Educational Opportunity
Members of First Presbyterian’s Antiracism Task Force will conclude
a series called “Dismantling Racism, Building Racial Justice in Institutions”
When: Wednesday, February 8, 7—8:30 pm
Where: via zoom
Format: Pre-recorded webinars and group discussions; webinars produced by Crossroads for the Association of Partners in Christian Education and the Presbyterian Youth Workers Association
Topic: “How can Christian educators cultivate values that
challenge white supremacy?”
Contact the church office (518-449-7332 or info@firstpresalbany.org) in advance to sign up, obtain the video link and obtain the zoom link. Participants will be asked to view a 1-hour webinar at home before each gathering. On Wednesday evening, we will watch a related 30 minute Q & A segment together and then discuss.
************
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.
************
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: healthy snacks, soap, wash cloths, towels, deodorant, tooth brushes, tooth paste, several bath mats (for the school showers), small hand gloves, small feet socks, wash cloths, children sized long-sleeved shirts, sweat-shirts, or hoodies.
************
Join us online for Finger Labyrinth Walks and Meditations each 
Thursday through February 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 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!
************
Whitewashed: The Racism Project
Saturday, February 18, 3:00pm
Please join us!
Please join members of Westminster’s Racial Justice Vigil Team and First Presbyterian’s Anti-Racism Task Force on Saturday, February 18, at 3:00 pm for a film and conversation about the history and ongoing impact of racial oppression in America.
Westminster’s Racial Justice Vigil has taken place every Tuesday since September 2020. Local activist Shirey Archie joins on his lunch break from his job. Archie was profiled by Paul Grondahl in the Times Union this past October. Several First Pres members went to see the stage production of Whitewashed: The Racism Project, which Archie co-created with director Michael Kennedy and a group of local actors.
As part of our ongoing effort to deepen our understanding of systemic racism, the Racial Justice Vigil team and FPC’s Anti-Racism Task Force are hosting a viewing of the film version of Whitewashed. Afterwards, we’ll talk about the film and the issues it raises with Archie and director Michael Kennedy. Please join us!
Whitewashed: The Racism Project - Following a year of collaborative writing and rehearsing by a cast of local Black actors and activists, Whitewashed premiered as a stage production in September 2019 and performed locally to sold out houses until live performances were halted due to COVID-19. This production confronts white fragility and internalized racism by presenting the history and present-day experiences of being Black in America. See the trailer here. The film lasts approximately 75 minutes.
Where: At the Westminster Presbyterian Church, 85 Chestnut Street, Albany. Venue parking is limited but street parking is also available.
Cost: Free of charge and open to the community. Donations in support of the work of Creative Action Unlimited, “a theater company committed to sharing the stories of marginalized and vulnerable members of our society…in order to create meaningful social change,” will be gladly received.
************
************
Albany Presbytery is seeking to hire a part-time (12-15 hours/week) Administrative Support Services person "to provide administrative and communications support to the Presbytery enabling effective and hospitable administrative support." Click here for more details. If you or someone you know is interested, cover letter and resume can be sent to revkyle@hamiltonunionpresbyterianchurch.org .
