Faith in the Public Square

The Labor-Religion Coalition of New York State will hold its Virtual Moral Fusion Leadership Awards on November 17 to “honor leaders who were on the front lines of responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, meeting critical needs in our communities and fighting for justice, equity, and protection for workers.”     The recipients this year are:   Mark Emanatian (Capital District Area Labor Federation) and Sister Betsy VanDeusen (Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Albany), who partnered with the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York to coordinate hundreds of drive-through mass food distributions throughout the Capital Region during the pandemic.   Workers at Pindar Vineyards (RWDSU/UFCW Local 338), who this year became the first group of farmworkers in the state to unionize under the 2019 Farm Laborers Fair Labor Practices Act.   Albany Medical Center Nurses (NYSNA), who won a fair first contract that offers them a stronger voice in patient care, as well as...

The New York State Council of Churches will have its sixth annual awards and fundraising gala on Wednesday, December 8. The gala will be held virtually from 6:30 to 8 with a reception from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. Awards will be presented in five different categories to individuals and organizations all across the state.   More information about the event and the opportunity to purchase a sponsorship or make a donation is available here .    Here is list of those being honored: ‍ Excellence in Affordable Housing and Sustainable Community Development Award Bishop Dr. R. C. Hugh Nelson, Senior Pastor, Church of God of East Flatbush Partnering with Brisa Builders Development Corporation, Church of God of East Flatbush completed 315 units of affordable housing in the neighborhood of Brownsville, Brooklyn New York as part of their Ebeneezer Plaza development. The Reverend Dr. William Shillady and The United Methodist City Society Partnering with The Bronx Pro Group, United Methodist C...

An Episcopal Liturgy for Planetary Crisis, featuring Presiding Bishop Michael Curry,  will be offered on Saturday, November 6, at 11:00 a.m.  The service is in conjunction wi th the UN Climate Conference, known as COP26, a nd will include the “ Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop’s Delegation and all who have been present in witness and advocacy at this global climate conference.”   This service is open to all and will focus on “the need for swift, just action to bring us back into right relationships across the human family and with all of God’s creation. The liturgy will draw on our Episcopal Church tradition and beyond and will offer strength to the community at COP26. Spanish interpretation will be provided.”   You can register  here:   https://buff.ly/3q1oi0i