LIAC Day Recap

Nearly 50 people gathered together to honor and celebrate 50 years of Unitarian Universalist collaboration on Long Island at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship at Stony Brook on Saturday, May 18, 2024. The annual dinner and program has carried on for decades, connecting congregations from across the Island. This year’s event was ceremonious as an anniversary of the official recognition of the Long Island Area Council of Unitarian Universalist Societies as a 501(c)3.

The afternoon's program began with an ingathering and oral history by LIAC Executive Director, Laurice Grae, and spiritual offering from the Reverend Kimberly Quinn-Johnson, UU Congregation of the South Fork and outgoing LIAC Board President. Two breakout sessions followed that allowed attendees to choose their own adventure with a variety of program offerings that included faith themed arts & crafts, a storytelling workshop, improv, songwriting, dialogues in discourse, and a discussion regarding the upcoming vote on Article II amendments at General Assembly next month. The songwriting workshop produced an original song that was then performed by UUFSB music director, Dan Weymouth, prior to dinner.

While the sanctuary was prepared for dinner, guests chatted and laughed over beverages and light hors d'oeuvres. The blessing for the meal was offered by the Reverend David Carl Olson, UU Congregation at Shelter Rock, by way of a call and response singing of the UU favorite hymn, “We Give Thanks.” During dinner the guests were treated to entertainment by Claudia Jacobs and Dan Weymouth. During several songs guests could be found dancing amongst tables or on the “dance floor.”
Before concluding the evening, Grae honored the service of outgoing Executive Board members, Rev. Quinn-Johnson and Nikki Willard (UU Fellowship of Huntington), who are completing terms as President and Secretary, respectfully. Each gave motivational words about their time on the LIAC Exec Team, in an effort to recruit new leadership.

The Executive Director’s complete remarks can be found below.

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Friends and colleagues, thank you for joining us on this very special day. Not only is it a day to connect with our Unitarian Universalist siblings from across Long Island, but it is a day for reflection on our Council’s rich history and to imagine a future where our circle is drawn wider and we set intentions for strengthening our faith in our communities. I am Laurice Grae, your newly appointed Executive Director. My being here today is a commitment to that future. The Board of your Long Island Area Council of Unitarian Universalist Congregations saw a vision for our future that includes growth, connection, and leadership. 

Before we continue, let us take a moment to recognize that the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship at Stony Brook is situated on the ancestral territory of Setalcott (Suh-TALL-kots), which means “the place of rivers” in Algonquian, aboriginal territory of the Setauket or the Setalcott tribe. This land is part of the larger area that was the territory of the first people of Long Island. We acknowledge that our congregations, sanctuaries, and homes are on the traditional territories of the thirteen communities that existed on Paumanauke or Sewanhackey-Long Island before European settlers arrived - the Canarsie, Rockaways, Merricks, Massapequas, Matinecocks, Nissaquogues, Corchaugs, Secatogues, Unkechaug, Shinnecock, Montaukett, and the Manhansets. We recognize the unique and disproportionate hardships Native Americans have faced and continue to face as a result of colonialism. To recognize the land is an expression of gratitude and appreciation to those whose territory we reside on, and a way of honoring the Indigenous people who have been living and working on the land from time immemorial.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of LIAC as a recognized nonprofit. In 1971, a commitment came together with a vision to expand and develop as an organization. The following year, the first Executive Director was hired, enabling the Council to work more effectively to bring the churches and fellowships together. On February 8, 1974, the Long Island Area Council of Unitarian Universalist Societies became a registered 501(c)3. But this was not the beginning, collaborative work of our Council was happening long before. In early 1959, the Long Island Conference was formed with representatives from churches, fellowships, and societies from Nassau, Suffolk, and Queens Counties. That same year, the Long Island Beacon, the monthly newsletter of the Conference, began publication, with copies sent to the four churches and five fellowships in the Conference. The Beacon was intended to be a trial to see if the churches and fellowships were interested in receiving a monthly newsletter, the purposes of which were to share ideas and programs of the different congregations, and to announce dinners, programs, and information about the bimonthly meeting of the Long Island Conference. The Beacon was published for decades to come. One of the first requests or concerns I heard when I began my work was a desire to have a monthly newsletter, something we are now rebuilding.

In 1966, The Sabbatical Program for the UU Ministers of Long Island became the second major long-term program initiated by LIAC. The purpose of the Sabbatical Program was to provide support to the UU ministers of Long Island so that they could take well earned sabbaticals with the confidence that their congregations would be cared for by the other ministers in the area, visiting speakers, and lay-led services. This program continues as the Ministerial Leave Program today. 

In 1971, with an eye towards social justice and following extensive research and consideration, The Bail Bond Commission was formed with Camille Smith appointed as the Commission’s Executive Director. The goal was to demonstrate a new approach to the criminal justice system. It was intended to be an alternative to the bail system, which tends to discriminate against the poor and minority groups. By 1975, the Bail Bond Commission served over 1000 clients. In the late 1970s, the Commission was transferred to Nassau and Suffolk Counties for administration. The Nassau Incarcerated Person Assistance Program continues to advocate for incarcerated persons, helping to secure release on bond with monies from various sources or into the custody of the Program. In addition to securing their release, the individuals are given supportive counseling and job placement assistance.

The Student Activity Fund has been supporting students in their efforts with nonprofit organizations and charities since 1976, having now provided stipends to hundreds of youth and young adults. In 1978, Jean Baron, the president of the LIAC board, called together all the religious educators of the congregations on Long Island to form the LIAC RE Committee.  One of the first tasks was the writing of a grant to call a religious educator to serve all LIAC congregations. We know that role today to be our OWL/COA coordinator Sharon Pataky.

Then in 2001 the Rev. Will Feinberg suggested that we establish forums where "All our congregations were to meet for half a day twice a year to [hear] reports of what we do that's going well and what we do that's not going as well as we wish, in the areas of worship, education for children and new members, training and support.” This is how our Council currently operates, with each congregation appointing one or two delegates who attend quarterly meetings of the LIAC Board. 

Our Unitarian Universalist ancestors may not have ever imagined we would be meeting on TVs like the Jetsons or that everyone would have a mobile device like the crew of the Enterprise on Star Trek. They likely never imagined how much our society would come to value productivity as self worth or the level to which Americans would strive to “keep up with the Joneses.” They probably didn’t envision terrorist attacks or global pandemics either. But what they did envision was a future for the liberal religious communities of Long Island that is more connected and better organized than what could have ever been accomplished individually. 

We are here today to carry that torch of hope and Beloved community onward. Though I have only been with the council for a few months now, what I have seen is dedication, flexibility, openness, and generosity of time, treasure, and spirit. As we move through conversations and activities today, may we keep in mind that hope and hold it with care.