Social Justice & Peacemaking
Welcome to the home of the Social Justice Ministry at First Pres. Our vision is to eradicate systemic poverty, eliminate structural racism, and build a vital congregation that celebrates the good news of God’s love, peace, and joy. Join us in our mission to make a positive impact in our community and beyond.
God has told you what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? —Micah 6:8
If you take a walk through our neighborhood, you’ll see PRIDE flags proudly hung outside, a symbol of our commitment to inclusion and support for the LGBTQ+ community. At First Pres, our social justice ministry is dedicated to creating a welcoming and equitable environment for all. We actively engage in initiatives that address systemic inequalities and advocate for marginalized communities.
Social Justice and Peacemaking Committee
First Pres has a longstanding commitment to championing various social justice issues. We actively engage in addressing societal inequalities and injustices by raising awareness about issues like poverty and racism, providing direct support to those in need, advocating for policy changes, and partnering with other organizations. This reflects our dedication to living out Jesus’ teachings by standing with the marginalized and promoting compassion, justice, and peace in the community.
For more information, please contact Pastor Glenn via phone or email.
The Labor-Religion Coalition and Poor People’s Campaign
First Presbyterian Church joins with the Labor-Religion Coalition of New York State, an alliance that brings together faith, labor, and community groups to advocate for social, racial, and economic justice. This coalition serves as the cornerstone organization for the New York State Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival. This campaign looks to address the five interlocking injustices of systemic racism, systemic poverty, ecological devastation, the war economy, militarism, and the distorted moral narrative of religious nationalism.
Local Advocacy
Loving someone means standing up for them. First Pres engages in advocacy efforts to address social justice issues in our community. Our location near the State Capitol allows us to speak truth to power and urge our elected officials to act responsibly. Working closely with the FOCUS ministry, our members participate in rallies advocating for issues such as raising the minimum wage, increasing state funding for hunger programs, supporting marriage equality, passing GENDA, and speaking out against racially motivated violence.
Special Statements on Unity
In response to the recent threat to ban transgender Americans from military service, we, the Session of First Presbyterian Church, Albany, NY, stand in solidarity with our transgender sisters and brothers and with all people, regardless of sexual identity or orientation, in denouncing discrimination in all its forms and regardless of its source. No person is a “burden” or a “distraction.” Each is a beloved child of God and a sister or brother to each of us. We especially call on those in powerful office or positions of authority to carefully consider the full impact of their pronouncements in advance of issuing them.
— Adopted 8-15-17 by First Presbyterian Church Session
In response to the recent threat to ban transgender Americans from military service, we, the Session of First Presbyterian Church, Albany, NY, stand in solidarity with our transgender sisters and brothers and with all people, regardless of sexual identity or orientation, in denouncing discrimination in all its forms and regardless of its source. No person is a “burden” or a “distraction.” Each is a beloved child of God and a sister or brother to each of us. We especially call on those in powerful office or positions of authority to carefully consider the full impact of their pronouncements in advance of issuing them.
— Adopted 8-15-17 by First Presbyterian Church Session
As Christians, we, the Session of First Presbyterian Church, Albany, NY, are committed to stand with all who are oppressed, marginalized, victimized, or persecuted and to do all in our power to protect and defend. We boldly assert that God’s creation is universal and is a reflection of God’s own self, those of every race, color, ethnicity, of every gender, sexual orientation or sexual identity, speaking every language and born in every place, following every religious tradition. Every one of these is created in God’s own image and rejection of any is a rejection of God. We especially invite those in positions of leadership and power to restrain any injustice and to avoid at all costs any pandering or use of prejudice for political gain. We seek a world as God envisions, a world of justice, mercy, and love.
—Adopted 9-19-17 by First Presbyterian Church Session