Focus on FOCUS

Vol. 3, No. 2 Summer 2008

Looking Ahead
July 6 FOCUS Worship Westminster, 9:30 a.m. August 1-22 Bring school supplies to Food Pantry EBC, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. August 3 FOCUS Worship Trinity, 9:30 a.m. August 21-22 Sort school supplies EBC, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. August 25-27 Pack school supplies EBC, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. August 28-30 Distribute school supplies EBC, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. August 31 FOCUS Worship 1st Israel, 9:30 a.m. September 6 FOCUS Golf Day TBA September 27 FOCUS Awards Event TBA

Ecumenical Coalition Sponsors Conference with D. Butler Bass

FOCUS Churches and six other denominational and ecumenical organizations combined resources to bring nationally known writer and researcher Dr. Diana Butler Bass to Albany for a Come Alive and Thrive Conference on June 13-14. From three years of research with congregations across the country, Dr. Bass provided a picture of mainline congregations growing, thriving, and deepening in both their own spirituality and their service to others. Besides FOCUS, sponsors included American Baptist Churches of New York State, Capital Area Baptist Association, Capital Area Council of Churches, Capital Region Ecumenical Association, Capital Region Theological Association, Schenectady Inner City Ministry, and Troy Area United Ministries.

School Drive Gears Up

Now in its sixth year, FOCUS Churches and partner faith communities are again collecting school supplies throughout the summer for children who use our FOCUS Interfaith Food Pantry. Our aim is to provide children with the basic supplies they need to begin school in September prepared to participate fully in class. As prices rise and family budgets are squeezed from all sides, the cost of (continued on page 7)
WORSHIP THIS SUMMER
WITH

Are You the One?

The FOCUS Winter Breakfast Program/Club/Soup Kitchen will begin a 25th season on Tuesday, November 4. (Election Day). Our incredible Breakfast Coordinator, Kathy Linhardt, will be winding down with a fifth season as she turns her attention to other wonderful gifts she has to explore. This will be Kathys last season, and she will be sharing the position with another person. Is it you? FOCUS is searching for a co-coordinator of the Winter Breakfast Program season 2008-09. For a job description e-mail Deb Jameson at focuschurches@juno.com.

FOCUS

November 4 FOCUS Breakfast Program begins Westminster, 7 a.m.

FOCUS is the collaboration of five churches in Albanys Capitol Hill united in our common calling to serve our neighbors needs as Gods servant people in a broken and hurting world.

Services begin at 9:30 a.m., and Communion will be celebrated.

July 6, Westminster Presbyterian 85 Chestnut St. Rev. Debra Jameson, preaching August 3, Trinity United Methodist 235 Lark Street Rev. Jeff Matthews preaching August 31, First Israel AME 381 Hamilton St. Rev. Edward Smart preaching

Gardening in a Bucket Provides Tasty Options

by Becca Leet If its spring, it must be time for Gardening in a Bucket! This project allows people who dont have space for a garden to still grow vegetables. Vegetables are an important part of a balanced diet, contain many nutrients, and are tasty; yet they can also be expensive and will rot quickly if they cannot be stored properly. Each Food Pantry guest or family receives a fivegallon bucket, soil, and seedlings. Several kinds of vegetables can be planted together for variety. With sunshine, water, and a little TLC, bucket gardeners can expect a good harvest of healthy vegetables to enliven their mealsand can take justifiable pride in their accomplishment.

FOCUS Set to Launch Pilot Computers for Kids Project

In collaboration with Troy Area United Ministries (TAUM) and Schenectady Inner City Ministries (SICM), FOCUS will pilot a Computers for Kids project this summer. TAUM founded this program 10 years ago and brought it to Schenectady three years ago. Now FOCUS will take the lead in Albany. Our organizations are thinking regionally. We hope to build computer access by filling the gap between students who use computers and the Internet and those who do not. FOCUS provided the final rest stop on Albanys CROP Computers for Kids is a four-week intenWalk on May 4. Walkers numbered about 550 and have sive training course in which high school students raised $90,000 to date. Contributions continue to be (14- and 15-year-olds) from households living below received. Twenty-five percent of all money raised goes the poverty level learn to take apart and reto area food pantries. build donated computers. At the end of the program, each student takes MCCHV Is Dissolved, home the computer that he or Heart of Hope Begins she has worked on during class FOCUS grieves the time. news that the Metropolitan FOCUS We have forged new Community Church of the collaborations and partGolf Day Hudson Valley (MCCHV) ners to put the program in was dissolved as a church place. In a nutshell: by its denomination on FOCUS provides fundApril 13, 2008. A group ing, computers, and overknown as Heart of Hope is sight, coordination, and administration of the pronow meeting as an independFOCUS Social & ject and hires a teacher and ent house church/study an assistant. Awards Event group at Emmanuel Baptist. Individual congregations FOCUS has extended provide daily lunches. an invitation to Heart of Hope to Albany High School provides a have a representative attend Execucomputer lab and work space for four tive Council meetings as an ex-officio weeks and helps select students. member without a vote until their corporate The City of Albany Summer Youth Employment status is resolved. Program provides stipends to the students during Below is a statement of concern FOCUS sent to the four-week course. the congregation prior to dissolution. Funding and donations have come from many sources, including funds and donations from Dell Dear Members and Friends of Metropolitan ComComputer, gifts in honor of Fran & Bob Kamps munity Church of the Hudson Valley, 50th wedding anniversary and money from Delmar Grace to you and peace, from God our CreaUnited Methodist Church and Delmar Reformed tor and the Lord Jesus Christ. We write to you as your colleagues in minisFOCUS 40th Anniversary Social & Awards Event try and friends on the journey of faith to express Saturday, September 27, 5 8 p.m. our love, concern and support as you enter into a Recognition of volunteers & community advocates significant transition as a church community. We Specialty foods from each FOCUS church feel great sorrow and sadness as you end your 15Peoples Choice Awards and ticket auction year relationship with the founding denomination, Super special music Childcare provided Metropolitan Community Church. We stand with Honorary Committee in formation you as you walk toward a closure and forge an Event is Free of Charge Dont Miss It! emerging identity.

Service Includes Delivery

Once a month, the Pantry goes on the road to serve those who cannot come to the Pantry themselves. Our volunteer driver, Will Ackerly, loads up food for 23 families and delivers bags to Thurlow Terrace and BNai Brith housing. The delivery program started last summer with 12 guests and has grown to the current 23 families. We hope to add another facility soon.

Jimmy Muscatello, owner of The Buttery on Washington Ave. in Albany and long-time customer Jim Woodard, sexton at Emmanuel Baptist Church, share a moment at the Food Pantry Pancake Breakfast on April 5. More than 75 guests enjoyed a wonderful breakfast of pancakes and bacon or sausage. We thank Jimmy for donating his staff, restaurant, and food to help the Pantry raise over $1200. Also, many thanks to the volunteers who helped make it happen.

On to F Febr to ruits uary 2 guethe P and V 5, J ben sts s antry eget ust S ble efits evera and ables ay Ye cei s. A of f l ide gave cam s fru ved a ll tho ruits as ab Pant e r it s o ala delic se at and v ut th y d a iou ten eg e e nd s d som sam ing tae re ple o recip f es. a

Did You Know...?

...that the Food Pantry benefits from CSAs (communitysupported agriculture)? A portion of the produce from Patroon Land Farm CSA is distributed to the Regional Food Banks member agencies, including our Pantry. ...that staffing the Pantry during the summer is a challenge? If you have time to give, please contact Doug Tatreau at 518-443-0460. The Pantry doors are open Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Save These Saturdays!

Pantry Moves to New Home

On February 9, the Food Pantry celebrated with an Open House to mark our move into dedicated space at Emmanuel Baptist Church. Pantry guests can now enter the Pantry directly from State Street. If you were unable to attend the open house please come by to visit us and see our new space.

To date this year, the Pantry has provided 43,833 meals to 1,233 families. Thanks to our member congregations and individual sponsors, the Pantry continues to keep its doors open to all who seek services.

50-439 is the magic number!

Thank You! to all NYS employees who chose FOCUS on their State Employees Federated Appeal, also known as SEFA. Your donations raised $2,298 for FOCUS feeding programs. Please share our mission and our SEFA number (above) with colleagues.

FOCUS Salutes 20-Year Volunteer

by Mary Jean Tedrow How long have I been a FOCUS volunteer? About 20 years. Although I've been a member of Westminster Presbyterian since 1964, I didn't get involved until my three kids (Melissa, Emily, and David) were grown. In what capacities? Breakfast, 1988-89 and 1997 to date; Executive Council, 1990-1996; Pantry Advisory Committee, 1999 to date; FOCUS on Schools 2002 to date. Why FOCUS? From the time that I first volunteered for the Breakfast Club, I felt I was actually doing something to help people who were less fortunate than I am. When FOCUS on Schools was started, I got both hands in on the action. Just seeing the youngsters faces light up when you hand them a bag full of tools for school is very rewarding. I discovered that I like hands-on mission work, so I founded WOW (aka the Westminster Outreach Workers) a few years ago. We go down to the South Mall Towers several times a year and clean apartments for some of the elderly residents, chatting with them as we work. They are most appreciative of what little we do for them. My husband, Allan, and I volunteer at the Emergency Overflow Shelter at First Lutheran, and mission work has found me in Ghana helping carry cement for the floor of a rural church and in Mississippi to help with Katrina cleanup. I feel very fortunate that I am able to put a smile on the

Do You Think That Faith Is About Asking Questions or Finding Answers?

FOCUS posed that question to the FOCUS clergy. Their answers are below. Rev. Ellen Tatreau, Emmanuel Baptist Church: I have often confessed that its people like Paul Tillich who enable me to be a person of faith in both good times and bad. It was Tillich who affirmed that the greatest realities of life are found in its ambiguities. The older I get, the more I realize that there are few things that I am willing to proclaim in absolute terms and fewer precepts that I believe in absolutely. I find greater importance for the vitality and integrity of my religious life to engage in the positing and exploration of meaningful questions that further revelation, than to get stymied by the finality of neatly stored resolutions.

Newest Staffer at FOCUS Reflects on Serving Others

Becca Leet is the newest member of the FOCUS staff and has completed a full season of food management for the FOCUS Breakfast Program. She has successfully (and goodheartedly) ordered, received, unpacked, stacked, inventoried, stocked and set up food for over 12,000 meals in a 24-week period! Guests and volunteers alike have benefited from and enjoyed Beccas role and presence all winter long. She now changes hats and puts on her gardening gloves to provide gardening resources to our pantry guests (see page 2). Following are some reflections from Becca. When Rev. Deb asked me to write a paragraph on what its like to be on FOCUS staff, I immediately got a bunch of words swirling around in my head. Number one is purposeful. We may not say it out loud, but I think we all have a subconscious feeling that what we do is important and is really helping people right at ground level. Next comes laughter. We dont seem to be able to work without it. Yikes! also comes to mind, for the days when nothing goes the way we expect it to. And my last word is joy. It truly is a joy (though not always fun!) to provide even a small service to people who cant provide it for themselves.

Rev. Jim Reisner, Westminster Presbyterian Church I offer three aphorisms and one personal story. Have patience with everything unresolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselvesDont search for the answers, live the questions. Ranier Maria Rilke There is more faith in honest doubt, believe me, than in half the creeds. Alfred Tennyson Doubts are the ants in the pants of faith. They keep it awake and moving. Frederick Buechner When I was a young seminarian about to be examined by my presbytery, I asked one of my professors, Paul Holmer, for some advice. His response was simple and memorable. He said, Dont pretend you know that much about God.

Hale and Farewell at Trinity

Trinity United Methodist has said goodbye to Rev. Dr. James Farrell, who served as interim pastor for the last eight months, and has welcomed its new Pastor, the Rev. Jeff Matthews (see photo at right). Jeff is no stranger to FOCUS, as he previously served as Minister of the Community UMC in Slingerlands for 15 years. He is excited to be back in the parish to engage the congregation, as Jeff expresses it, in a nurturing, collaborative and caring ministry. Welcome to the FOCUS family, Jeff!

Rev. Jeffrey Matthews, Trinity United Methodist Church It is inevitable that human beings will have questions about things, and since that is so, they will also find some sort of answers. The distinctive piece that faith adds to the process is giving God an active role in that curious dialogue. Faiths role might be seen as a commentary on our questions and answers: Is that a fair question? Is that a kind answer? What does love demand in this situation? Am I being truthful? Am I being a good neighbor? Does this square with what I know/ believe about God? Faith can also enable us to live with the ambiguities when neither the questions nor the answers are clear. Faith is what equips us to wait and trust when we do not or cannot know. Rev. Glenn Leupold, First Presbyterian Church Hmmm. Is faith about answers or the questions. I would have to say that in my experience, faith began with questions. Those basic questions brought answers that did two things. 1) The answers kept me in the church, rather than taking my questions elsewhere, and 2) they led to more questions. So it seems to me that a big part of faith is entering the cycle of questions and answers. Over time, I believe that we can look back and see that this cycle is not static, it is not just a spinning of a wheel in one place, getting nowhere. Rather it is an upward spiral that pulls us deeper into the mystery that is God. Faith is not so much a linear movement from point A to point B. It is more a movement of richness, depth, and peacefulness. It is anchored in a deeper knowledge of God and of ourselves.

Congratulations to
Joyce Bascom, FOCUS volunteer and member of First Presbyterian, for receiving the James and Pearl Campbell Friend of Peace and Justice Award from the Capital Area Council of Churches. Lois Wilson, FOCUS volunteer and member of Westminster Presbyterian, for receiving a Jefferson Award for outstanding public service. It is sponsored by St. Peters Health Care Services, News Channel 13, and the Times Union.

Help Send a Neighborhood Kid to Camp

Project Love is our local Boys & Girls Club summer day camp. Located on Delaware Avenue, it is open to all youth ages 5 through 13 and runs from July 10 to August 18, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Children receive breakfast, lunch, and a snack. Cost per child for a week: $60 (its still the best camp deal in town!) FOCUS provides scholarships to lowincome neighborhood children. If you would like to contribute, please make check to FOCUS, earmarked Project

Breakfast By Gods Measure:

(as contributed by our volunteers, guests and staff) Smiles, hugs, kind words, prayers lifted, tears cried, anger expressed, wounds shared, acceptance, tolerance, listening ears, words of wisdom, lots of laughter, hard work, gentle service, loud songs, safe space, trust, holy time, hospitality, food for thought, food for the soul, food for nourishment, a place to rest, compassion lived, a space to create community, justice sought, God with us, wounds healed, prejudices destroyed, hope for all, blessings, vaya con Dios. Our eternal gratitude (so far, 24 years worth!) to the members and friends of Westminster Presbyterian who chose to interpret the muddy footprints in the fellowship hall, the lingering smell of bacon stuck to your clothes, the wear and tear of the dishwasher, the mountains of cardboard and trash generated and piled up, the wellworn keys on the piano, the kilo watts and cubics of utilities used to give us light and heatas relationship building, hospitality and ministry. Thank You.

School Supplies Drive...

(continued from page 1) equipping a child for the start of school can devastate the already meager resources of families who use the Food Pantry. On the other hand, those of us who have cars and a few extra dollars can take advantage of special sales, rebates, and buy one get one free offers to provide supplies for children far less expensively than their parents can. Please bring collected supplies to the Food Pantry (275 State Street) AFTER August 1st, weekdays, 10 a.m. 1 p.m. We need volunteers in August from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the following dates: Aug. 21-22 Sorting Aug. 25-27 Making Packs Aug. 27-30 Distribution Look for sign-up sheets at your faith community or contact the FOCUS office at 443-0460 or at focuschurches@juno.com.

Middle schoolers talk with Milton, a homeless guest at the FOCUS Breakfast Program.

Ecumenical Advocacy delegates from the Capital Region prepare to visit Congressman Michael McNulty.

FOCUS Hosts Quaker Youth

Milton paused at breakfast to tell some young people from North Carolina what its like to live on the street. The seven middle school students stopped eating their pancakes and bacon to ask if Milton had talked to legislators about affordable housing and hunger. Milton, who is homeless, smiled and said people who come to the FOCUS Winter Breakfast Program for the free breakfast three times a week were stuck in poverty. He said most of them wanted to work but couldnt because they have a criminal record or no address. That lesson went beyond anything discussed in a classroom, which is exactly why the students came to Albany. The seven middle schoolers and their leaders are from the Arthur Morgan School in Celo, North Carolina. They left behind their Quaker boarding school to witness hunger and homelessness in a few northeastern cities. While in Albany, they participated in the FOCUS breakfast program, a legislative action day, and the FOCUS Interfaith Food Pantry. Thanks to First Presbyterian for providing them shelter.
FOCUS on FOCUS is a publication of the FOCUS Churches of Albany, Inc. Rev. Debra Jameson, Editor. Graphic design and production by EHL Editorial Services, Albany NY. The FOCUS Churches of Albany, Inc. is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 membership organization including Emmanuel Baptist Church, First Presbyterian Church, First Israel AME Church, Metropolitan Community Church of the Hudson Valley, Trinity United Methodist Church, and Westminster Presbyterian Church. Affiliates of the FOCUS Interfaith Food Pantry Program are Congregation Beth Emeth, First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany, New Covenant Presbyterian Church, and St. Andrews Episcopal Church. The FOCUS office is located at 275 State St., Albany NY 12210. Phone: 518-443-0460 FAX: 518-443-0461 Email: focuschurches@juno.com

Advocacy Days Promote Political Action

The 2008 Ecumenical Advocacy Days, held in Virginia and Washington DC, explored new visions of security in our homes, our neighborhoods, and our world. The 800 participants were challenged to move beyond the misdirected strategies of the past few years and envision a new pathway to true human security one that seeks not only the absence of tension but also the presence of justice. The conference concluded with lobbying visits to New York States Congressional representatives. Next years event is March 13-16. FOCUS would like to have a contingent attend and will be raising money to provide partial scholarships. For more information visit: www.advocacydays.org

FOCUS Programs Draw Contributions from Many Sources

Rev. Deb Jameson (r.) thanks Breakfast Program volunteers at an end-of-the-season dinner on April 24. Contributions to FOCUS from February to June 6, 2008, include: Supporters: Rita Abrams, Luise Ahlers, Bien and Joe Baez, Viola Bartoszek, Nina Baumbach, Laurie Bebewyck, Richard and Peggy Becker, Kate Birdsall, Senator Neil Breslin, Stacy and Paul Brodfuehrer, Carol Bullard, Nancy Burton, Dorinda Campano, Pat Campbell, Elaine Clawson, Kathleen Coleman, Congregation Beth Emeth, Delmar Reformed Church, Delmar United Methodist, Priscilla Crago, Richard and Dawn Dana, James Edgar, Emmanuel Baptist, First Presbyterian, First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany, Lawrence Gambino, GE Matching Foundation, AW Gilbert, Randy and Kathy Goldberg, Rose Gonzalez, E. Joyce Gould, Lucille Heidelmark, George Heidenstrom, L. Lee Helsby, Israel AME, George Kleinberger and Maria Joiner, Jim and Mary Kalas, Capital Area Baptist Association, Lawrie Lierheimer, Barbara and Charles Manning, Pavlos Mayakis, MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger, Lorna McCartan, David and Elizabeth McMillan, Tom McPheeters, Peter Meixner, Shirley Mosher, Julie Munroe, Shirley and Rudy Nelson, New Covenant Presbyterian, Pam and Him OBryan, Dr. Robert Pennock, Sylvia Pirani, Ursala Poland, William Randall, Margaret and Paul Randall, Matthew Reilly, Betsy Rock, Nancy and John Rodgers, Peter Rupert, Colleen Ryan, Robert and Pamela Selover, Abraham and Mona Selover, Geraldine Shanley, Valerie W. Shanley, Sandra Shapard, Irving and Diane Smith, St. Andrews Episcopal, Robert and Linda Stevens, Allan and Mary Jean Tedrow, Barbara Teter, Trinity United Methodist, Robert and Lois Thomson, Adine Viscusi, Senator Dale M. Volker, Alice Wehr, Westminster Presbyterian, Kenneth and Margaret Wieland, Stacy and Dorothy Wilburn, Lois Wilson, Gloria Wood, and Mark and Pola Yolles. In Memory of: my sister Velma S. Elliot by Mattie S. Blassengale; Dr. Grace T. Green by Dr. Elmer Green; Jack Knighton and Wilson Campbell by Rich and Jane Guralnick; Brenda Biggs by Ray and Katherine Henrikson, Ruth L. Tatreau by Gail and Sam Hill, Deb Jameson, and Edie Simpson; Janet Franklin by Nancy Horan; Dorothy Conklin by Wilma Jenssen; James Askew by Ian and Edith Leet; Janet and Libbis Rally by James and Margaret Miller; Margaret B. Moore by Stanley J. Moore; H. Craig Sipe by Elizabeth Sipe; Jimmy (continued on page 8)

Breakfast by the Numbers:

Open October 30, 2007 April 10, 2008 Sausage Savored: 572 pounds Eggs Eaten: 700 dozen (8,500) Milk Swallowed: 242 gallons Sugar Enjoyed (white and brown): 572 pounds Meals Served: 12,839 Volunteers Involved: 60+ Volunteer Hours:

WE NEED YOUR HELP

The FOCUS Interfaith Food Pantry provides a four-day supply of groceries to an average of 250 families each month.

We need your contributions to sustain the Food Pantry. Please help us by giving:
___ $5 to provide a four-day supply of fresh produce for a family of 4 ___ $ Other (please specify if you are donating to a particular program) ___ In honor of/in memory of (circle one) ______________________________ ___ I would like information about programs and volunteer opportunities. Name _______________________________________________________________________________ Address _____________________________________________________________________________ Phone _____________________________ E-mail__________________________________________

Please return to: FOCUS, 275 State Street, Albany NY 12210 Gifts to FOCUS...
(continued from page 7) Yanus by St. Patricks Soup Kitchen Staff and Guests; Frances M. King by Pat Wilcox; and Crucita Del Pilar by Lucy Wong. In Honor of: Lee Helsby by Keith Barber; Geneva Longmy Mom, age 101by Virginia Hayes; Janet and Art Hengerer by Robert and Marion Lamar, FOCUS Breakfast Volunteers by Kathy Linhardt; Debra Jameson by Audrey Michel; Bruce and Cenzi Brynolfson by Marilyn and Phillip Riddle, Grateful for: abundance to share by Keith Barber; being able to help! by Jacqueline Lasonde; community at First U.U. Society of Albany by Andrea Ricard; being able to help by Alice Schrade; all you and FOCUS do to help those in need by Ned and Patricia Tradeau; FOCUS by Glenn and Eileen Van Oort; Deb Jameson by Marion Wolff. Celebrating: Charles and Ruth Esteys 65th wedding anniversary July 18, 1942; Fran and Bob Kamps 50th Wedding Anniversary by Robert Blair; Jack and Mary Brennan; Betty Clifton; Tillie Collier; The Coulter Family, John, Linda, Alison and Glenda; Laurel and Martin Edwards; Anna Goodhart; Mr. and Mrs. Willard Goodwin; Mary Ellen Hall; Sherry and Dick Hall; Dean and Joy Harding; L. Lee Helsby; Patricia Johnson; Hiram and Nancy Johnson; Barbara, John & Kimberly Hiss; David Hiss; Marialyce and Fred Hiss; Jacqueline & John House; Larry and Barbara Howe; Deb Jameson and Lorelei Heidenstrom; Eric and Priscilla Johnson; Karen, Tom, and Isabelle Kamp; Patricia Lanphear; Miriam & Glenn Leupold; Don and Judy Mark; Margaret McGuire; Marion Murphy; John and Joan O'Mara; Barbara Post; Dorothy Rice; Sue and Peter Roos; Beverly Saunders; Dorothy Schmuck; Jane Springer; Robert and Linda Stevens; Jane Suarez Wright; Mr. and Mrs. Merlin Wagner; Douglas Wright.

FOCUS on FOCUS 275 State Street Albany, NY 12210