Outreach

With a mission focused on generosity and compassion, our church community lends its time, talents, and resources to a variety of missions.

First Congregational works actively with the South End Community Outreach Center on programs to improve the quality of life for those living in Albany’s South End. Our ongoing “Coat Drive” has helped thousands of residents keep warm during the cold winter months while our weekly “white goods” donations have provided residents with toiletries not covered by public assistance. Our “Adopt a Community” program and "Mitten Tree" continue to provide glad tidings for all at Christmas, and our "Run Back to Church" initiative has helped dozens of children remain active and vital in our city.

Other missions we support include:

NNORC (Neighborhood Naturally Occurring Retirement Community) • The South End Community Outreach Center • Capital District Latinos • Adult Children of Alcoholics • Alan Kerr Medical Mission (Dominican Republic) • Capital Area Council of Churches • Capital City Rescue Mission • Capital Region Theological Center • Church World Service • CROP Walk •Capital Region Food Pantries • Habitat for Humanity • Interfaith Partnership for the Homeless • Mercy House • Our Church's Wider Mission • Protestant Campus Ministry at SUNY • Souper Bowl Sunday • Support Ministries for Persons Living with HIV/AIDS • Northeast Regional Food Bank • STRIDE

Our Partner Churches

First Congregational Church believes in partnership and fellowship with other churches in our community. Significant partnerships include First Israel AME Church as well as our fellow churches in the United Church of Christ (UCC) and the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches (NACCC). Click each image below to learn how our church partnerships are helping to achieve our mission.

A History of Social Justice

Throughout its history, the Congregational denomination and members of First Congregational Church have responded to situations of injustice, human suffering, and need through works of justice and mercy. We have advocated, organized, and provided ministry in response to human rights abuses, oppression, injustice, and discrimination on a local, national, and global level:

Civil Rights

First Congregational Church believes in being a multiracial and multicultural church, accessible to all, in which all people can feel at home. The Congregational denomination has historically been an active participant in the civil rights movement, affirming the ministry of gay and lesbian people and establishing itself as an "open and affirming" denomination. After the Civil War, the Congregational Church also founded the American Missionary Association to establish large numbers of African American and Native American schools and churches.

Health Care

First Congregational Church has continued a tradition of caring for the sick and promoting wellness through programs including those to prevent and combat AIDS, HIV, substance abuse, and domestic violence.

Prison Ministry

First Congregational Church partners with other churches in providing ministries to prisoners. In addition to visitation and fellowship, we've partnered to provide educational opportunities, and help recently released prisoners adjust to their new situation. One historic case of this ministry is exemplified by the Congregational Church’s support of the Mende (African) people imprisoned after rising up on board the slave ship, Amistad in 1838.