Faith in the Public Square

  This week, the New York State Council of Churches announced that Rashida Tyler, former Deputy Director of the Council, has been named its Executive Director. She replaces Rev. Peter Cook, who served as Executive Director for ten years before leaving the position in March. In making the announcement, Gary VanKrennen, president of the Executive Committee, noted that Tyler is the first African-American woman elected to lead the statewide ecumenical organization. He said, "Rashida brings deep faith, strong organizational leadership, and lifelong commitment to justice to this role. We are confident that Rashida's leadership will build on the Council's historic legacy while charting a new path for its future." The announcement said that she will focus on "strengthening congregations, advancing housing affordability, helping end homelessness, and continuing the Council's long public witness for human dignity, civil rights, workers' rights, criminal justice ref...

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The Albany Presbytery Peacemaking Task Force will present a gun violence prevention worship and discussion on Saturday, May 2 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 85 Chestnut Street in Albany.   The guest preacher is Rev. Margery Rossi, Minister of Gun Violence Prevention for the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship. According to a news release, Rev. Rossi brings more than 15 years of experience in gun violence prevention ministry in congregational and church settings. In addition, she has played a crucial role in shaping and implementing the PC(USA) policy on gun violence prevention and intervention throughout these years.   Worship will be followed by a time of education, discussion, and refreshments.   More information and a link to registration is here .

 FOCUS Churches of Albany will have a Combined Winter Worship Service on Sunday, February 1 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 85 Chestnut Street in Albany.  Featuring a joint choir directed by Christopher Price, they will gather to renew the FOCUS Covenant, acknowledging “our common calling to work together more effectively than we can separately.” Based in downtown Albany, FOCUS “brings people together to respond to hunger and basic needs with dignity and care.” People can participate either in-person or online via Zoom. Zoom details are available here .

The Capital Area Council of Churches invites the community to celebrate the birthday of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on January 15 at Macedonia Baptist Church, 26 Wilson Avenue in Albany. The program begins at 7 p.m. Held annually on January 15, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday, this Interfaith Memorial Service brings the community together to honor his legacy by raising funds for graduating high school seniors that are attending college in the Fall. The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship was established in 1973 to honor the memory of the life and work of Dr. King and to preserve the legacy of the nonviolent human rights movement as it was expressed in his life and teachings.   For more information, or to donate to the scholarship fund, click here .

Congratulations to all the honorees at last night's 84 th  Anniversary Awards Celebration of the Capital Area Council of Churches. The theme was “Building Bridges.” Here is a list the recipients.   Kathleen Burgess was awarded the Micah 6:8 Award. Kate is the founder and Regional Director of the Ignatian Volunteer Corps (IVC) in Albany, a ministry of the Jesuits.   The Rev. D. Lowell Chilton Pastor received The Rev. Joyce Giles Pastoral Award.  He is the pastor of First Lutheran Church, Albany, and Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Loudonville, and one of the chaplains of the Albany Maritime Ministry, offering hospitality, spiritual care, and shore leave transportation for seafarers on cargo ships visiting the Capital Region.   Kitt Jackson received the Evelyn C. Stone Lifetime Achievement Award. During her 17 years as the Administrative Director of the Council, she was part of the CROP Hunger Walk Committee, eventually becoming its chair. Kitt's efforts ...