Interested in finding out more about First Pres? Have you been worshiping with us and are interested in learning about becoming a member? If so, please contact Pastor Miriam (mleupold@firstpresalbany.org or 518-449-7332). She will be zooming/meeting with interested people, exploring their hopes and dreams for where you can serve God.
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Please fill out your Time and Talent card
and return to the church.
Surface mail to FPC, 362 State St. Albany, NY 12210
Take a photo of this sheet or scan and send to
Jamie in the Church Office
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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, February 17, 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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In partnership with NYS Writers Institute
UAlbany Speaker Series
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Thursday, February 17, 2022
7 p.m.
Campus Center Ballroom

Conversation and Q&A
HUMA ABEDIN
Political Strategist
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Huma Abedin is a political strategist and vice-chair of Hillary Clinton’s 2016 Presidential campaign as well as the author of the new memoir Both/And: A Life in Many Worlds (Nov. 2021). Abedin tells the remarkable story of her Indian and Pakistani family, her Muslim faith, her Saudi Arabian childhood, her 1996 White House internship with then-First Lady Hillary Clinton, and her subsequent career as personal aide, trusted advisor, Middle East expert, and chief of staff for the former New York Senator.
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2022 Annual Celebration honoring
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
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Wednesday, February 23, 2022
7 p.m.
Campus Center Ballroom
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Keynote Speaker
ANTHONY RAY HINTON
Human Rights and Prison Reform Activist
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Anthony Ray Hinton spent 30 years on death row in Alabama for a crime he did not commit. A passionate speaker for social justice, Hinton was freed in 1995 with the help of renowned legal advocate Bryan Stevenson. Mr. Hinton’s story is chronicled in Stevenson’s bestselling 2014 book Just Mercy, and in the 2019 major motion picture of the same name.
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RSVP to attend

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Face masks are required for everyone in attendance as well as adherence to all other COVID safety guidelines
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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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A message from the
Social Justice and Peacemaking Committee
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In honor of Black History Month, the Post Office has issued a commemorative stamp in honor of the sculptor Edmonia Lewis. Ms. Lewis is a local. She was born in 1844 in Rensselaer County and went to school in Albany. She first established herself as a professional artist in Boston. In1865 she moved to Rome. Italy where she began to work in marble and earned wide recognition for her work. She died in London in 1907 but her work lives on in many museums including 8 pieces in the Smithsonian. Click here to see her stamp. The SJ&P Committee encourages you to purchase her stamps at your local post office.
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A message from the
Black History Month Committee
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Black History Month is a time to celebrate food! We at First Pres usually have a sit down lunch together. We can't do that this year, but we can celebrate the variety of food in the African American community and support two highly praised and well known local blackowned businesses. How about traditional southern African American food: fried chicken, mac and cheese, cornbread? Then try Allie B's Cozy Kitchen, on Clinton Ave. Or try African, Asian and Caribbean inspired food prepared by Umana's Restaurant, on Washington Ave. Try both!! Your tastebuds will thank you! They both do takeout. Information and menus are on their websites.
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We will break from gathering Sun 2/20, the first weekend of Feb school break.
In-person Youth Gathering will resume Sun 2/27 @ 5-7pm.
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Sunday Youth program changes:
We will no longer meet via zoom on Sunday mornings
Sunday evening gatherings continue for all youth in 6th-12th grades. We meet in the youth room on the second floor.
High filtration masks are required in the building. We have updated air filtration units in rooms throughout the building. Eating is suspended for the time being so we can keep masks on the entire time.
Current Protocol:
To attend in-person youth events, you must be symptom free and provide proof of vaccination (upload here). Please enter through the office door off the parking lot. If the door is locked, please text Molly. Upon entry, sanitize hands & sign in (for contact tracing purposes). KN95 masks are available at the sign-in station if you need one.

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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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Parents of High School Youth:
Please review your 2022 summer calendar and let Molly know if your rising 9th grader to graduating 12th grader will go to Triennium—July 24-27 in Indianapolis. More info @ presbyterianyouthtriennium.org
Parent Meeting TBA
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Tuesday, 2/15 9:00am Men's Bible Study via Zoom
5:30pm Worship Committee Meeting
7:00pm Session Meeting
Wednes., 2/16 10:00am Women to Women Small Group
Thurs., 2/17 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
7:00pm Soloist/Choir Rehearsal
Friday, 2/18 2:00pm Service of Witness to the Resurrection for
Mike Attwell
Sunday, 2/20 9:00am Adult Education via Zoom
9:15am Children’s Education via Zoom
9:30am Soloist/Choir Rehearsal
10:30am Worship Service In-Person/Livestream on
Facebook
11:30am Fellowship Time
Tuesday, 2/22 9:00am Men's Bible Study via Zoom
6:00pm Legacy Giving Subcommittee Meeting
6:30pm FOCUS Board Meeting
Wednes., 2/23 6:30pm SWAT Team
7:00pm Dads' Small Group
Thurs., 2/24 7:00am Men's Bible Study (Rose Room)
12:30pm Finger Labyrinth Walk and Meditation
7:00pm Soloist/Choir Rehearsal
Sunday, 2/27 9:00am Adult Education via Zoom
9:15am Children’s Education via Zoom
9:30am Soloist/Choir Rehearsal
10:30am Worship Service In-Person/Livestream on
Facebook
11:30am Fellowship Time
Monday, 2/28 1:00pm Covenant Group
Tuesday, 3/1 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
7:30pm Christian Education Committee Meeting
7:30pm Social Justice & Peacemaking Committee Meeting
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