Glen Cove, New York...Carol Waldman, vice president of IAC welcomed the membership and guests to The Greek Orthodox Church for the monthly IAC meeting. The primary mission of IAC is to enhance the delivery of human services through collaboration and communication, and to provide mutual support among community agencies through sharing and networking. Following the Business Meeting, Ms. Waldman introduced Father Emmanuel “Manny” Gratsias, pastor, who spoke with pride of his involvement in the North Shore Sheltering Program, (the homeless shelter operated out of the First Presbyterian Church serving homeless men from thanksgiving through April each year) and the continuing need for that program in the Glen Cove community. He gave the membership an update on the Shelter’s present financial situation as well as an overview of the tragedy that led to the need for the Shelter a decade ago.

The Greek Orthodox Church’s splendid new sanctuary at the corner of Northern Blvd and Route 107 on 6 plus acres has many admirers as it commands attention at this high traffic intersection. Father “Manny” with justifiable pride escorted the membership on a tour of the sanctuary, offices, school, spacious multi-purpose hall with stage, kitchen and the surrounding landscape. He spoke of the congregations’ early start in the Glen Cove community meeting at the Methodist Church on School Street. As the congregation grew, with many Greek families coming from the Queens area, their first home on Cedar Swamp Road soon became too small.

He complimented the congregation for their generosity in making the new sanctuary a reality and spoke of how money was saved by members of the congregation acting as the general contractor. As Father Manny explained, it is a work in progress, as the interior becomes more decorated with the religious icons of their faith. He delighted in telling the story of the icons that grace the main alter as those from the former church. Since they were individual panels, at the close of services on Cedar Swamp Road, the icons were quickly transported to the new alter in time for the opening, surprising many parishioners who entered for the first time.

InterAgency Council of Glen Cove was established in 1971 to improve the delivery of human services through cooperation, communication and coordination of community agencies. The original concept for IAC was developed under the auspices of the Community Hospital of Glen Cove as part of a University based community service project. Twenty of the original agencies continue active participation. Monthly meetings are held every second Wednesday of the month September through June at member agency settings. Please check IAC’s website for locations and dates of future meetings as well as agency events, services, locations, and contact personnel.www.iacglencove.org.

IAC's next meeting will take place at Sunrise Assisted Living, 39 Forest Avenue, Glen Cove on Wednesday, November 9, 2005 at 9 a.m.

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