From the Stewardship Committee
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A Message from the Stewardship Committee
Our webpage states that: “We are a congregation that works for peace and justice in our society.” How do we carry that out? Some of the work is through the efforts of our Social Justice and Peacemaking Committee.
More specifically: We work for equality and justice for our LGBTQI+ siblings. The most visible work is the support and participation of our church in Pride Month when we march with “pride!” and the Transgender Day of Remembrance in November.
We work for the end of food insecurity by coordinating an annual letter writing campaign to our Congressional representatives in support of legislation that increases food security worldwide, nationally and here in Albany.
We work for local and national justice issues such as voting rights and income equality, joining with the Poor People’s Campaign and the NAACP.
We work for environmental justice. This year, the Social Justice and Peacemaking Committee will be exploring how we can further engage the church in caring for the world that God has made.
As we reflect on all the gifts God has provided us, and on our responsive provision for Christ’s Church, the Stewardship Committee hopes that you will join us to “Come and See, Together,” all of the impactful work undertaken by First Presbyterian Church and the Social Justice and Peacemaking Committee in manifesting the Kingdom of God on Earth.
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Reviews of Antiracism Resources
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Resource: Indigenous People’s Day: Q&A Session about Indigenous Land Rights and Ancestral Land Reclamation
Reviewed by: Carol Green
My calendar says next Monday, October 11, is Columbus Day/Indigenous People’s Day, updated from previous years which noted only the observance of Columbus Day. If you’re wondering how to mark the day and grow your knowledge of indigenous peoples and their ancestral lands in New York State, the Albany Institute of History and Art is offering a free Youtube program to answer your questions. This special session will be livestreamed over Youtube on October 11 from 2:00-3:00 pm. The announcement below contains the link and an invitation to submit advance questions:
https://www.albanyinstitute.org/event/product/Indigenous-Peoples-Day.html
Do you have an antiracism book or other resource you want to share?
One First Pres priority is “combating systemic racism both within and outside the church.” Many of you are already reading and discussing books and articles that address this underlying racism, and the Membership Committee invites you to share your insights and thoughts in First Pres eblasts. What did you find enlightening? For whom would you recommend this particular book or article? Reviews of other media addressing racism, such as movies, TV shows, podcasts and children’s resources are welcome. Please email your mini review to: Carol Green. Questions about reviews may be directed to Carol Green at email or call or text 518-331-1447.
Click here for past reviews
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Sunday morning schedule through October 31
9:00–9:45 Virtual Youth Group (Grades 6 thru 12) via zoom
9:00–9:45 Adult Education Class via zoom
9:15–9:45 Children’ Education Class (K thru Gr 5) via zoom
10:30 Worship: in-person and livestreaming on Facebook
11:30 Fellowship Time outside weather permitting
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Adult Volunteers NEEDED!
Sign up here: https://forms.gle/X34Y26tkqxsQgZg8A
Questions? contact Molly or at (518) 810-3158
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Be a witness of support to the Black Lives Matter movement
every Tuesday from noon to 1:00pm.
Join others on State S.t in front of Westminster Presbyterian Church
with your mask (not-optional) and a sign (optional).
This effort is being spear-headed by Elizabeth McMillan at WPC.
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VOCAL-NY calls for the ACCORD pilot program to take place in the urban areas of Albany, NY.
“Join us as we demand lawmakers take concrete steps toward ending the violence in our communities. We believe the Albany County Crisis Officials Responding and Diverting (ACCORD) program is vital to creating a more human-centered system. The ACCORD program allows a unit of social workers to be deployed along or without police to handle situations with people suffering from emotional distress or mental illness…. Albany County created this program in response to former Governor Cuomo’s mandate to reimagine policing in the wake of the murder of George Floyd.”
Read the entire OP-Ed here
…the program launched its official pilot program in Berne, N.Y. -- a region where very few People of Color and police brutality victims reside compared to cities like Albany, Troy, Schenectady, and many others. Please stand with us as we demand justice in bringing initiatives like the ACCORD program to communities and areas of the Capital Region struggling due to disproportionately high rates of policy-induced injuries, deaths, and racist policing.
The community is making a big push to get this program to be implemented by the end of November.
Consider also supporting Daniel’s Law: Police Are Not the Answer to Mental Health Crises
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Creative Action Unlimited is thrilled to announce the premiere of the FILM of Whitewashed: the racism project at the Madison Theater on October 15, 16, 22 and 23. (Online premiere is October 29.) Tickets go on sale October 1!
Directed by Michael Kennedy , cinematography by Jamel Mosely and featuring Archie, Danielle Colin, Diaka Kaba Hill, Zoë Lewis, Aaron Joshua and Siobhan Shea.
(Trailer by David Quinones Jr )
Follow the link to the trailer
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Youth & Families!
Please respond to the linked doodle poll to reschedule a couple summer events, and start planning for gatherings this fall.
Please mark ALL days that you/your youth would be available for an event.
Some possibilities would be for a service project, an outdoor gathering such as a pool party or fire pit, a weekend retreat, or a day at Soul Fire Farm. The times are not set in stone, but meant to be a general "morning", "afternoon", "evening" time slot. Please use the comments section to make any clarifications or suggestions.
We will ALWAYS be mindful of and follow best practices for safety regarding COVID-19. This is just a planning tool that will help in scheduling (and rescheduling as necessary).
Thank you in advance for your prompt responses! Click here to answer the poll!
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Tuesday, 10/5 9:00am Men’s Bible Study via zoom
2:00pm Administration Committee Meeting
5:30pm Membership Committee Meeting
5:30pm Outreach & Mission Committee Meeting
7:30pm Social Justice & Peacemaking Committee Meeting
Wednes., 10/6 11:00am Staff Meeting
6:00pm Care Team Callers via zoom
Thursday, 10/7 7:00am Men's Bible Study (Rose Room)
6:30pm Anti-Racsim Task Force
7:30pm Soloist Rehearsal
Friday, 10/8 4:00pm Patio Time with Miriam & Glenn
Sunday, 10/10 9:00am Adult Education via Zoom
9:00am Virtual Youth Group
9:15am Children’s Education via Zoom
10:30am In-Person Worship Service and
Live Streaming Worship Service on Facebook
11:30am Outside Fellowship Time
Monday, 10/11 1:00pm Covenant Small Group
Tuesday, 10/12 9:00am Men’s Bible Study via zoom
11:30am Clergy Meeting
12:00pm Endowment Subcommittee Meeting
5:30pm Property Committee Meeting
Wednes., 10/13 6:30pm Women's Small Group
7:30pm Dads' Small Group
Thursday, 10/14 7:00am Men's Bible Study (Rose Room)
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