Faith in the Public Square

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 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 .

Because of the expected snow storm, this event has been re-scheduled to March 20-21. The New York State Council of Churches will have its annual Ecumenical and Interfaith Advocacy Days in Albany on February 27 and 28. This year’s focus is on immigration and the housing crisis in New York.   According to promotional material, the Council expects that the Governor and the Legislature will focus on addressing the affordable housing crisis in 2023. In addition, they believe, the issue of immigration will be front and center on the political stage because of the lifting of Title 42 and the influx of immigrants across the state.   The evening begins at 6:00 p.m. on Monday with a gathering at Westminster Presbyterian Church , 262 State Street in Albany. The program begins at 6:30 p.m. The guest preacher is Reverend Reginald Bacchus, Senior Pastor at Mt. Ollie Baptist Church in Brownsville, Brooklyn. A reception will follow at 8:00 p.m.   Participants will gather again at the ch...