This Thursday, September 11th is the 13th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the United States. We will recall the tragic events of 9-11-01 with a prayer service that evening at 7pm. These terrorist acts, and events more recently experienced, were and are inspired by a warped sense of religion. Because faith can be manipulated in evil and destructive ways, it is so important that we pray to God for the virtue of Brotherly Love. All are welcome.
Pray the week: Lord Jesus, grant us a spirit of responsibility. Help us to guide those who fall in a spirit of love.
Do I have to be
responsible?
Jesus said to his disciples: “Again, amen, I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything for which they are to pray, it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.â€
There is a very close parallel between today’s Old Testament reading, Epistle, and Gospel. They all speak of a set of inter-related obligations we have as members of the Church. It is our call and obligation to be responsible for our brothers and sisters, to hold them accountable, and to do all of this in the spirit of love.
This call and obligation originate in our baptism. In baptism we are regenerated and made members of the Holy Church, the Body of Christ here on earth. As members and parts of the Body, we are responsible for taking care of the rest of the Body. As St. Paul tells us: But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.
This responsibility extends to taking care of the parts of the Body that are sick – not just those who are physically or emotionally ill, but also those who are spiritually ill. This is one of the very hardest things to do, to encounter a Christian suffering in sin and to discuss it with them, to call them back to truth and faithfulness.
How hard is it to visit a sick person? That can make us feel uncomfortable. It reminds us of our human frailty. So much more is there fear in confronting a sinner. Not only is it uncomfortable, it reminds us that we sin and fall; that one day we too may be visited by someone who will call us back to faithfulness.
We must work diligently and pray for the courage to reach out to those who persist in sin, who have fallen away, or who bring division to the Body. This is an obligation of love. When we take up our responsibility we must be very careful so that it does not turn to judgmentalism or arrogance. As St. Paul notes: Love does no evil to the neighbor.
As we pray, we are given the grace and courage to lovingly call to the sick members of the Body to do what is right and to return. We are reassured that just as we act on our responsibility in a faithful manner, others will act responsibly toward us and bring us back when we fall ill with sin.
As we strive to live out our responsibilities, Jesus assures us that He remains with us. This gives us the confidence needed to take the track of loving responsibility.
Almighty and everlasting God, by Whose Spirit the whole body of the Church is governed and sanctified, receive our supplications and prayers, which we offer before Thee for all estates of men and women who labor and seek justice for workers, that each in their vocation, ministry, and labor may truly and godly serve our society to Thy greater glory and his own sanctification and salvation. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Pray the week: Lord Jesus, bless he work of our hands. Grant justice to all workers! Grant that we may labor solely to serve You and each other.
August 30th and our newsletter is here two days early!
September calls us to preparation for Holy Synod and the four things we are called to do: pray, take part, suggest, and be confident. September also calls us to ask God’s blessings upon our labor and to invite friends, family, and neighbors back to church. Read reports on our summer activities and all the wonderful things our youth have been engaged in. This summer showed forth so many blessings on our community of faith. We invite you be part of these blessings right here in Schenectady. You may view and download a copy right here — September 2014 Newsletter.
A call to be
changed.
I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, your spiritual worship. Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect.
Today we celebrate a call to be changed, to offer ourselves to God in all we do, and in doing so to make His kingdom a reality.
How will we make this change real? How will we respond and get to work? What will we do to be transformed into people completely focused on carrying out God’s will for humanity?
Our Holy Church has designated this Sunday as Youth Sunday. Our youth will be returning to school. They will study and grow in knowledge so that they may take their place in society, contributing their work and effort – but to what end?
If their studies are self-focused, if they are taken up without due consideration of God’s call to be changed and to change the world, they will only make their lives small and self-serving. They may achieve earthly success, but in the process lose their souls. If however, their study and growth remain focused on God’s call to change and affect change in accord with His call, their lives will be glorious and complete. They will use what they have gained to come into union with God and to carry out His will. We must help them by our example, prayer, and support. Our duty is to continually assist them in realizing that everything they learn and do is a gift from God and requires a response to His call to change.
This weekend we also celebrate Labor Day. Our work and labor must also been seen in light of the call to be changed and change the world. Paraphrasing our organizer, Bishop Hodur: ‘The time will come when our heroes emerging from the homes of farmers and laborers will sweat and sacrifice not for kings or the rights of the privileged or a single class, but will battle and work for freedom and the rights of man. Let us gather and strive to be first in good and last in wrong. Then shall we bring ourselves, our nation, and the whole world closer to happiness and salvation.’
We are thus called to change ourselves and the world, to transform life away from the money-driven values of this world to the bringing of the kingdom of God.
We are called to make change real in the lives of our youth and in our lives. This is true worship: “offer your bodies as a living sacrifice†Do not live the status quo. It is not enough! Jesus put His body on the line for us. So we must put our lives on the line, changing them for Him and working for the coming of His kingdom.
City of Schenectady – Provisional Paralegal Position
There is a full-time opening for a provisional Paralegal position in the Law Department. The annual salary range is $37,592 to $41,595 commensurate with experience. See attached for job description and minimum qualifications. Applicants must be residents of the City of Schenectady and remain residents throughout employment. All interested parties should submit a completed City of Schenectady Application or resume to:
Kathy Finch, Personnel & Benefits Administrator
City Hall, Room 105
Schenectady NY 12305Resumes can also be E-mailed.
Completed applications/resumes need to be received in the Personnel & Benefits Administrator’s Office (City Hall, Room 105) by 4:00 PM September 5, 2014.
NYS Department of Environmental Conservation – Maintenance Assistant (Seasonal) 2 Positions
Date Posted: 08/25/14
Applications Due: 09/08/14
Vacancy ID: 15713
Salary Range: $15.10 Hourly
Employment Type: Part-Time
Appointment Type: Temporary
Jurisdictional Class: Non-competitive Class
Schedule: Variable, 32 hours weekly, 7 AM to 3:30 PM
Location: 21 South Putt Corners Road, New Paltz, NY 12561Minimum Qualifications: Two years of experience in maintenance or mechanical work under the supervision of a skilled trades-worker or completion of an appropriate two-year technical school course. Must possess a valid driver’s license. Will operate a chainsaw and must be able to successfully complete our chainsaw safety training course within 60 days of appointment. Must be able to negotiate difficult terrain on foot carrying loads up to 75 lbs. Will work outside in adverse weather conditions. Must be able to respond to after hour emergencies and overtime may be required. Must be able to operate a standard shift. Will operate heavy machinery if your license is appropriate for that type of work and must be able to load, unload and trailer same in a safe and efficient manner. Candidates will perform routine repairs and maintenance on equipment. Must demonstrate ability to work independently with little or no direction. May be required to supervise one or more personnel in completing routine job assignments. May not be assigned the same job location each day. Should expect to be assigned anywhere in the working circle during work days.
Contact Information:
Sherri Montross
625 Broadway
Albany, NY 12233Notes on Applying: E-mail or mail your resume to the above. Be sure to put (OPS 14-35) on your resume or it may not be accepted.
NYS Department of Environmental Conservation – Laborer (Seasonal)
Date Posted: 08/25/14
Applications Due: 09/08/14
Vacancy ID: 15709
Salary Range: $13.54 Hourly
Employment Type: Part-Time
Appointment Type: Temporary
Jurisdictional Class: Non-competitive Class
Workweek: Variable, 32 hours weekly, 7 AM to 3:30 PM
Location: 78 Farmstead Lane, Wappingers Falls, NY 12590Minimum Qualifications: Must possess a valid NYS driver’s license. Must be able to safely load, unload and trailer same. Must successfully complete our chainsaw safety training course within 60 days of appointment. Must be able to negotiate difficult terrain on foot carrying loads up to 50 lbs. The use of personal protection equipment is required. Will work outside in adverse weather conditions must be able to respond to after hour emergencies and overtime may be required. Preference will be given to candidates who are able to operate farm tractors, various mowers including a slope mower, heavy machinery such as dozers and excavators.
Contact Information:
Sherri Montross
625 Broadway
Albany, NY 12233Notes on Applying: E-mail or mail your resume to the above. Be sure to put (OPS 14-35) on your resume or it may not be accepted.
NYS Office of Children and Family Services – Call Center Representative 2
Date Posted: 08/22/14
Applications Due: 09/08/14
Vacancy ID: 15687
Salary Range: From $44135 to $53606 Annually
Employment Type: Full-Time
Appointment Type: Provisional
Schedule: Mon-Fri, 37.5 hours/week, 9 AM to 5 PM
Location: Human Services Call Center, One Broadway Center, 9th Floor, Schenectady, NY 12305Minimum Qualifications:
Open Competitive: Either a Bachelor’s and 1 year of work experience in a customer call center operation in a government agency; or Sixty college semester credit hours and 2 years of work experience in a customer call center operation in a government agency; or A high school diploma or GED and 3 years of work experience in a customer call center operation in a government agency.
Additional Comments: Up to 5 positions available. Pending Division of Budget Approval.
Contact Information:
Bureau of Personnel, EOA#14-338 VMR
Telephone: (518) 473-7936
Fax: (518) 474-0017Capital View Office Park
52 Washington Street
Room 231 North
Rensselaer, NY 12144Notes on Applying: Qualified candidates should send a resume and cover letter giving the Title, Location, and EOA Number of the position being applied for. Please provide your E-mail address and your work, home and cell phone numbers. In order to qualify you for the position when you have current or prior New York State employment, you may be contacted by OCFS Personnel for your social security number to confirm your employment history.
Northeast Parent & Child Society – Clinical Case Manager
Northeast Parent & Child Society, one of New York State’s most innovative human service agencies, invites application for a Clinical Case Manager with IAPP in our Hudson, NY office.
The Intensive Aftercare Prevention Program (IAPP) provides six to nine months of intensive services to families whose children are either at risk of being removed from their homes or are already in placement. The goals of the program are to prevent out-of-home placement for troubled children, provide a safe environment to return children already in placement, and prevent future out-of-home placement.
Responsibilities include but are not limited to: Develop treatment plans to assist youth succeed with current issues. Develop a psychosocial assessment. Connect with the youth’s family to monitor progress and support the family’s effort to keep the youth safe. Ensure the coordination of services with service providers and collaterals involved with the youth and his/her family. Complete paperwork properly and within agency, county and state guidelines. Ability and willingness to do the job as changes arise.
Education / Experience: Bachelor’s degree in social work, sociology, criminal justice, psychology, human services or related field. Experience working with at-risk youth and families. Home and community based experience a plus.
Work Schedule: Monday-Friday; 8:30AM – 5PM. Some evening hours depending on client need and schedule. On-call rotation for evenings, weekends and holidays.
To learn more about and apply for this position please visit us online.
Northeast Parent & Child Society – Clinic Director
The Northeast Parent & Child Society, a Northern Rivers Family Services affiliates, Child Guidance Clinic a nationally accredited mental health outpatient treatment program, invites application for a Clinic Director.
The Child Guidance Center offers children and families help in managing their emotional well-being and assistance in resolving issues that may cause impaired emotional/behavioral functioning and psychiatric difficulties.
The Clinic Director will develop, shape, and oversee the array of Agency Clinic Services offered so that it may best advance the agency’s mission and its strategic plan. Consult clients, customers, professional colleagues and the most current pertinent science in making decisions concerning the array of services.
Skills/Qualifications: Master’s Degree in Psychology, counseling, social work or related degree with five to seven years of experience. NYS Licensure required. LCSW-R preferred.
Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.
To learn more about and apply for this position please visit us online.
Northeast Parent & Child Society – Day Treatment Clinician
The Northeast Parent & Child Society, one of New York State’s most innovative human service agencies, invites applications for a Day Treatment Clinician.
The School at Northeast is a co-ed special education program for 152 students in grades 6-12. Students typically cope with multiple problems including educational disabilities, family instability, emotional trauma, delinquency, mental illness, truancy, and substance abuse. The school offers a full curriculum in a structured and supportive learning environment, providing students with a variety of academic, recreational, and vocational opportunities.
In this position the Day Treatment Clinician provides therapeutic services to the students at the School at Northeast and their families. Clinician will assist students and families address significant social, emotional, and behavioral challenges in their lives to promote school success.
Skills/Qualifications: Master’s Degree in Social Work, Psychology or Counseling from an accredited school required. NYS Licensed or licensed eligible. Minimum of two years relevant experience working with at risk youth; ability to follow oral and written instruction; and a valid Driver’s License.
Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:00pm; School Calendar with extended school year (summer)
Review of applications will begin immediately and continued until the position is filled.
To apply for this position please visit us online.
Albany Community Action Partnership – Executive Director Position
The Board of Directors of the Albany Community Action Partnership (ACAP) seeks an experienced, inspirational and resourceful Executive Director to provide operational oversight for a $10M organization within Board-established strategic goals and policies and statutory requirements. Candidates must have the demonstrated ability to promote a vision for ACAP’s future that attracts resources, visibility and partnerships to increase the organization’s positive impact on people seeking greater social and economic stability and better lives for themselves and their families.
The Executive Director will lead an executive team that has, during the past 18 months, implemented a major transition in staffing and service configuration, toward an integrated, customer-focused approach to intake, assessment, service provision and evaluation. This individual must demonstrate the ability to assess changing community and organizational needs, develop and oversee an entrepreneurial business model in a heavily regulated environment, and develop high level community relationships and alliances that will support ACAP’s strategic growth.
The responsibilities of the Executive Director include financial management, communications, fund development planning and successful revenue development, and continuous program quality improvement and personnel development and oversight, all representing high ethical standards and respect for the circumstances and needs of customers and the value of employees.
The position requires a bachelor’s degree in a related field and a minimum of 8 years progressive experience in a senior leadership role with a track record in strategic planning, fundraising, staff and leadership development, and program design, development and evaluation. The successful candidate must also have experience supporting a Board of Directors in its legal and fiduciary responsibilities, and in partnering with a Board to continually develop its composition and effectiveness. A master’s degree is preferred.
The salary for this position is based on meeting job qualifications and is competitive with comparable nonprofit organizations in the region.
To apply: Interested individuals should forward a resume, in confidence, with a cover letter and salary requirements, via E-mail by September 8th.
Fiction Master Class offered by Lydia Davis and Memoir Workshop offered by Jo Page
The New York State Writers Institute will offer two creative writing workshops during the fall 2014 semester. Lydia Davis, New York State Writers Institute Fellow and winner of the 2013 Man Booker International Prize will conduct a fiction master class workshop, and Jo Page, New York State Writers Institute Writer-in-Residence will conduct a workshop on crafting memoir. The Fiction Master Class Workshop will focus on detailed discussion of students’ work, but there may also be assigned exercises and/or readings from published novels or short stories to broaden the discussion of topics such as character, plot, style, and form. The workshop is intended for advanced writers – writers who have significant publications in literary journals. The fiction workshop will be held on five Tuesday evenings from October 7 through November 4 at the University at Albany’s uptown campus.
The Memoir Workshop is intended for writers interested in crafting longer or shorter works or memoir, using readings and participants’ individual work to explore and develop the subtleties that make a memoir a compelling story as well as a re-collection of actual events. The workshop will be held on seven Wednesday evenings from October 8 through November 19 at the University at Albany’s uptown campus.
Both workshops are offered free of charge for no credit. Admission to either workshop is based on the submission of writing samples. Complete information on the workshops and submission guidelines may be obtained by calling the Institute at 518-442-5620 or by visiting the Institute’s website.
Arthur V. Savage 2014-2015 Internship Program
Arthur V. Savage (1926-2012) was a distinguished lawyer-conservationist, with a particular devotion to the preservation of open spaces and public parks in New York State. During the last half of the 20th century, Art co- founded or led a large number of nonprofit organizations that shape environmental laws, protect natural resources, and educate the public about conservation values. A 20-year member of the Parks & Trails New York Board of Directors, Arthur received our George W. Perkins Award in 2003 for his outstanding parks and conservation leadership. To honor the life and legacy of one of New York State’s most influential environmentalists, Parks & Trails New York is proud to offer the Arthur V. Savage Internship Program.
The Arthur V. Savage Internship Program offers an opportunity for undergraduates, graduate students, and recent graduates to work in Albany with the Parks & Trails New York staff to shape environmentally intelligent policies, organize grassroots constituents and provide stewardship for parks, trails, and other outdoor recreational facilities. The program provides interns with valuable insight and first-hand experience in the environmental field.
Specific Responsibilities: Assist with a variety of program, communications, and outreach tasks related to protecting, promoting and enhancing New York’s parks and trails. Projects include: Events – assist in organizing and promoting the statewide I Love My Park Day, Canal Clean Sweep, and Park and Trail Advocacy Days; Communications – assist with print and e-publications, website content and production, and other outreach; Advocacy – assist with PTNY’s advocacy efforts for state parks funding, funding for bike and pedestrian projects, and other park- and trail-related issues.Skills: Well organized, excellent oral and written communications skills, multi-tasker, strategic thinker, experience with Microsoft Office and web-based tools
Hours: Part-time, 15-20 hours/week. Hours are flexible in terms of days and times. Position starts in September and runs ideally through May, but requires at least a 15-week commitment.
Work Environment: Friendly and hard-working staff. Casual atmosphere. Compensation: $10 – $12 per hour. May be used for college internship requirements.
To Apply: Please send a cover letter, resume, and references (including a former employer or supervisor of volunteer work) by August 31, 2014 by E-mail with the subject line “ASI Internship.â€
PTNY is the leading statewide organization working to promote, enhance and protect a network of parks, trails and greenways across the state. We work with lawmakers to advance policy issues, assist local communities realize their visions for trails, lead bike tours along the Erie Canalway Trail and through the Hudson Valley, and work with grassroots groups to build their capacity to steward parks and trails.
Fellowship On Women & Public Policy
The Women”S Leadership Academy At The Center For Women In Government & Civil Society
Are you a graduate student or a mid-level professional seeking to strengthen your leadership skills and broaden your public policy knowledge?
Are you committed to positive social change and to furthering the well-being of women and their families?
The Center for Women in Government & Civil Society invites you to apply for its 2015 Fellowship on Women & Public Policy. The Fellowship on Women & Public Policy is a unique opportunity at the Center for Women in Government & Civil Society, Rockefeller Collegef Public Affairs & Policy, University at Albany.
Since 1983, the program has prepared public policy leaders by instilling the knowledge and cultivating the skills needed to become effective advocates and public policy leaders.
Through a balanced and comprehensive approach that combines academic instruction, field placement in a New York State-based public policy position, and personal and professional development activities, the program supports fellows to: Understand the public policy world with both theoretical and practical instruction from leaders in the policy arena; Research, analyze, and advocate for issues of concern to women, children, families and communities in New York State; Strengthen skills in writing, public policy analysis and creative and critical thinking, and sharpen interpersonal and critical skills needed to become effective leaders; Explore ways to overcome personal and professional barriers to leadership, and Develop a professional network of mentors and become part of an expanding community of alumna Fellows.
Based in Albany, New York, this six month program runs from the beginning of January through the end of June each year. Fellows are full-time graduate students in the Spring semester, and work thirty hours a week in their placement offices. A $10,000 stipend plus tuition assistance is available to Fellows.
The Fellowship invites qualified graduate students and professionals who have completed at least 12 credits of graduate coursework and possess a minimum of three years of internship/work experience to apply. The Fellowship is an interdisciplinary program that invites applications from all fields of study. Fellows are selected on a competitive basis, and must be in good academic standing at their college or university. The Fellowship is primarily for graduate students, but we also consider mid-level professionals who demonstrate commitment to the vision of the Fellowship.
Deadline for Submitting Applications for the second round is Tuesday, September 30, 2014
Applications can be found at the Center’s website. For further information about the Fellowship on Women & Public Policy, please contact Bilge Avci by E-mail, and 518. 591-8762, or Dina Refki by E-mail, and 518.442.5127.
The Center for Women in Government & Civil Society advances excellence in public service by facilitating balanced leadership; and promotes gender-responsive public policy that is shaped by women’s perspectives. The Center utilizes research, teaching, training and public education to accomplish its mission.
Soros Justice Fellowships
The Soros Justice Fellowship Program, an initiative of the Criminal Justice Fund of the Open Society Foundations, supports individuals who will further its mission of reducing the nation’s over-reliance on policies of punishment and incarceration, and restoring discretion and fairness to the U.S. criminal justice system.
All projects must, at a minimum, relate to one or more of the Justice Fund’s broad U.S. criminal justice reform goals: reducing mass incarceration, challenging extreme punishment, and promoting justice system accountability.
The Fellowships fund outstanding individuals, including lawyers, advocates, grassroots organizers, activist academics, journalists, and filmmakers, to implement innovative projects that address the Criminal Justice Fund priorities.
The Soros Justice Fellowships support individuals through two programs:
Advocacy Fellowships
These fellowships seek to identify and nurture emerging and seasoned leaders at either the local, state, or national level. Projects may range from litigation to public education to coalition-building to grassroots mobilization to action research, and must identify a clear policy goal. Advocacy Fellowships, which have two tracks, may be implemented in conjunction with nonprofit organizations. Track I supports new and emerging advocates with at least two years of advocacy experience. Track II supports individuals with a demonstrated record of achievement and expertise in their fields, including a minimum of ten years of relevant experience in their fields.
Media Fellowships
These fellowships support writers, print and broadcast journalists, filmmakers, bloggers, and other individuals with distinctive voices proposing to complete media projects that engage and inform, spur debate and conversation, and catalyze change on important U.S. criminal justice issues. The program intends to mitigate the time, space, and market constraints that often discourage individuals from pursuing important but marginalized, controversial, or unpopular issues in a comprehensive manner.
Special considerations is given to projects that demonstrate a clear understanding of the intersection of criminal justice issues with the particular needs of low-income communities, communities of color, immigrants, LGBTQ people, women and children, and those otherwise disproportionately affected by harsh criminal justice policies; as well as applications for projects that cut across various criminal justice fields and related sectors, such as education, health and mental health, housing, and employment.
Applications are welcome from individuals directly affected by, or with significant direct personal experience with, the policies, practices, and systems their projects seek to address (e.g. applicants who have themselves been incarcerated, applicants who have a family member or loved one who has been incarcerated and whose fellowship project emerges from that experience).
Application Procedures:
Fellowship application materials must be submitted online through the Open Society Foundation’s website.
Grant Details: Stipends ranging from $58,700 to $110,250 are provided.
Eligibility Requirements: Individuals
Application Deadlines: October 22, 2014.