Faith in the Public Square

On Tuesday, May 2, representatives of various faiths will join charities and labor organizations for a rally at the Capitol in support of  a single bill that promises to address climate change, inflation, high food costs, and the reality that developing countries need debt relief as quickly as possible.  Sponsored by Assemblymenber Patricia Fahy, the New York Taxpayer and International Debt Crises Protection Act (S4747, A2970) is intended to “ promote effective and orderly sovereign debt restructuring for countries suffering from the pandemic, health, and economic crises, achieve equitable burden-sharing between public and private creditors, address economic and supply chain shocks, prevent financial system disruption, and protect NY taxpayers.”   The organization Debt Justice explains the climate change connection this way:   The economic shock of the pandemic has plunged many lower income countries further into a debt crisis that has been building for the las...

Workers across the United States and beyond mark April 28 as “Workers’ Memorial Day” a day of remembrance for those killed on the job.   Locally, the  Capital District Area Labor Federation  is sponsoring a program on at 11 a.m. this Friday at the  Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Saratoga Springs , at 624 North Broadway.   The ceremony will include not just a message from local labor leaders and workplace safety experts, but also a remembrance of those who lost their lives on the job this year in the Capital District .   For more information, email  kgarbarino@cdalf.org   According to the  Catholic Labor Network , work-related injuries claim the lives of approximately 5,000 Americans each year, while a much larger number fall victim of occupational diseases after extended workplace exposures to hazardous substances. The Catholic Labor Network states:  Death on the job may be a rarity for those of us fortunate enough to work in off...

The New York State Labor-Religion Coalition has re-scheduled its annual Moral Fusion Leadership Awards for May 24 at First Lutheran Church in Albany from 6-8 p.m. The event, originally scheduled for last October, marks a return to an in-person dinner and program, with the option to join virtually.   The honorees are:   St. Paul and St. Andrew United Methodist Church, which has “powerfully engaged its members and partner congregations in study, action and public witness through the Poor People's Campaign: A National Call For Moral Revival and other justice ministries. ” ​ Rabbi Matt Cutler, who has been a leader in interfaith and justice work in the Capital Region for over 25 years, including as Senior Rabbi of Congregation Gates of Heaven in Schenectady, board member of United Way of the Greater Capital Region, and co-founder of Schenectady Clergy Against Hate.   The Fair Pay for Home Care Campaign, “which has been an amazing example of bringing people and organizat...

The Capital Area Council of Churches is conducting an ecumenical service at noon on Good Friday, April 7, at First Lutheran Church in Albany. The theme is “The Last Seven Words of Jesus.” The participating clergy include:   ·         Rev. Leonard Comithier ·         Rev. Antonio Booth ·         Rev. David Preisinger ·         Rev. Jo Page ·         Elder Kitt Jackson ·         Dr. Margaret Anderton ·         Rev. Trey Tirpak ·         Rev. James Kane ·         Rev. William Hinrichs   The church is at 181 Western Avenue. Parking is available at 646 State St.    A livestream of the service will be available on Friday at  First Lutheran's Facebook page .