Lynbrook/East Rockaway
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Vol. 27 No. 21
MAY 21 - 27, 2020
Houses of worship go virtual By Nicole AlciNdor
For Bethany Congregational Church of East Rockaway, the Nearly three months have switch to online platforms didn’t passed since many houses of come as easily. At first, religious worship in Lynbrook and East leaders tried Facebook Live, but Rockaway switched to virtual a number of congregants strugservices to abide by gled with it Gov. Andrew Cuobecause it was mo’s ban on large u n f a m i l i a r, s o gatherings. church of ficials Over the past pre-recorded serseveral weeks, the vices and posted virtual technology them on Facebook. teams at temples “Many of our and churches in congregants are the communities elderly, and at first h ave a d o p t e d they didn’t know Zoom, Facebook, how to work liveYo u T u b e a n d streaming and Google video platother technological forms to hold serdevices,” said the vices. Rev. Mark Lukens, steVe MArzAri “We have mostly Lynbrook Baptist who attends to the used Zoom, and church’s digital we’ve learned very Church needs. “Pre-recordquickly,” said Boning our services n i e Va k a r i n , a made it easier for people, and member of the technology team now if we mess up during servicat the Hewlett-East Rockaway es, it won’t be live. We can edit Jewish Centre. “I miss being in the videos and then post them.” the sanctuary, and Zoom doesn’t Lukens said he missed live allow for communal singing, but services, but on the positive side, I’ve picked up on things very he added, people could now quickly. It’s been a positive learn- attend church in their pajamas, ing experience and a smooth and adjust the volume. transition.” Continued on page 3
nalcindor@liherald.com
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Courtesy Theresa Devlin
resideNts oF eAst Rockaway, Lynbrook and surrounding villages and towns are displaying lawn signs to show support for essential workers, and the proceeds of the sign sales have gone to houses of worship and food pantries. Above, Mason, left, and Javon Devlin of East Rockaway.
‘We’re all behind them’
Grass-roots effort supports essential workers, food pantries and soup kitchens By Mike sMolliNs msmollins@liherald.com
When they drive through East Rockaway, Lynbrook and other local communities, essential workers don’t have to look far to see how much they’re appreciated. Hundreds of residents have purchased lawn signs with symbols representing first responders and other essential workers. They read, “Thank you! We’re all in this together.”
Three East Rockaway residents, Theresa Devlin, Toni Venrello and Joanna Santoli, who created the Thanking Local Heroes Facebook page, are selling the signs as a fundraiser. They have donated the money to houses of worship, food pantries and soup kitchens to help provide for those in need. Venrello noted the increase in demand that food pantries have seen in recent months. “It makes everybody feel like at least we’re able to do
something,” Devlin said. “We want to make essential workers feel like they’re appreciated, and we’re also glad to help feed people as well. People are really kind, and just really want to help.” The group initially ordered 100 lawn signs from the Oceanside-based Fast Signs, but the ef fort has since expanded. The signs show appreciation for health care workers, emergency medical technicians, firefighters, Continued on page 3
eople are reassured that we’re OK by having connection, even if it’s through a screen.