Faith in the Public Square

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 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 ...

To mark the   sixtieth anniversary of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom , the Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life at Georgetown University is offering an on-line dialogue titled   Keeping the Dream Alive   on Monday, August 28 from  6 – 7 p.m. Although best remembered for Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King’s “I have a dream” speech, the march was organized by leaders in the areas of civil rights, religion, and labor leaders to call for an end to segregation and racial discrimination, as well as advocating for fair wages and economic justice, voting rights, education, and long-overdue civil rights protections. John Carr, founder of the Initiative and former director of justice and peace efforts for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops , will moderate the discussion. Speakers include: Sr. Anita Baird, DHM is the founding director of the Archdiocese of Chicago’s Office for Racial Justice and a past president of the National B...