island GLBT Community, the members of Pandora’s Vox rocked the house, and had people dancing in the aisles. The performances were topped off by Long Island Community Fellowship’s own Gospel Choir. Under the leadership of Joe Fiore, Jr., once again the Choir enthralled their listeners.

Pastor Shane Hibbs was enthused about this project from the start. He, along with the LICF Leadership, worked with great effort to make this event happen. And while Pastor Shane was not physically there, everyone truly felt his presence at this event, and knew that he was proud.

Thank you to all who participated in this event for making it a great day!

Help Us ‘Build A Church’

Posted on October 12, 2010 | Filed Under Development

Our newest fundraising effort is rolling right along.  The program entitled ‘Help Build A Church’, enables participants to commit to purchasing a ‘brick’.  Each brick is worth $1000 and participants can raise money via a variety of ways (i.e., bake sales, donations, selling candy, etc.).  So far LICF family and friends have raised over $5,000! This kind of commitment and dedication shows just how much this church means to all of us. 

If you would like to commit to purchasing a ‘brick’ or donate money towards someone else’s brick, please contact George Settles at George@licf.net .

LICF Walks for a Good Cause

Posted on October 12, 2010 | Filed Under Development

On October 23rd at 9am, LICF family and friends will gather at Cedar Creek Park in Wantagh to walk 5K as a church fundraiser.  The event, spearheaded by our very own Jessy and Caroline, raised over $4,000 last year.  Besides getting together for a great cause, those who participated last year can attest to the fun we had walking along in the beautiful autumn weather, getting some exercise and just enjoying each other’s company.

If you would like to participate, please contact laura@licf.net.  If you can not walk that day, but would like to make a donation to LICF, please click on the ‘Donations’ tab under ‘Support’.

LICF Gospel Choir Performs at GLBT Arts Festival

Posted on October 12, 2010 | Filed Under Choir

LICF’s Gospel Choir rounded out the roster of fabulous entertainment showcased at LICF’s first GLBT Arts Festival.  This event, a brainchild of our late Pastor Shane Hibbs, was a very successful event held at Stuart Thomas Manor in Farmingdale, NY on September 25th.   The day’s long event opended with LI Gay Men’s Chorus.  Other performers included a cabaret singer, an all women rock band and a male song stylist among others. 

Our Gospel Choir extended their set of three songs to six at the last minute to cover a last minute performer cancellation.  Our choir rose to the challenge and sang beautifully, even being called back for an encore!  Pastor Shane would have been proud at the job well done.

In addition  to the Pastor’s paintings, a variety of other GLBT artists showed their wares.  There were painters, photographers, ceramics, hand-painted clothing, jewelry and crafts.  The artists and their work are a testament to the talent and beauty added to the world by our GLBT community.

Largely due to the success of this festival, it is going to be an annual event, with our Choir continuing to be a large part of the day’s event.

Changing Lives One Can At A Time

Posted on July 3, 2010 | Filed Under Community Food Pantry

"Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and will be repaid in full." Proverbs 19:1By: Bill Hahn

By:  Bill Hahn

I remember when we first started the food pantry back when we where meeting at a previous location. We did a holiday drive that addressed the needs during Thanksgiving and Christmas.  So many people were helped and lives were impacted by this very simple act of charity. After the holidays I spoke to Pastor Shane explained what I had seen and felt.  The reality is that people are hungry all year long.  Holidays is just a time we are reminded of those who don’t have.  So with much effort and dedication, LICF started a year round food pantry.

We have helped so many people over the years and the look of thanks on a persons’ face when you bring them food has been such a tremendous thanks.  I remember driving through a “high-end” neighborhood that made me question if this was a real delivery.  At the end of my journey, I found a couple who were in dire need.  I have seen need in the faces of very sick and need in the faces of people who have just met with economical challenges.

An amazing part of working with the Community Food Pantry is that over the years while attending community events I have seen people who we have helped and their gratitude to the ministry and my work is one of the greatest feelings and it is simply indescribable. They tell me how they are feeling better nor or have a new job and how they will never forget the help LICF gave them when they were in need.   To me that is what it is all about serving others and giving back from the bounty that God has given us.

I don’t want to fail to mention the generosity of community leaders and organizations who have assisted us over the years.  Jimmy Pizzo and CMP Media have funded the food pantry with grants throughout the years.  Each and every year the Long Island Ravens have given a grant to assist the help that goes forth from the pantry.

Thanks to a community and the vision of our ministry, we have a stronger community!

LICF Angels Got Shut Out

Posted on July 3, 2010 | Filed Under Sports Ministry

Game Summary-6/24

Persistent, outstanding effort once again was displayed by the LICF Angels. Ramona’s valiant effort was exceptional, keeping the scoring down against the first place team. She also contributed defensively in knocking down a line-drive hit direct to her stomach. She was not seriously injured and continued to pitch a great game  Tammi, John Q. & Jon P. made some exceptional defensive plays to help keep the Angels in the game.  Everyone played hard & with purpose against a highly talented and accomplished team. Game ball goes to the entire team for coming together in another valiant effort, especially defensively (including Gina’s great leaping catch of a line drive at shortstop!) The final score:

Hunters Garage   17
LICF Angels           0

LICF Gospel Choir opens the LI Gay Pride Festival

Posted on June 16, 2010 | Filed Under Choir

Choir Performs on Stage

by Joe Fiore Jr. – “Choir Member Extraordinaire”

The choir was the first act to perform at the Pride Festval in Huntington on June 13th.  What a thrill it was to stand in front of thousands of GLBT Long Islanders and sing.  You could see the people turn, one-by-one and face the stage to listen to the wonderful sound of our choir.What a great feeling it was to worship for the Lord at  this event.  The comments afterward, reflected the sentiment that we felt as we poured our hearts into our

Long Island Drag Queen Ariel and Choir Member Johnny in the Dressing Room

music.  People were telling us that we sounded great, were very professional and that the people would have loved to hear a couple more songs.  Pastor Shane’s leadership and our members practicing paid off.

It was strange to hang out backstage with the other performers in the show.  The band singers shared dressing tables with the drag queens, fighting  for room to put on their make-up.  And it was hard to stay focused on our ministry while listenting to the blare of “It’s Raining Men” on the park’s sound system.  Oh well, welcome to show biz’.

Thanks to the Pride Parade Committee for approving us and our song selection.  I hope that we are asked to sing again in the years to come.

The Meaning of Pride!

Posted on June 13, 2010 | Filed Under Taking Back Faith

I spent today walking down Main Street in Huntington in the humid air of a New York June day.  The streets were lined with hundreds of people as they cheered and celebrated pride.  The beat of the music had filled the air as each group made their way to the celebration in the park.  Many groups were in attendance, and the party had just begun.

So much to reflect on and as the day draw closes to an end.  I started the day off with a charge to the congregation of LICF talking about why we can really celebrate Pride.

While it is great to have a day to celebrate who we are, we don’t need a special day to celebrate who God made us.  We should be celebrating that each and every day of our life.

As the celebration took place today, I had a unique opportunity to internalize the joy of my creation.  God made me and I am so proud of it.  God made me and I have such a tremendous joy because of that.  God made me and in all that I am, I want my life to praise and celebrate God.  I have worth and value because of my creator.

I am proud to be gay!  I am proud to be Christian!  I am proud to be made by God in God’s image!

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• Testimonies

  "LICF is an uplifting place that has been life changing for me. I did not have a Christian life before LICF but now I know that God loves me just the way I am, a gay man."

  Bill Hahn

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