GC Clergy Meet With School Superintendent

(Clockwise, from back: Nathan Erb, Rev. Jim Adelmann, Dr. Anne Klaeysen, Rev. Joseph Pae, Rev. Lynn Sullivan, Rev. Debra Low-Skinner, Rev. Wanda Hughes, Deacon George Browne, Dr. Feirsen, Dr. Prendergast, Mr. Chase, Mr Celano.

Last month, members of the Garden City Clergy Fellowship (GCCF) met with Garden City Public School (GCUFSD)Superintendent Dr. Robert Feirsen and members of his staff. This breakfast meeting took place on April 17 at Christ Episcopal Church. The purpose of the meeting was to gain a better understanding of what are the important issues facing Garden City Public Schools. In addition, what are the common concerns that the schools and clergy have about the welfare of our children and youth.

The clergy learned more about the results of the PRIDE survey, and how we all can be part of the solution in countering teenage alcohol and substance abuse. The clergy heard about school programs such as drug abuse prevention, leadership development training, anti-bullying training, and the pre-prom orientation. The GCUFSD is planning to hire a social worker for the elementary schools. Everyone at the meeting shared their feelings about the tragic shootings at Virginia Tech and the effect on the GC students. The clergy also shared their concerns about our young people's busy schedules and pressures on students to succeed. The clergy offered their services to the school district and staff as pastoral counselors and community resources. There is the possibility that the GCCF will offer an interfaith parent training course sometime in the next school year at a "neutral" venue such as the GC Public Library. All in all, the meeting was a worthwhile and enjoyable exchange of views and opinions. And both the clergy and Dr. Feirsen and his staff definitely look forward to meeting together again next year.

(Clockwise, from the left) Rev. Wanda Hughes, Deacon George Browne, Dr. Feirsen, Dr. Prendergast, Mr. Chase, Mr. Celano, Mr. Erb, Rev. Adelmann, Dr. Klaeysen, Rev. Pae, Rev. Sullivan.

Present from the GCUFSD were: Dr. Robert Feirsen, School Superintendent; Dr. Teresa Prendergast, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction; Mr. Albert Chase, Assistant Superintendent for Business & Finance; and Mr. Fino Celano, Assistant to Dr. Feirsen.

Present from the GCCF were: The Rev. Debra Low-Skinner, Rector of Christ Episcopal Church and GCCF President; Deacon George Browne, Deacon at St. Anne's RC Parish and GCCF Vice President; The Rev. Jim Adelmann, Senior Pastor of GC Community Church and GCCF Treasurer; The Rev. Lynn Sullivan of the GC Community Church; Nathan Erb, Youth Minister of the Lutheran Church of the Resurrection; Dr. Anne Klaeysen, Leader of the Ethical Humanist Society of Long Island; The Rev. Wanda Lawry Hughes, Pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Garden City; and The Rev. Canon Joseph Pae, Canon Pastor of the Episcopal Cathedral of the Incarnation.

The GCCF invites the public to take part in their monthly sandwich-making events. The sandwiches are put together and placed into brown lunch bags, along with fruit, cookies, and juice. The lunches help feed needy persons at the Interfaith Nutrition Network (INN) in Hempstead. On May 12th, 300 lunches were made at Christ Episcopal Church for the INN. Coming up on Sunday, June 10th, from 12:30 to 1:30 pm, lunches will be made at the Ethical Humanist Society on 38 Old Country Rd ; for further info, phone 741-7304.

The GCCF also invites the public to attend the Annual Interfaith Memorial Day Worship Wervice on May 28 at 9 am at the Cathedral of the Incarnation. Various members of the GCCF will take part in the service, which is attended by veterans, military personnel, and VFW members. The homily will be given by Deacon George Browne of St. Anne's Roman Catholic Church and also Nassau County Senior Citizen of the Year.