Each Wednesday during Lent (February 22 - March 29) we'll be having Taize services in the sanctuary at 6:30pm. Would you be interested in helping to set up the candles for these services? It can be done any time after worship Sunday and before 6pm Wednesday. If you're interested, please contact Pastor Miriam.
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Fresh Flowers for the sanctuary on Sundays may be donated in honor or in memory of a person or event. The cost is $80. A sign-up sheet is on the bulletin board outside the main office. You may contact Jamie directly at 518-449-7332 or info@firstpresalbany.org.
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The Tuesday morning Bible Guys, who meet weekly on Zoom at 9 a.m., are looking for new members. If you are interested, please get in touch with Roger Green at rogerogreen@gmail.com.
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The Outreach and Mission Committee is collecting needed articles for the Giffen Elementary School’s “Clothes Closet” which goes beyond just clothes. Articles may be left in the box in the Assembly Hall designated for this purpose. Items needed: Youth shoes sizes: 10,11 12 & 13. Items given: 25 pairs of pants, 30 pairs of underwear, 5 pairs of socks & 4 jackets.
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Join us online for Finger Labyrinth Walks and Meditations each 
Thursday through February at 12:30pm via Zoom. Pastor Miriam, Certified Advanced Labyrinth Facilitator, leads each session, and our time together is 30 minutes. This time is open to all, whether you’ve walked a labyrinth in the past or not. Register here to receive the zoom link. Please have a Finger Labyrinth available - you can download a paper version if you don’t have your own or Jamie in the church office. Join us!
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Whitewashed: The Racism Project
Saturday, February 18, 3:00pm
Please join us!
Please join members of Westminster’s Racial Justice Vigil Team and First Presbyterian’s Anti-Racism Task Force on Saturday, February 18, at 3:00 pm for a film and conversation about the history and ongoing impact of racial oppression in America.
Westminster’s Racial Justice Vigil has taken place every Tuesday since September 2020. Local activist Shirey Archie joins on his lunch break from his job. Archie was profiled by Paul Grondahl in the Times Union this past October. Several First Pres members went to see the stage production of Whitewashed: The Racism Project, which Archie co-created with director Michael Kennedy and a group of local actors.
As part of our ongoing effort to deepen our understanding of systemic racism, the Racial Justice Vigil team and FPC’s Anti-Racism Task Force are hosting a viewing of the film version of Whitewashed. Afterwards, we’ll talk about the film and the issues it raises with Archie and director Michael Kennedy. Please join us!
Whitewashed: The Racism Project - Following a year of collaborative writing and rehearsing by a cast of local Black actors and activists, Whitewashed premiered as a stage production in September 2019 and performed locally to sold out houses until live performances were halted due to COVID-19. This production confronts white fragility and internalized racism by presenting the history and present-day experiences of being Black in America. See the trailer here. The film lasts approximately 75 minutes.
Where: At the Westminster Presbyterian Church, 85 Chestnut Street, Albany. Venue parking is limited but street parking is also available.
Cost: Free of charge and open to the community. Donations in support of the work of Creative Action Unlimited, “a theater company committed to sharing the stories of marginalized and vulnerable members of our society…in order to create meaningful social change,” will be gladly received.
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Albany Presbytery is seeking to hire a part-time (12-15 hours/week) Administrative Support Services person "to provide administrative and communications support to the Presbytery enabling effective and hospitable administrative support." Click here for more details. If you or someone you know is interested, cover letter and resume can be sent to revkyle@hamiltonunionpresbyterianchurch.org .
