First Pres is pleased to welcome five new members who joined on May 1. Please introduce yourselves to them when you see them at worship.
 Grace Ekiaghen Adang Grace is a nurse and has just applied to take the NCLEX, an exam required to be certified to practice nursing in New York State. Grace has previously been a chorister and is interested in ways she can serve in our church. She is married to Binda Godlove Aka, and they have three boys: Binda Godlove Aka Jr. age 6, Gabrianl Adang Abiaba Binda age 3, and Gracian Awana Egog Binda, age 1.
Binda Godlove Aka
Binda is a Visiting Assistant Professor in Political Science at Siena. Binda is married to Grace Ekiaghen Adang, and he enjoys playing with their children. He also enjoys congregational singing, reading novels, swimming, and playing soccer.
Jeffrey Jacques
 Jeffrey joins by reaffirmation of faith. He is pursuing a Ph.D. at the University at Albany where he is also a Graduate Teaching Assistant. In addition, he works as an independent paralegal and a Karuna Reiki Master. He is married to Meddy Jacques, and they co-pastored an independent interfaith congregation for nearly 11 years. Jeff has many interests, including gardening, philosophy, and writing. He hopes to serve in web design and maintenance at First Pres as well as worship services.
Meddy Jacques
Meddy joins by reaffirmation of faith. She is self-employed as a paralegal. Meddy is married to Jeff Jacques and shares his interest in gardening. Among her other hobbies are lizards, reading, painting and pottery. Meddy would like to get involved in labyrinth walks and read scripture lessons at First Pres when in Albany.
 Steve King
Steve King joins First Pres by transfer from the First Congregational Church of Williamstown, Massachusetts. Steve is a retired University Registrar for the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in North Adams, Massachusetts. He has previously sung in church choirs and hopes to join our choir as a bass.
 Note: We also include a photo of Kathie Keck, who joined in February 2021 while we were worshipping only online. Kathie has been helping serve refreshments for fellowship time among other volunteer roles. Please say “hello” when you see her.
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New and Exciting Educational Opportunity for the Entire Congregation
The new and exciting educational program “Trouble the Water: Conversations to Disrupt Racism and Dominance" offered by the Anti Racism Task Force continues. 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. Join us via Zoom on the next five 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., 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.
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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
Get on the New York bus to the June 18th Poor People's And Low-Wage Workers Assembly and Moral March On Washington.
New York is joining people from across the nation to gather in Washington, DC for the June 18th Poor People's and Low-Wage Workers Assembly and Moral March On Washington. We will come together after months of mobilizing and organizing for this declaration by poor and low-income people and our moral allies to say that this system is killing ALL of us and we can’t…we won’t…we refuse to be silent anymore!
Saturday, June 18 departure times and locations in New York state are listed below. We will be returning in the late evening on June 18. We encourage all who are able to donate to cover the cost of their seat ($75). Lunch will be provided. Proof of vaccination will be required.
Join Us! Register now to reserve your seat!
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Adult education - May 15
On May 15, join in conversation with Fred Boehrer, executive director of FOCUS ministry to hear updates on how this organization continues to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor in the capital region. What drives and inspires him? How and why you might you play a more vital role?
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FELLOWSHIP TIME: We're pleased to announce that Fellowship Time is once again being held either in Assembly Hall or outside on Willett St. 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:
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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!
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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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Robert Dreher Mary Vail
5/1 5/16
Meddy Jacques Rose Jackson
5/2 5/20
Peggy Schalit Rowan Lindsley Fletcher
5/2 5/20
Janna Pfluger-Boucher Ray Henrikson
5/4 5/22
Owen Gilbo Jacquelyn Ellsworth
5/7 5/29
Miriam Lawrence Leupold Todd Stevens
5/9 5/29
Karen Smith Eric Fagans
5/10 5/30
Susan Sneeringer Sebastian Mikel Tañón-Elias
5/14 5/30
Sam Rogers Mary Kelly
5/15 5/31
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, 5/10 9:00am Men's Bible Study via Zoom
6:30pm Anti-Racism Task Force
Wednes., 5/11 7:00pm Trouble the Water
7:30pm Dads' Small Group Meeting
Thurs., 5/12 7:00am Men's Bible Study (Rose Room)
6:30pm SWAT Team Meeting
7:00pm Soloist/ Choir Rehearsal
Sunday, 5/15 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, 5/17 9:00am Men's Bible Study via Zoom
7:00pm Session Meeting
Wednes., 5/18 10:00am Women to Women Small Group Meeting
7:00pm Trouble the Water
Thurs., 5/19 7:00am Men's Bible Study (Rose Room)
6:30pm General Meeting of Capital Region Poor
People’s Campaign
7:00pm Soloist/ Choir Rehearsal
Sunday, 5/22 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, 5/23 1:00pm Covenant Group Meeting
Tuesday, 5/24 9:00am Men's Bible Study via Zoom
7:00pm FOCUS Board Meeting
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