Message from the Social Justice and Peacemaking Committee
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EARTH DAY CELEBRATION!
God saw everything that God had made, and indeed it was very good…” (Genesis 1:31)
On Sunday, April 24, 2022, First Pres will celebrate Earth Day. The worship service and all Christian education classes will have Earth Day as their theme.
In the adult education class at 9:15 am we will look at how we humans have cared for God’s creation. Is God pleased with what we have done? We will then discuss how we can do better. The PC(USA) has developed a program entitled Earth Care Congregations, “recognizing that restoring creation is a central concern of the church and is to be incorporated into its life and mission at every level.” How will we at First Pres do that? Join us on April 24th to find out.
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First Pres, through the Social Justice and Peacemaking Committee, has been
working with the Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival. Here are opportunities for education and advocacy
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| Pastors Miriam and Glenn will be departing for their sabbatical leave after worship on May 1. We're happy for this wonderful opportunity they will have for rest and renewal. We'd like to give them a gift as we send them off. Please consider writing a check to First Presbyterian Church with the notation "Sabbatical Gift." Your check can be mailed to the Church Office (for receipt before April 25) or placed in the Sunday offering by April 24. Thank you for marking this special occasion in the life of our church! Please send in your gift today. Thank you! |
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New and Exciting Educational Opportunity for the Entire Congregation
Your Anti-Racism Task Force hopes that you will join us for the new and exciting educational program “Trouble the Water: Conversations to Disrupt Racism and Dominance.” Developed by the PC(USA) in response to the 222nd General Assembly’s call for church-wide conversations on race, the video series is designed to encourage conversations in local churches about race, racism, ethnicity and ethnocentrism. We will gather on Zoom on six consecutive Wednesday evenings, between 7:00-8:30 pm, to watch the videos and talk about them together.
Come to as many evenings as you can! The dates and topics are:
Wed., April 27: “Beginning the Journey”
Wed., May 4: “Why Us, Why Now?”
Wed., May 11: “Whiteness”
Wed., May 18: “Racial Identity”
Wed., May 25 “Intersectionality and Disruption”
Wed., June 1: “Where Do We Go From Here?”
Click here for the Zoom link, and we hope to see you on April 27th!
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FELLOWSHIP TIME: We're pleased to announce that Fellowship Time is once again being held in Assembly Hall, immediately following the Sunday Worship Service. The Hospitality Team Coordinator Deacon David Hinchen is organizing this effort. As we no longer have a custodian and are no longer relying on flocks to oversee this task, we're seeking members of the congregation to assist with making coffee, bringing snacks, setting up and putting things away. If you're available on any upcoming Sundays, please contact:
David Hinchen
(518) 489-1854 (call or text)
ds.hinchen@verizon.net
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Finger Labyrinth Walks and Meditations occur each Thursday through April 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 for Thursday, April 21, 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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Brooks "To- Go" Chicken BBQ Fundraiser for FOCUS
today has been cancelled
New Date: Wednesday June 15th 3-6pm at Delmar Reformed Church.
All pre-ordered meals for April 19th will be transferred to June 15th.
If you have any questions or concerns, please call: (518) 443-0460 ext. 1
Thank you for supporting FOCUS Churches of Albany, which offers two food pantries and a soup kitchen in downtown Albany. This fundraiser helps raise money to feed our food insecure neighbors.
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CROP Hunger Walk 2022
We have one goal: building a world where there is enough for all
WHAT IS THE CROP HUNGER WALK?
Hunger is one of the greatest injustices facing our world, but it does not have to be this way. Ending hunger is possible in our lifetime. You can help make it happen.
One way we help end hunger is join with our neighbors here in the Albany Area, to participate in the CWS Albany CROP Hunger WALK.
CROP Hunger Walks are community-wide events sponsored by Church World Service and organized by local congregations or groups to raise funds to help end hunger in our communities and around the world.
ALBANY CROP HUNGER WALK
Last year the Albany CROP WALK raised funds for twenty-six food pantry agencies in the area to help feed our neighbors suffering food insecurity.
The Albany CROP Hunger Walk 2022, one of the largest in the United States, has set a goal to raise $100,000 to help end hunger and poverty and contribute to long-term sustainable approaches to reduce or eliminate hunger. As in years past, 25% of the funds we raise in the Albany CROP Walk will go to local food pantries.
On May 1st , we want to stand with neighbors in our community and around the world, who rely on food assistance programs. This year more than ever, it is so important to support our neighbors struggling in the face of poverty, food insecurity and create opportunities to open new doors.
HOW YOU CAN PARTICIPATE
The John U. Miller Memorial CROP Hunger Walk in Albany, named after the former director, will be a “live” and virtual event this year. The Walk will take place on Sunday, May 1, starting and ending at First Lutheran Church, 181 Western Ave. in Albany.
In person registration begins at 12:30pm, with opening ceremonies at 1:15 (also on Zoom) and begin at 1:30pm.
You can choose a 1-mile or 3-mile loop, walk as a small group or virtually in your own neighborhood any time during the month of May.
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN’S TEAM
At First Presbyterian Church we are committed to stamping out hunger and want to do our part to help end hunger one step at a time.
We want to ensure that the work of the CWS and our local food pantries will continue to be there for those who need assistance, in good and tough times.
We are organizing a team to participate in CROP WALK 2022.
Our team is “Albany First Presbyterian Church,” and our goal is $8,000 this year. I know we can do this!
To join our team, please go to the Albany CROP Hunger Walk Web Page to register.
The web page is www.crophungerwalk.org/albanyny
- Go to “Join or Start a Team”
- select “Albany First Presbyterian Church” and join the team.
We also encourage you to invite others to join with us on May 1st to demonstrate our commitment to helping our neighbors.
- 58 People have registered
- 24 Teams have registered
- 1,471 Social Media Reach
- $8,621.52 Raised
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The Youth are updating their space on the 2nd floor! Help us out with skills or donations! Do you have building or design skills? Do you sew? (hoping to make pillows out of youth musical T-shirts!!) Please contact Molly via email or text/call if you can help.
Donations of gently used items requested:
Area rugs
Plants
Hanging contraptions for plants
Individual seating (bean bags, gaming chairs, comfortable armchairs)
Old throw pillows to upcycle
Floor cushions
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No regular weekly meetings this spring. We DO have several special events coming up. We hope you/your youth will join us in these opportunities to gather, serve, and have fun!
Upcoming Events:
Art Build with the Poor People’s Campaign
Wednesday, April 20th @5:30pm, food provided
Westminster Church 262 State St
Come over for an evening of making posters and banners that will be used to help Pass the NYHealth Act and declare that Healthcare is a Human Right!
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Celebrate Earth Day!
Sunday April 24th, 10:30am
Our whole congregation will celebrate Earth Day during Worship on Sunday April 24th at 10:30am. Join us as we kick-off a season of action and reflection on what we can do to care for and preserve our amazing habitat.
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Crop Walk to End Hunger
Sunday May 1, gather @12:30pm, walk @1:30pm
Meet at First Lutheran Church 181 Western Ave.
The youth will walk as a group together as we join the “Albany First Presbyterian Church,” Team.
Register Here to help raise $8000 as a team!
>> Go to “Join or Start a Team” >> select “Albany First Presbyterian Church” and join the team.
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Save the Dates:
May 22- Youth Usher for Worship
June 12- Albany Pride Parade
June 18- March on Washington D.C.
Survey
Parents/Caregivers, please take 5 minutes to respond to this Survey to help us set goals for our youth programming.
School Play? Sports Event? Music Concert?
If you/your 6th-12th grader has a special event coming up, please let Molly know & invite her to come!
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Sign up for Text Reminders
All youth and parents, if you haven't already, please sign up for text alerts!
Text @mdowellb to 81010
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Skip Meislahn David Chapin
4/5 4/25
Lynn Ellsworth Ekong Takor
4/5 4/25
Ron Pettis Robin Dowell Baum
4/6 4/26
Fred Forba Susan Easton
4/6 4/27
Elizabeth Leupold John Knutson
4/7 4/27
John Minerbrook John Abunaw
4/17 4/27
Sarah John Ryan Rogers
4/17 4/28
Eli Rice Ani Dowell Baum
4/17 4/30
Joyce Bascom
4/20
Gail Scott
4/24
If your birthday is this month and it's not listed, please let Jamie know so we can update our records.
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Tuesday, 4/19 9:00am Men's Bible Study via Zoom
7:00pm Session Meeting
Wednes., 4/20 10:00am Women to Women Small Group Meeting
Thurs., 4/21 7:00am Men's Bible Study (Rose Room)
12:30pm Finger Labyrinth Walk and Meditation
6:30pm General Meeting of Capital Region
Poor People’s Campaign
Friday, 4/22 5:00pm B3 Small Group
Saturday, 4/23 1:00pm Service of Witness to the Resurrection
Freda Gardner
Sunday, 4/24 9:15am Adult Education
9:15am Children’s Education
9:30am Soloist/Choir Rehearsal
10:30am Worship Service
In-Person/Livestream on Facebook
11:30am Fellowship Time
Monday, 4/25 1:00pm Covenant Group Meeting
Tuesday, 4/26 9:00am Men's Bible Study via Zoom
11:30am Clergy Meeting
6:30pm FOCUS Board Meeting
Wednes., 4/27 12:00pm Endowment Subcommittee Meeting
7:00pm Trouble the Water
7:30pm Dads' Small Group
Thurs., 4/28 7:00am Men's Bible Study (Rose Room)
12:30pm Finger Labyrinth Walk and Meditation
6:30pm SWAT Team Meeting
7:00pm Soloist/ Choir Rehearsal
Sunday, 5/1 9:15am Adult Education
9:15am Children’s Education
9:30am Soloist/Choir Rehearsal
10:30am Worship Service
In-Person/Livestream on Facebook
11:30am Fellowship Time
12:30pm CROP Walk
Monday, 5/2 7:00pm Music Rehearsal in Sanctuary
Tuesday, 5/3 9:00am Men's Bible Study via Zoom
12:30pm Staff Meeting
5:30pm Membership Committee Meeting
5:30pm Outreach & Mission Committee Meeting
5:30pm Property Committee Meeting
5:30pm Worship Committee Meeting
7:00pm The 35th annual Martin Luther King Junior and
Coretta Scott King Lecture Series
7:30pm Christian Education Committee
7:30pm Social Justice & Peacemaking Committee Meeting
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