These words compose the theme for the Council 2008 Legislative Day, which aims to highlight the connection between decisions made in the 2008 budget and services for the state’s vulnerable people. It is based on the premise that decisionmakers in Albany need to hear about the lives of those that are served by soup kitchens, homeless shelters and other services run by congregations. They need to hear about those struggling to get by, and how the decisions they make about taxing and spending affect these lives.

As the economy has sunk deeper into recession, gasoline prices have skyrocketed and grocery prices have inched up the Council is proposing an experiment in how people can participate without having to travel. Legislative Day 2008 will have two ways to participate:

ONE -- A day in Albany which will be structured much like other years:

• 10:00 Sign-in/bagels/coffee at Westminster Presbyterian Church
• 10:15-12:00 Briefings and Q&A
• 12:15 Lunch
• 1:00 Visits with Committee Chair

TWO -- Those finding it more and more of a hardship to travel to Albany will have the opportunity to be part of something new. They will be able to participate, individually or in groups, in briefings via a computer. In addition to downloadable written materials, audio of the briefing will be posted on the Council website. While those in Albany make visits with chairs of appropriate committees, those in other parts of the state will be provided with information and a script to call the offices on the same issues during the week of the briefing. Calls and visits on the same issues will have an impact on legislation.

The issues and briefers will be:

How taxes relate to dealing with poverty and other needs
Ron Deutsch, Executive Director, New Yorkers for Fiscal Fairness

What human needs are being neglected
Anne Erickson, Executive Director, Empire Justice Center

When the imprisoned are released
Rima Vesely-Flad, Founder, Interfaith Coalition of Advocates for Reentry and Employment (ICARE)

To make both on-site and electronic arrangements, the Council needs to know who will be participating – and whether in person or from another location. This can be done by mail, fax or email:

18 Computer Drive West, Suite 107, Albany, NY 12205
Fax: 518-427-6705  Email: nyscoc@nycap.rr.com  or nyscoc@aol.com

For those not familiar with Capitol Hill, the Senate Office Buildings line Constitution Avenue on one side of the Capitol, while House Office Buildings line Independence Avenue on the other side. Spanning the distance between the two on the east side of the Capitol is First Street, where the Library of Congress, the Supreme Court and the Methodist Building are located.

The busyness of Capitol Hill was evident as legislators scurried from committee meetings to floor votes and to their offices to keep appointments. Walking through the halls of House and Senate Office Buildings, everyone was glad for the maps by the elevators on each floor – and that many of New York’s House Members were in the same building. When legislators were unable to meet with one of the issue teams personally, the teams met with legislative aides who were knowledgeable about the issue. Some remembered Council visits from years past.

The first afternoon and the next morning were spent with updates on the issues. Briefings were held in the NCC Conference Room in the Methodist Building on the following issues:

• Immigration: Jen Smyers, Church World Service
• Iran/Iraq: Jim Fine, Friends Committee on National Legislation
• Budget/Poverty and Environment: Leslie Woods, Presbyterian Church USA
• Civil/Human Rights: Hilary Shelton, NAACP

Staff of the United Methodist Board of Church in Society helped identify briefers, and the ELCA Washington Office again acted as host for the event.

Along with the usual appreciation expressed by members of Congress for the visits, they more and more spoke of how much it meant that we are aware of and support them in their work. Some concrete effects of our visits are:

• One staff person pointed out that they used our palm cards for committee work.
• We were able to put a member of congress in touch with CWS regarding his idea for immigration reform.
• One Chief of Staff was so interested in our work on higher education in prisons that he asked for follow-up information.

The group also delivered letters to members of the delegation who had signed onto an immigration bill that would criminalize church ministries if they happened to help undocumented immigrants.

You Can Help the Invisible Church!

Many of you may be interested in getting involved with prison ministry. You may at least be looking for ways to help. One way came to Council’s attention this past month. The chaplain at Eastern Correctional Facility wrote saying, "The chapel building designated at Eastern for religious services has a most acute need to be refurbished in order to make the worship a sacrosanct experience..." for the 125 attendees at weekly services.

Following is a list of items that will enrich the worship experience of these inmates.

• a Pulpit Altar or Communion Table
• pulpit chairs (a center chair and two side chairs)
• pews to accommodate 135 people
• Christian Religious Art or stained glass windows
• dining tables
• a free standing tithe box
• a full pedestal lectern
• liturgical seasonal banners (green, purple, white and red), altar cloths and Sacramental linens.

Perhaps you congregation has some of the items left from when you remodeled, or have extras you are not using and would like to have used for by someone who needs the item for worship. If so, please contact Chaplain Smith at (845) 647-4865 extension 4815 to make arrangements.

In Memorium

Margaret M. Stinson died February 12, 2008. She was active with the New York State Council of Churches for many years and is remembered especially for her tireless efforts against the death penalty, for alternatives to incarceration, and other criminal justice concerns. She also promoted women’s rights and advocated for peace. She was active with the New York State Coalition for Criminal Justice, People Against the Death Penalty and the Task Force for a Safer Society. The Task Force led to the formation of the Safer Society Foundation and Press, a nationally known resource on sexual abuse. A memorial service was held on March 1 at the United Church of Fayetteville. Donations may be made to Matilda Joslyn Gage Foundation, PO Box 192, Fayetteville, NY 13066

Changes in Leadership

Collegium

Bishop Violet Fisher, retiring as Bishop of New York West Area of the United Methodist Church

Ernie Buscemi, new Clerk of the New York Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends

The Rev. Stuart Buisch, representing the Presbytery of Western New York

The Rev. Martha Z. Miller, representing the Presbytery of Utica

The Rev. James Poinsett, representing the Presbytery of Hudson River

Ed Sproul (ELCA), retiring as Chair of the Finance Committee after 10 years of service

Eileen Dearborn (UCC), new Chair of the Finance Committee

Bob Trost (UMC), new Chair of the Personnel Committee