Faith in the Public Square

T he 28th annual Kateri Peace Conference will be on August 15 at the St. Kateri Shrine in Fonda. The theme is “Weaving A Tapestry of Renewal, Resilience and Transformation.” According to the organizers:     We are living through a time in our collective history when great and overwhelming confusion and debilitating fear often result in the temptation to withdraw, surrendering hope and our ability to act.       The list of reasons for this paralysis are numerous and can be terrifying, heartbreaking, enraging. The pain we are all experiencing is extensive and the suffering in our world and planetary family can be felt at every turn.  What then are our alternatives?        This year’s Kateri Peace Conference offers a day of community and healing, coming together to share grief, anger and confusion yet also our strength, joy and cohesion realizing our communal connections, ability to transfor...

The annual Pax Christi New York State Gathering will be at the Saint Kateri Tekakwitha National Shrine in Fonda on Friday, August 14 from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The theme is “Living Nonviolence in a Violent World.”   The featured speakers are:     - Marie Dennis, Director of the Catholic Institute for Nonviolence and Senior Director of the Catholic Nonviolence Initiative of Pax Christi International; and     - Tom Cordaro, former director of Justice and Outreach Ministry at St. Margaret Mary Parish in Naperville, IL and former chair of the Pax Christi USA National Council.   The gathering is open to the public.   Organizers request a donation of $25 in advance or $30 at the door. Payments by check can be made payable to Pax Christi New York State and sent to Tom Casey, 70 Shearer Avenue, East Aurora, NY 14052-1621.   For more information, contact Rosemarie Pace at  nypaxchristi@gmail.com .

The Capital Area Council of Churches is joining local faith leaders to present an Intercessory Prayer Service to End Gun Violence on Saturday, June 27 at The First Church, 110 North Pearl Street in Albany.  The service, from 9-10:30 a.m., will feature 24 individuals praying for a different aspect of gun violence prevention. 

  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...

If anyone has thoughts they would like to share with President Trump, they can call the White House Comment Line Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The number is 202-456-1111.

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 ...

The New York State Council of Churches is looking for sponsors for its 10th Annual Awards and Fundraising Gala to be on November 13 at the Crowne Plaza Albany – The Desmond Hotel, at 660 Albany Shaker Road in Albany. The evening will honor exceptional individuals with awards such as:      Excellence in Housing Justice Award    Excellence in Ecumenism and Interfaith Relations Award      Excellence in Social Justice Award      Excellence in Union Organizing Award      Edwin Muller Chaplaincy Award For more information on sponsorship opportunities, click here .

The annual John U. Miller CROP Hunger Walk, sponsored by the Capital Area Council of Churches, will take place at St. Vincent’s Roman Catholic Church, 900 Madison Avenue in Albany this Sunday, May 4.    Registration begins at 1:30 p.m. with the walk starting at 2:30 p.m.   According to the Council’s website, CROP stands for “Communities Respond to Overcome Poverty”. People of all ages collect pledges and walk in one of the CROP Walks that take place in the greater Capital District. The John U. Miller CROP Hunger Walk occurs each year on the first Sunday in May. Congregations throughout Albany County join together to end hunger, one step at a time.   To learn more, or to register on-line for the event, click here .

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.

FOCUS Churches of Albany and Westminster Commons w ill host the First Annual FOCUS Festival of Thanks and Giving on  Sunday, November 24  from 12 noon to 2 p.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 85 Chestnut Street in Albany. The festival will feature a variety of activities led by members of FOCUS Churches, including Westminster, such as kindness stones, gratitude flags, Thanksgiving cards for  guests of the FOCUS Interfaith Food Pantry,  games for all ages, and a light lunch.    At 1 p.m., attendees are invited to join a Circle of Gratitude with songs and a chance to share what they are thankful for this season.   If you would like to help with this event, please contact Pastor Heather  at  pastor@wpcalbany.org .   Although the event is free, donations to support the work of the FOCUS Churches of Albany will be appreciated. Donations of non-perishable food are welcome for the FOCUS Interfaith Food Pantry.

Peter Crasto-Donnelly has been selected as the new Executive Director of the Capital Area Council of Churches . Peter has served on the board for five years and as Board President for the last two years. He is a member of the Shrine Church of Our Lady of the Americas in Albany.     In making the announcement, the board expressed its thanks to Bruce France for his five years of service as Executive Director and thanked him for his ongoing help to ensure a smooth transition.   A video message from Peter is available here .

Since1890, Popes have entrusted their monthly prayer intentions to the Apostleship of Prayer, now known as the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network . It is a service of the Holy See, under the care of the Society of Jesus.  The intention for August is for political leaders:   We pray that political leaders be at the service of their own people, working for integral human development and for the common good, especially caring for the poor and those who have lost their jobs.