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News from First Presbyterian Church!
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Opportunities

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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Got a Favorite Recipe?

A small group of members of First Pres Church and Walls Temple AME Zion Church have been meeting to form a friendship between our two congregations that we hope will produce a partnership to stand against racism together.

As part of this effort, our congregations will be gathering on Saturday, May 20, at 1:00pm to share food at a getting-to-know-you picnic potluck outside in the afternoon. We thought that a great way to do this would be to invite everyone to share a favorite recipe in two ways. One is bringing that dish to the picnic potluck and the second to send in the recipe to be included in a joint cookbook that we will hand out at the picnic.

We hope that you will find this as exciting as we do. Please send your recipe to Jamie by April 15, so it can be included in the book. More information will follow as we get closer to the date.

Wanted...

2 Bookshelves: 3 to 4 feet long                                    
& 3 to 4 feet high
       
                 1 Cabinet with shelves
                 and door – preferably
                 wooden






If you have these items and would like to donate them to FPC, please contact Pastor Miriam.

Memo for Mission and Outreach

 

BROOKS BBQ! Tuesday, April 18th, 3 to 6pm 
at Delmar Reformed Church parking lot 
To pre-order your delicious "to-go" Chicken BBQ meals (and for more info), please go to: 
https://www.focuschurches.net/brooks-bbq-fundraiser-2023.html

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CROP Hunger Walk 2023
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 
The Albany CROP Hunger Walk 2023, 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 CROPWALK will go to local food pantries.
 
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.

On May 7th 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. The Walk will take place on Sunday, May 7th, 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 with the in person WALK on May 7th;  walk as a small group in your neighborhood on the day of the WALK;  or “walk” virtually in your own neighborhood any time during the month of May.

JOINING THE 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 have registered a team for First Pres.to participate in CROP WALK 2023.

Our team is “Albany First Presbyterian Church,” and our goal is $2,000 this year but  I know we can do more!

To join our team, please go to the Albany CROP Hunger Walk Web Page to register.

 

The First Presbyterian Church web page is 

https://events.crophungerwalk.org/2023/team/first-pres-3

 

Go to “Join or Start a Team” and select,

  
  Visit http://www.crophungerwalk.org/albanyny to register and set up your team. We also encourage you to invite others to join with us on May 7th to demonstrate our commitment to helping our neighbors.

 

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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: hoodies for little kids, 6-8, 10-12; small sneakers 8c, 9c, 10c, 11c and 12c; sweatpants for little kids, 4t, 5t, 5, 6, 8,. 10; hand sanitizers. Recently given out: 8 pairs of boys underwear and sweat pants; approx. same number of girl’s leggings; 6 pair of socks and 4 pair of boots.

Labyrinth Ministry

Walking a Sacred Path: Discovering the Labyrinth as a Spiritual Tool
 
First Presbyterian Church is launching its Labyrinth Ministry with our new Chartres 36ft labyrinth! We will dedicate the labyrinth after worship on April 16.
 
Join us Saturday, April 15, 9:30-12:00 for a workshop to introduce people to the labyrinth and the spiritual practice of walking it. Pastor Miriam, a trained labyrinth facilitator, will facilitate.  Come find out more about this ancient spiritual tool and have the opportunity to walk on the new First Pres canvas labyrinth.
 
We hope that you will carve out time for this workshop. Sign up with Jamie in the church office (449-7332 or info@firstpresalbany.org).  If you have any questions, please contact Miriam at the church office (449-7332 or mleupold@firstpresalbany.org).
 
People around the world are rediscovering the ancient practice of walking the labyrinth. Unlike a maze which has many paths, a labyrinth has only one path which leads to the center. While a maze is meant to trick and confuse you so you will lose your way, a labyrinth helps you find your way. Labyrinths have been found around the world with the most famous one found in the floor of the nave of Chartres Cathedral in France. First Pres’ new labyrinth is this pattern. Through the years people have used the labyrinth as a spiritual tool—a path of prayer, a walking meditation.


 

Advocacy Work


 

Save the Date - Monday, April 17 - We'll be delivering a Faith Leader letter calling on the legislature to End Medical Debt! Plans for the day are coming together, but will likely include a lunch and gathering after the delivery. Stay tuned for more details.

Thursday, April 20 6:30pm - Our next Capital Region organizing meeting! We'll continue getting ready for May Day! The meeting will be in-person and on zoom, register here.

Sunday, April 30 -The NYSPPC Van Tour will be arriving in the Capitol Region that Sunday afternoon, and we'll likely have a dinner and art build to get ready for May Day. Stay tuned for details!

Youth News

Upcoming Events:


 

Sunday, April 16 
10:10 am -Youth Usher for Worship


Sunday, April 23
12:00-2:00 pm- Lunch & Program in Youth Room* note this is the 4th Sunday, instead of our usual 3rd Sun mtg.

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Summer Service & Reflection Trip 
Washington, D.C. July 30-Aug 5
Total Cost: $850 per student ($283 3way-split between Family/Church/Fundraising)*
Ages: completed 6th -12th grade

 

On this trip, we will stay blocks away from our Nation's Capitol at Washington Seminar Center at Capitol Hill Presbyterian Church. Youth will serve alongside a local agency addressing food insecurity or homelessness. We will also visit our NY State Representative’s offices on Capitol Hill and visit the National Museum of African American History & Culture. Participants will help design the itinerary. We will prepare our own meals and bring our own bedding, & towels.

To register your 6th-12th grader for this trip, please contact Molly. 
A $50 deposit will secure your spot on the trip.

*additional financial assistance is available

Upcoming Events at First Pres

Upcoming Events at First Pres

April 16 – Labyrinth Dedication
April 23 – Earth Day Celebration
April 30 – Sundae Sunday
May 7 – CROP Walk
May 21 – Confirmation
June 4 – More Light Sunday
June 11 – Pride Parade
June 18 – 9:30 summer worship time begins

Calendar

Tuesday, 4/11     9:00am   Men's Bible Study via Zoom
                            6:30pm   Anti Racism Task Force

Wednes., 4/12    7:00pm   Dads' Small Group

Thurs., 4/13        7:00am   Men's Bible Study
                            6:30pm   WPNA Meeting
                            7:00pm   Soloist/ Choir Rehearsal 

Saturday, 4/15    9:30am   Labyrinth Workshop

Sunday, 4/16     9:15am   Preschool Education 
                            9:15am   Children’s Education 
                            9:15am   Adult Education
                            9:30am   Soloist/Choir Rehearsal
                          10:30am   Worship Service in the sanctuary and                                                                 livestreaming on Facebook
                          11:45am   Labyrinth Dedication during Fellowship Time

Tuesday, 4/18     9:00am   Men's Bible Study via Zoom
                            3:00pm   Brooks BBQ
                            7:00pm   Session Meeting

Wednes., 4/19    10:00am   Women to Women Small Group

Thurs., 4/20        7:00am   Men's Bible Study
                            7:00pm   Soloist/ Choir Rehearsal 


Sunday, 4/23     9:15am   Preschool Education 
                            9:15am   Children’s Education 
                            9:15am   Adult Education
                            9:15am   Confirmation Class
                            9:30am   Soloist/Choir Rehearsal
                          10:30am   Worship Service in the sanctuary and                                                                 livestreaming on Facebook
                          11:45am   Fellowship Time
                          12:00pm   Youth Group

Monday, 4/24     1:00pm   Covenant Group

Tuesday, 4/25     9:00am   Men's Bible Study via Zoom
                            6:00pm   Finance Committee Meeting
                            6:30pm   FOCUS Board Meeting
                           

 
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Contact info: church office: 518-449-7332  info@firstpresalbany.org

April Birthdays

John Minerbrook                        Ekong Takor
4/17                                                4/25
Sarah John                                   Robin Dowell Baum
4/17                                                4/26
Eli Rice                                         John Knutson  
4/17                                                4/27
Joyce Bascom                              John Abunaw
4/20                                                4/27
Gail Scott                                      Ani Dowell Baum
4/24                                                4/30
David Chapin                                       
4/25                                                                    

                                             
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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Copyright © *2022* *First Presbyterian Church*, All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is:
362 State Street
Albany, NY 12210

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