Greetings, Sisters and Brothers of the Heart! Here we are, already into the second month of a new decade, it’s February, and I salute you in “the Name of Love”. I do so because I believe that most agree that love is essential and important and in a perfect world diversity counts and respect ought to be common in community. Community is, after all, the...
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Beloved Friends, We as Believers can sometimes get tired of the constant battle that comes with our faith walk. The good news, however, is that we have been equipped to do battle in order to walk in victory. As we live out our lives here on earth, a genuinely practical and helpful principle for us to consider can be found in The Book of Ecclesiastes [3:1] which reminds us that… “To...
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Beloveds, Moving into the “dog days of summer”, I am thinking of the Victor Hugo quote: “nothing is more powerful than an idea whose time has come.” It’s been playing on repeat in my head since leaving TFAM’s Holy Convocation this past July. TFAM is an acronym for “The Fellowship of Affirming Ministries” and their convocation theme...
[Read more...]Happy Golden Anniversary! This year commemorates 50-years since the “Stonewall Uprising” and “we are glad about it!” The spontaneous demonstrations of rebellion that began on the night of June 28, 1969 and continued through the next six days changed the course of “LGBTQIATSNBGNC +” history forever. “Stonewall 50” as it is being called marks an...
[Read more...]Greetings Sisters and Brothers of Faith, Christendom has just celebrated Jesus’ miraculous fete of Resurrection which embodies death’s transforming power of birth out of the death of the old. Sadly, however, America’s present socio-political atmosphere is casting a “Good Friday” vibe. Hatred is flowing uninterrupted. Ideologies that many of us thought were dormant...
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Happy New Year’s Family! As I greet you, I can’t help to acknowledge the backdrop in which we say so long to 2018. The tapestry of that backdrop is comprised of ruthless political conflict; threats of terroristic social division, and the hubris of the country’s leader-in-chief shutting down the government… I recognize that more than a few people may not feel the usual gaiety...
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Good Citizens! America’s democracy appears to be ailing. For aren’t we indisputably witnessing unprecedented attacks by the American Presidency on the media; the judiciary; federal law enforcement; the electoral process; state and local governments; Congress; democratic customs and principles; and civil society to name a few. Daily, the divider in chief, Donald Trump, spits rhetoric that...
[Read more...]Beloved Friends, It is unfortunate that as a culture, America blames its victims. In other words, victims are not to supposed to do, say, or wear anything [i.e., black men fighting back when attacked; or women in short or tight-fitting clothing fighting harder when assaulted] to antagonize or provoke adverse responses in probable predators. More pointedly,...
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Beloveds, Every day each of us is presented a choice of “ME or WE” when we say our prayers; make decisions; establish priorities; or live our lives either as insulated and isolated individuals or as persons connected interdependently with others. In any case, emptiness, derived from of a sense of isolation, frequently becomes a prerequisite for desperation. Desperation in turn happens...
[Read more...]Beloveds, The annual season of “Pride” has come to a close but in place of “afterglow”, which generally follows Pride celebrations, it is the glowing embers of tenuous liberties overcasting the day. This is to say, too many U.S. states are either passing or proposing to pass legislation that wantonly discriminates or abjectly reduce/reverse the civil rights of historically...
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Juli Grey-Owens has been a Long Island and New York State transgender community advocate for over fifteen years. She is the Executive Director of LITAC, the Long Island Transgender Advocacy Coalition, whose mission is to advocate for the transgender, non-binary, and intersex communities. Grey-Owens regularly speaks at public forums about the need for statewide transgender […]
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What does LICF mean to me? Family, love, friendships and trust. I’d been searching for a church where I could be myself and be accepted for who I am. I found that here at LICF. From the moment I walked in I felt welcomed. After hearing Pastor Shane I knew this would be my place to call home, to worship God. The friendships I’ve made will stay with me forever. My spiritual growth with the Lord helps me be a better person with the choices I make in life. I’m thankful everyday that I came to LICF. I look forward to every Sunday service and events that we share as a family.
My life has been enlightened with the blessing of a new found family in the LICF family.Being a member of LICF has helped me regain my faith in life, people and most importantly in GOD.
“Long Island Community Fellowship, is a Church where I can Freely Worship, Praise, Glorify and Honor Jesus Christ just the way God created me to be, without feeling an outcast while being Spiritually fed on the Word of God. LICF, It is more than a Church, it is Home to me as I look forward to each and every Sunday for fellowship with my Church Family in Christ Jesus AMEN.”
“We were both brought up being raised Catholic. After many years of failed attempts to find a Christian (house of worship) we finally came across LICF. Finding a spiritual Church that welcomes all God’s children, has given us the blessing to reclaim our faith…*(Happily Married, 25yrs)* –
“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.”
I came to LICF in April of last year. I can’t express how much love the church gives me. LICF is more than a church, we are a family. I love my church so much!
I came to licf about 3 years ago because a friend was becoming a member and wanted to support her. I was done with church and religion years before and so was only coming for that day. When I arrived I was greeted like I was a friend who had been away on vacation! Never have I felt so welcomed as I am at licf. Family, peace, love and joy live here. The foundation is built on God’s love for us all. I can’t imagine a better church to be a part of.
“The first time I walked into LICF I knew I was home! I felt peace and love which is what I had been looking for in a church. I am so happy here. If I had to describe LICF in one word it would be Home“.
Peace and Love
“I had resigned myself to the fact that church just wasn’t for me. All I ever heard from church was that I was an abomination and not worthy of God’s love, then I found LICF and my life was transformed. It was there I heard for the first time from the pulpit that God loves me just as I am for he created me and God does NOT make mistakes! I have found my Spiritual home where I am never judged and am always welcomed.”
“I’ve been attending LICF for a few years now. So it was interesting that one Sunday while listening to the choir sing a medley, for the first time, I could feel the Christ within. LICF is an answer to a prayer. A prayer that my faith may grow”.
“Our incredible GLBT/Allied family, yes we’re just that amazing! 🙂 You should come to our church, get up lifted each week as we do, feel the amazingly powerful spirit and love that fills our sanctuary!”
“A little over five years ago I found myself looking for someone or something to help me through a very bad time in my life. That something turned out to be LICF, Long Island Community Fellowship church. From the very moment I walked through the church door, the members of LICF became my second family. More importantly, I became reunited with God. He was the someone I was really looking for, He is my hero. LICF is an LGBT church, open and welcoming to everyone.”
I was first introduced to LICF through their Sports Ministry. After being away from Long Island for several years, and not knowing where to meet other LGBT people, I started asking around about where could I find a softball team. That was when I learned about the LICF Angels. I made a phone call and was quickly invited to play on their team. I heard some of the players speaking of LICF and was invited to worship and fellowship with them.
I went to my first sunday service about 3 years ago, and have been attending services regularly since. When I walked into the sanctuary I felt what they meant by “family”. What a welcoming environment, I have never felt like I was home in a religious setting before. I have since become a member and found that my life Is changing and I am now on one of the best journey of my life. My faith walk.
“I finally found a church where I’m welcome, just as I am. The people here have become my extended family. I am challenged now, to bring the best worship music to our services.”
LICF is my safe haven, I feel so very welcome. I can close my eyes and pray to God and I can feel his presence. I count the days when I can go to church. I have never felt more happier than I am since I walked into LICF church. I have a family that is there for me 24/7. They are my walking Angels and when church is over I feel like a new person.
In 2007, we bought our first home in Long Island and we were searching for a church we could call our own. After visiting a few church communities, we stumbled upon LICF. The members were so welcoming – with open arms and smiles on their faces; Pastor Shane filled the room with God’s Word of love and acceptance (regardless of who we are), and the music played was uplifting and joyous! We knew that was home.
The LICF community has become our extended family throughout the years. Although our busy lives and travel schedule, sometimes keep us away, we know we can always walk in the door and feel at home. LICF is a growing community striving to reach all those looking to regain their faith – it is a place you can be yourself and know that we are all loved by God. Thank you LICF!
“I came to Long Island Community Fellowship in 2009, and was immediately welcomed and accepted just as I was. No hiding, no fears. Long Island Community Fellowship showed me from day one that they lived up to one of their favorite sayings: ‘More than a Church…We’re a Family!’ I am very proud to be a part of this amazing family.”
“LICF is a place I can go to give thanks to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for all he’s done for me throughout my life. At Long Island Community Fellowship ( in the presence of the Holy Spirit) I can join together with like minded people to worship and praise God in the beauty of Holiness”.
“Long Island Community Fellowship Church prides itself on welcoming everyone no matter race, gender or sexual orientation. As a mother of a child with autism this welcoming nature goes beyond tolerance and acceptance. LICF Church embraced us both as family.
As a member of their family, they consider my son’s strengths and interests to figure out how he can best participate in the service. If my son has a difficult day I know that I have a congregation of family members there to help and support me instead of looking upon me with disapproving eyes as in other venues. This love and support that we feel every Sunday is inspirational and uplifting. It renews my faith in God along with my belief that there are good and caring people in this world.”
