Faith in the Public Square

The annual ecumenical Good Friday Service of the Capital Area Council of Churches will be at noon on April 18 at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Albany. It also will be live-streamed.   Based on the last seven words of Christ on the cross, the service will feature clergy and laity from a variety of denominations . The year’s speakers are:   The Rt. Rev. Jeremiah Williamson (Episcopal Diocese of Albany) The Rev. Dr. Amaury Tañón-Santos (Sycamore Collaborative) The Rev. Heather Kirk-Davidoff (Westminster Presbyterian Church) The Rev. Elizabeth Moses (Bethany Reformed Church) The Rev. David Moore (Presbyterian, retired) Fr. James Kane (Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany) The Rev. Glendora Battle (Welcome Chapel, Missionary Baptist Church) To register for the livestream, click  https://www.capareacc.org/programs/good-friday-ecumenical-service/

In response to a letter from several Palestinian Christian leaders to their fellow Christians around the world, the New York State Council of Churches is inviting people to join a “Living Stones” solidarity tour of Palestine and Israel in May.  The tour, May 4 to 16, will be led by Dr. Michael Spath, Executive Director of the Indiana Center for Middle East Peace, who has led multiple trips to Palestine and Israel. In their letter, the Palestine Christian leaders wrote, “We write to you with heavy hearts but steadfast spirits, seeking your solidarity and presence in a time of great need. The land where Jesus once walked, the Holy Land, has been enduring decades of turmoil, displacement, and violence. Our communities are under continuous attack, and our people, though resilient, feel increasingly isolated. We deeply appreciate the prayers offered from afar, but now, more than ever, we need our Christian sisters and brothers to join us here, to pray with ...

Graduating high school seniors who live, worship, or attend school in Albany or southern Rensselaer County have until March 31 to apply for the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship offered by the Capital Area Council of Churches. Applicants must be active in their school and faith community and accepted at an accredited college or university for the fall semester. They must submit a 500-word essay regarding their understanding about the teachings of Rev. King and how they might promote his ideals in their life. An on-line form and additional information are available here .

  The New York State Council of Churches will have its annual Ecumenical and Interfaith Advocacy Days on March 3 and 4 at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 85 Chestnut Street in Albany. The event begins with an evening program and reception on Monday, March 3 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the church. On Tuesday, March 4, attendees will gather at the church for coffee at 9 a.m., followed by  sessions on legislative issues. Lunch will be provided. A 12:30 p.m. news conference at the Capitol will be followed by legislative visits from 1-4:30 p.m. The cost for the event is $30 but the Council says that no one will be turned away. To register, click here .

The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Interfaith Celebration will be held this Wednesday (January 15) at 7 p.m. at Congregation Beth Emeth, 100 Academy Road in Albany.    The Capital Area Council of Churches provides the following information.   This year’s speaker is Rabbi Greg Weitzman Senior Rabbi of Congregation Beth Emeth. Music will be provided by the Interfaith Choir, Community Voices, The Festival Celebration Choir, and Cantor Emily Short. Faiths participating include Christian, Jewish, Islam, and Buddhism.   This interfaith memorial service is held each year on January 15, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday and brings community members together to reflect on Dr. King’s legacy. It also includes a time to collect donations for the Capital Area Council of Churches’ Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship Awards for high school seniors.   Now Accepting Applications – Deadline March 31, 2025   The MLK scholarship is available to graduating ...

The Festival Celebration Choir, a non-profit multi-faith, community choir based in Albany and active throughout the Capital Region, will join with Capital Community Voices to present “A Season for Song” on Sunday, December 15 at 3:00 p.m. at Emmanuel Reformed Church, 1150 Maple Hill Road in Castleton. Admission is $15, with children 12 and under admitted free. According to its website, the Choir was founded in 1985. It has offered two major concerts each year since 1991, with the exception of 2020, when the season was cancelled, and 2021, when there was one concert in December.  The choir often sings at interfaith events, benefit concerts, and collaborates with other local choirs.