Looking Ahead

AUGUST 18-21
School Supply Drop Off
FUUSA, 9-12PM, pg. 5

AUGUST 26-27
Prep Days @ FUUSA
10-12PM. Vltrs. needed, pg. 5

AUGUST 27-29
Distribution Days @ FUUSA
10-1PM. Vltrs. needed, pg. 5

AUGUST 31
FOCUS Sunday at
Westminster Presbyterian
85 Chestnut St., Albany.
10AM.

SEPTEMBER 16-17
Faith for a Fair NY Retreat
pg. 5

OCTOBER 285:30 pm
Save the date for volunteer
orientation and dinner.
8
In FOCUS
275 State Street
Albany, NY 12210

WeNeedYourHelp
Your contributions make a positive difference in the
lives of our hungry neighbors.


The FOCUS Interfaith Food Pantry is now providing a 6-day supply of
groceries to an average of 375 families each month.
The FOCUS Breakfast Express Program is serving more than 40-50
people each day during the summer, providing breakfast & a bag
lunch.
Please help us by giving:
_____ $ amount
_____ $ amount In honor of/in memory of (circle one) __________________________
_____ Please send me informaton about volunteering in FOCUS programs.

Name _____________________________________ Phone _________________________________
Address ___________________________________ E-mail _________________________________
Please return to: FOCUS, 275 State Street, Albany NY 12210
FOCUS
FOCUS is the collaboraton of seven
covenantng churches, joined by
fve faith afliates, who are united
in a common calling to serve
neighbors' needs in Albanys Capitol
Hill and beyond as Gods servant
people in a broken and hurtng
world.
Executve Council Provides Vision
newPresidentNancyHoran

Editors Note: Nancy Horan was
elected to serve as the President of the
FOCUS Executive Council in February
of this year. Among other presidential
responsibilities Nancy facilitates board
conversations around the vision and
mission of our common call as disciples
of Jesus. Nancy spends her days at the
NYS Library as a Senior Librarian.
Nancy shares with us some thoughts
on her life experiences with FOCUS.
Deb Jameson (DLJ)

DLJ: Nancy you have been a long-time
FOCUS participant and advocate.
What has kept you connected?

NH: I have been engaged in FOCUS
activities for over 30 years, serving on
the Executive Council from Emmanuel
Baptist Church, volunteering at the
winter Breakfast Program, joining in
book studies, and attending joint wor-
ship services. Recently I have in-
creased my participation in our advo-
cacy efforts, feeling the need to do
more than direct service. All this in-
volvement, with its challenges, excites
and energizes me, and provides me
with opportunities to live out my faith
in community and in solidarity with
others who share my vision.

DLJ: FOCUS has been described as a
hybrid ministry, reinventing itself
according to perceived need and re-
sources available; partnering with
many various faith traditions. Is that
your sense?

NH: Throughout these many years, I
have seen FO-
CUS evolve as
the needs of the
community we
serve change,
and as new peo-
ple and ideas
stimulate us to
move in differ-
ent directions.
But our core
mission re-
mains the same, doing together what
we cannot do alone. We are united in
a common calling to respond to our
neighbors needs in the city of Albany
and beyond, as Gods servant people in
a broken and hurting world.

DLJ: What is FOCUS up to today?

There are a number of recent develop-
ments which I would like to highlight.
We have expanded FOCUS with new
covenant churches. Just this year,
First Church in Albany joined in our
mission. FOCUS has seen an infusion
of ideas and enhanced participation in
the various programs. At Executive
Council meetings we now dedicate
some time to share what is happening
in our individual faith communities
and each year the council sets aside
time for a retreat, an opportunity for
reflection, sharing, community build-
ing and planning. In the feeding pro-
grams, there has been an emphasis on
healthy foods, with the community
garden, gardening in a bucket, and
more fresh foods at the pantry and
breakfast. Contd on back page

Vol. 8, No. 2 Summer 2014
Continued from front page In the past few
years, we have stepped up our advocacy efforts.
Members of FOCUS have participated in actions
at the Capitol relating to minimum wage and
hunger issues and attended Ecumenical Advocacy
Days in Washington. We have hosted local politi-
cians at the Breakfast Program and been a part of
the Faith and Hunger Network gathering, joining
other communities of faith and organizations. In
these ways, we are living out our covenant to
speak the truth in places of power on behalf of
the powerless.
We continue our life in community through joint
worship and other opportunities for sharing and
learning. Recently First Church sponsored a
well-attended and well-received workshop on
non-violent communication.
DLJ: What do you see as some of the adventures
ahead for FOCUS?
Of course there are challenges, in particular the
increasing needs of those we serve as reflected in
the numbers of guests we see at breakfast and the
pantry. Securing adequate funding for our pro-
grams requires diligence and effort. Advocacy can
be difficult work. It is easy to get discouraged and
wonder if we are making a difference. And finally,
with the widening of our covenant circle, we need
to find ways to feel connected and in community.
As we continue our journey together, I invite you
to join me, in spirit and prayer, and in whatever
way you are able and feel called. God is indeed at
work among us.
Worship

End of Summer:
August 31, 2014
Westminster Presbyterian
10am

Till were together again:
February 1, 2015
2 7
Gardening in a Bucket (GIAB), a seasonal project
of FOCUS, has wound down after another
successful season. Pantry guests brought home
container gardens which included pots, soil, seed-
lings, and expert advice on how to grow tomatoes,
green peppers, and cabbage. The Pantry also gave
out more than 100 seed packets. Many of the
guests had gardened before but now had no space
for a traditional garden. They were enthusiastic
about container gardening and many took home
multiple pots as well as seedlings. Over 80 house-
holds participated in Gardening in a Bucket this
year.


Gardening in a Bucket for Kids is another facet of
the Gardening in a Bucket project. It is a combi-
nation art/gardening event. Children receive pots,
which they can decorate any way they like, and
then plant cherry tomato seedlings in them. The
children are reminded of the things plants need to
grow: soil, sun, and water. GIAB for Kids went
On The Road, taking the project to a local fami-
ly homeless shelter where the families housing
situation was uncertain. In addition to the
children living at the shelter, FOCUS brought the
project to two free summer day camps for
Above: A snapshot from the Gardening in a Bucket project this
summer at Israel AMEs GWU Center, Washington Ave., Albany.
underprivileged children. These children come
from low-income urban families, some of whom
may also be at risk for losing their housing. In all,
52 children participated in the project this year.
They had a great time, and we did too!
FOOD EMPOWERMENT
Youth Learn to Grow Their Own Veggies through
GardeningInABucket

Becca Leet Join the FOCUS Photo Petition! After each Summer
Worship service, FOCUS will be standing by, offering you
the opportunity to add your voice to the 2014 photo petition
to protect vital child nutrition programs. Hold one of our
signs or make your own.

I Stand to
End Child
Hunger!
Advocacy Spotlight
Above: Revs. Valerie Faust and Frances W. Rosenau speak at a
NY for All of Us press conference to raise the wage in New York.
Above: FOCUS and Bread for the World meet Sen. Chuck
Schumers staff in Washington, D.C.
Below: The Rev. Kathy Donley rallies to raise the minimum
wage.
3
MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger
James and Carol Ackerman
Reszin Adams
Adirondack Beverages
Nick and Jeanne Alesandro
Jane and George Allen,
In Memory of Lisa Walker
Rich Angelo, In Memory of Lisa Walker
Michael and Toni Asbury,
In Honor of the Entire Family of God
Bien and Joe Baez
Donna Baker
Susan and Floyd Barwig
Richard and Peggy Becker, Grateful for the
great work of the FOCUS Program
Helen and Frank Benoit
Elizabeth Berberian
Christin Bloecker
Joan K. Bobier
Eileen Bossard
Diane and John Bossung
Mrs. Barbara Bradley
Leslie Bristol
Martha and Peter Brown
Carol Bullard, In Honor of parents,
Ruth & Kenneth Fairfax
Patty M. Burch
Dominick M. Calsolaro
Ella Campbell
Steven Carlson
Claire Carroll, All Saints Catholic
Church-Angels to Each Other,
In Memory of our deceased angels
Lois and Patrick Caulfield
Elaine Clawson
Hon. Richard Conti
Janet Cornell
Dr. and Mrs. Robert Correia,
In Honor of Meghan Aberle
Susan and James Cox
Priscilla Crago
Julia Creighton,
In Honor of Rev. Robert Lamer
Richard and Dawn Dana
Gerard Deighan
Delmar Reformed Church
Betty Devine
Arden and Marilyn Dockter
Kevin Dulin
Frederick Eames
Susan Easton
Irene Econome
James Edgar
Millicent Edison
Emmanuel Baptist Church
Verna Engstrom-Heg
Katherine Enockson
Deb Fagans
Feinstein Family Fund
First Church Albany
First Presbyterian Church, Albany
Robin Forshaw
Cheryl Foy
Marjory Fuller
First Unitarian Universalist Society
Lawrence Gambino
Janet Gelzheiser,
In Memory of Francis L Gelzheiser
Shirley Gibbons
Gary David Gold
Lois Griffin
Elizabeth and Kenneth Halvorsen
Hannay Reels
Lee Helsby
E.A. and D.G. Henningson, In Memory
of Art and Mary Henningson
Ray and Katie Henrickson
Kathleen Hodges
Joyce Holly
Nancy Horan , In Memory of Ken Graham
Glenn and Donna Humphreys
Pat and Bob Hunziker
Islamic Center of the Capital Region
E. Louise Jameson
Deb Jameson , In Memory of the Rev.
Christine Wickman
Wilma Jenssen, Celebrating and grateful
for great grandchildren
Dolores Johnson
Annette Johnson
Jim and Mary Kalas
Fran Kamp
Karen Kaufmann
Carole and Rit Keith
Virginia King
John B. Kinum
Dawn and John Knutson
Cindy Smul-Kukla and John Kukla
Alison Kurtessis
Tom and Barbara Lahut
Cheryl Lasher
Pat Lavin
Joseph Lemmond
Tara Lindsley and Charles Kite
Roseann Lohrey
Tony and Marilyn Malone
Julie and David Martin
Jeffrey Matthews
Linda Mayou
Jan McCracken
Tom McPheeters
Peter and Donna Meixner
Ellen Messina
James and Margaret Miller,
In Memory of Irving Smith Sr.
Esther Moore
David and Martha Musser
Rebecca & Russ Myer
Shirley and Rudy Nelson
Kathleen and Peter Ordway
Nancy Ost
Richard and Margaret Otty
John and Marilyn Paarlberg
First Church in Albany
Leslie Phelan
Nancy Pierson
Harvey and Iteke Prins
Dennis Radliff
Margaret and Paul Randall
Kathy Ravida, In Honor Of Her Parents
Robert and Linda Rennie,
Grateful for Everything
Andrea Ricard
Mrs. Clayton E. Rose
Ruth Russell
Colleen Ryan
St. Andrew's Episcopal Church
Peter C. Sarinelli
Peter and Nancy Schiff
Alice Schrade
Mary P & Keith Scott
Harriet Seeley
Abraham and Mona Selover
Geraldine L. Shanley, In Memory of Faith
Catallo, FP Director, Grace Episcopal
Church, Waterford, NY
Peter B. Shawhan
Sheryl Sheraw
Edie Simpson
Carolyn Smith, Grateful for Deb
Susan Sneeringer,
In Memory of Janet Hengerer
Elaine and Walter Spoor
Linda and Robert Stevens,
In Memory of Robert Kamp
Rebecca Syltebo
Allan and Mary Jean Tedrow
Robert and Lois Thomson
Beth Tilley
Trinity United Methodist Church
Ned & Patricia Trudeau, Celebrating 35
years together as a couple in FOCUS
Samuel A. Trumbore
Lora Wesner
Arlen Westbrook
Westminster Presbyterian Church
Robert and Leslie Westphal
Mary and John White,
In honor of Mary E. Robinson
Patricia A. Wilcox
Betty Williams, In Memory of My Sister
Albertha Mackey, First Israel AME
Lois Wilson
Lucy Wong
Gloria and David Wood
Sheila Wrede
Margaret Zettle
Gifs to FOCUS Programs Contributons Made from February 2014 July 15, 2014
6

InFOCUSis a publicaton of the FOCUS Churches of Albany, Inc. Rev. Debra

Jameson, Editor. FOCUS Churches of Albany, Inc. is a not-for-proft 501(c)3
organizaton covenantng with Delmar Reformed, Emmanuel Baptst, First
Church (Reformed), First Presbyterian, First Israel AME, Trinity United
Methodist, and Westminster Presbyterian. FOCUS Interfaith Pantry Afli-
ates are Congregaton Beth Emeth, First Lutheran, First Unitarian Universal-
ist Society of Albany, Islamic Center of the Capital District, New Covenant
Presbyterian, and St. Andrews Episcopal.

The FOCUS ofce: 275 State St., Albany NY 12210
Phone: 518-443-0460 FAX: 518-443-0461
Email: info@focuschurches.net www.focuschurches.net
Honored for Reaching Our Neighbors
FOCUS was represented by Rev. Jeff Matthews
and Rev. Deb Jameson as members of United
Methodist Conference agencies and church teams
that had received a grant last fall to start minis-
tries with the poor. The Reaching Our Neighbors
Mission Oversight Team met with grantees at
their office in Syracuse for a time to connect and
celebrate their work. The group met with Bishop
Mark J. Webb, Director of Connectional Ministries
the Rev. Bill Gottschalk-Fielding, and Reaching
Our Neighbors Mission Oversight Team member
the Rev. Robert Sherburne.
Every year for the last 17 years the Feinstein
Foundation has divided 1 million dollars among
non profits nationwide working to end hunger.
They do it as incentive to give in order to
help organizations raise funds during March and
April. Contributions to FOCUS food programs
included: 373 canned goods, $7,000 from faith
communities and $4,456 from individuals. Thank
you to all for the needed support. Later this sum-
mer we will receive news from the foundation
Alan Shawn Feinstein
about our share
of the 1 million
do l l ar pi e
(previous years
averaged $280.)

Alan Shawn
F e i n s t e i n ,
founder of the
Feinstein Foun-
dation, is a nationally known philanthropist and
humanitarian. He has made an indelible impact
on American education and public service that
has spread throughout the country.
The 2014 Feinstein
Challenge
Faithful Partners
FOCUS is pleased to announce the 11
th
year of
funding from MAZON: A Jewish Response to
Hunger. President and CEO, Abby J. Leibman
wrote to us:
MAZON is
e x t r e me l y
proud to
stand beside
you as you
c o n t i n u e
your critical
a d v o c a c y
work on be-
half of peo-
ple in need.
MAZONs support this year has enabled us to
staff a half-time position for advocacy. MAZON is
a national nonprofit organization working to end
hunger among people of all faiths and back-
grounds in the United States and Israel.
Statewide grantees meet & celebrate in Syracuse, NY.
worked tasks they
usually do not do.
It was managed so
smoothly that I just
approved what they
organized. Remem-
ber, until Tax Sea-
son ended, I volun-
teered two days a
week in the AARP
tax prep program so those days I wasnt available
to appear in the FOCUS office.

When friends ask about FOCUS I usually tell
them that it is an ecumenical organization doing
a shared service ministry. I then add that it is
the only ecumenical group Ive seen that does not
talk about what we believe and what you
believe. We just share important work and
ministry together.
5 4
Ponderings with Rev. Keith Scot
Rev. Keith Scott
Rev. Debra Jameson has asked me to write about
my three months as the Temporary part-time In-
terim Director. That title is my own choice, in-
vented in the first week, when some breakfast
guests wondered why I was in the dining room
and not washing dishes. One asked, with a grin, if
Id been fired from dishwashing.

As the usual Tuesday dishwasher, I understood
our shared ministry. After all, everybody talks to
the dishwasher and 98% of our guests thank us
for what we provide. When I moved from the dish
department, I immediately got a much larger
view of our ministry. Our Pastors in the winter
breakfast program, Victor and Mike, have demon-
strated the real benefit of providing pastoral care
for both guests and staff. Personal conversation
with a caring friend is crucial for everyone in a
moment of crisis. And, I learned from many
guests how important our resource tables are in
providing connections to other social service
groups.

We all are simply responding to the needs of our
poorest friends and neighbors with food, compan-
ionship in safe situations, and public advocacy on
their behalf. I see all this as response to Jesus
command to love our neighbors as ourselves. To-
gether we share an important work.

I have two examples of how that happens.: One
day the chief cook returned from vacation with a
very painful back, acquired on the trip by carry-
ing too much luggage too far. He discovered he
could not stand safely at the stove and needed to
leave. The second cook took over cooking, some-
one else in the kitchen replaced the second cook
and our standard kitchen routine continued.
With very little conversation the entire problem
was immediately solved.

At different times, two staff members each spent
an unexpected week in hospitals. Our organiza-
tion is tightly staffed, without the layers of back-
up found in larger enterprises. It required phone
calls to arrange coverage for program activities;
some staff chose to manage two responsibilities at
the same time. Part time staff and volunteers
FOCUS on School Supplies is now under way,
with sorting and distribution of supplies slated
for late August! 250+ students received full
backpacks of grade-appropriate supplies last
year, and boxes of surplus supplies went to
Albany City School District programs.

If your congregation is collecting supplies: They
may be taken directly to the First Unitarian
Universalist Society at 405 Washington Ave.,
(glass-doors entrance) from Monday., Aug. 18th -
Thursday, Aug. 21st, 9 a.m.Noon.

Volunteers needed (must be signed up ahead of
time) in August to sort supplies, fill backpacks,
& distribute packs to the children. To volunteer,
call (443-0460) or e-mail Becca Leet
(beccal@focuschurches.net). All volunteer activi-
ty will take place at FUUSA. Volunteer dates
and details here:






Donatons Both supplies and monetary contri-
butions are needed to equip children adequately
for the start of the school year. Contributions
should be marked FOCUS School Supplies and
sent to FOCUS: 275 State Street, Albany 12210.
Gear Up for School
Preparaton Days
Tue., August 26
Wed., August 27
from10amto12noon
School Supplies Needed:
No. 2 pencils (sharpened
if possible)
Pencil sharpeners
Pencil pouches
Pencil boxes, plastc
2 pink erasers
Pens blue or black ink
Crayons box of 24
Colored markers
Colored pencils
Dry-erase markers
Yellow highlighters
Glue stcks & Glue botles
School scissors
* 1-subject spiral note-
books wide-ruled and
college-ruled
Hard-cover 3-ring
binders, 1 or 1
Notebook paper,
wide-ruled
Notebook paper ,
college-ruled
Marble compositon
books wide-ruled
and college-ruled
12 Rulers
Pocket folders
3 Stcky-back notes
Backpacks
Calculators

* = Items
especially
needed.
Distributon Days
Wed., August 27
Thu., August 28
Fri., August 29
from10amto1pm
At FOCUS Breakfast Express Advocates Meet: left to right: County
Legislator Christopher Higgins, Beth Glassanos, Emily McNeill, Nancy
Horan and Albany County Executive Daniel McCoy.
Faith for a Fair New York Retreat
Tue., Sept. 16th at 11 AMWed., Sept. 17th at 2 PM
Dominican Retreat Center 1945 Union St. Niskayuna, NY
Join with clergy, faith leaders, and congregants of many faiths
& denominations to tackle issues of social and economic justice in NY
State. Workshop topics include: Moral Budgeting, Low-Wage Worker
campaigns, Immigration Reform and NYS Dream Act, Single-payer
Healthcare, Prison Reform, and more.
FOCUS scholarships available! Call Beth at 443-0460, bethg@focuschurches.net.
Register (call Emily McNeill: 646-256-5727 /email emcneill@labor-religion.org).
More infowww.labor-religion.org
At First Church Food Pantry: first row: Hannah Dorn, Pantry Manager
Lorraine Houk, 2nd row: Gertrude Dorn, Jane Ward, Joyce Recine, Joeanna
Brown, Emily Bianchine 3rd row: First Church staff Noel Concepcion.