MISSION
The church is called to mission. As God has sent Jesus into the world, so Jesus sends us (John 20: 21). "By the Holy Spirit all who believe and are baptized receive a ministry to witness to Jesus as Savior and Lord and to love and serve those with whom they live and work" (RCA Liturgy). We are called to serve others in the name of Christ by caring for the suffering, relieving the oppressed, proclaiming the message of reconciliation, working for justice, and sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ. From the goal statements |
LOCAL MISSIONS
Food Pantry The current food pantry is a continuation of the centuries-old custom of taking care of widows, orphans and the homeless through the Deacons Fund since the reformation in the 1500’s. It serves people in the neighborhood and is managed by a Community Outreach Worker with the help of volunteers. Last year, the food pantry served 361households, many of them several times. Monthly supplies of food and other grocery store essentials, such as diapers and toothpaste, are distributed. Other programs, such as “Back-to-School-Night”, “Mitten Tree”, “Christmas Shoppe” and “Thanksgiving Basket” minister to children and families around the holidays and other special times of the year. Food Pantry Hours Monday and Wednesday 9:00 -11:30 a.m. Call Church Office for Inquiries (518) 463-4449 The Neighborhood Counseling Center at First Church in Albany Adult residents in the First Church neighborhood are offered free pastoral counseling with retired pastoral counselor, Ross Westhuis. Hours are Wednesdays 9 am-Noon. Stop in or call for an appointment: 463-4449. Youth Missions This past summer the Youth Missions Group traveled to Scranton, PA, from July 27 to August 3, to help with home repairs. Our youth participated with approximately 400 other youth and advisors from many different churches and different denominations across the country. CROP Hunger Walk First Church members participate in the annual CROP hunger walk, a national fundraising event organized by the Church World Services which distributes the proceeds to local food pantries and to international relief efforts. www.churchworldservice.org Alcoholics Anonymous FCA hosts a weekly AA meeting in the church parlor on Wednesdays at 12:00 noon. Visit www.aaalbany.org for more information. Albany Overflow Shelter for Men First Church supports the Albany Emergency Overflow Shelter run by the Capital Area Council of Churches. We provide one to two meals a month for the clients. This wintertime shelter accommodates up to 20 homeless men. www.capareachurches.org Equinox Thanksgiving Program Each year a First Church workgroup helps out with the food preparation for the Equinox Thanksgiving Dinner. This event feeds those of limited income as well as persons looking for dinner company on this holiday. www.equinoxinc.org. GLOBAL MISSIONS Christmas and Easter Offerings Special offerings are received at the Easter and Christmas worship services. This money is distributed to local and/or global charities. In the past this has included: Capital City Rescue Mission (homeless shelter), children’s nutrition in Honduras, Habitat for Humanity, etc. International Missionaries First Church supports, together with other RCA churches, Richard and Carol Otterness who serve the Roma people (also known as Gypsies) in Eastern Europe. We also support Bruce and Laurie Hawley who help facilitate volunteer work groups working with RCA mission partners around the world. www.rca.org. |