Our Services

Due to the history of SJAG, it began quite small. With only a few members, and being outside of the church, it did not operate like other committees within the church. It did not have a leadership structure, did not have an official membership list, and did not have to hold majority votes to complete tasks. There is currently not a section of the United Methodist’s Book of Discipline with specific guidelines on how social justice efforts should be made.

Our Actions:

Providing educational opportunities for our community
Advocating against disparities, and using our privileges to lift up minority voices
Be a visible presence of Christian Faith in the world.
Writing to encourage Gospel driven decision making
Building Community
Advocating for Change
Providing a meeting place and a place to invite others to join us
Provide links and educational connections on various relevant topics

Our efforts for 2020, and part of 2021 were postponed due to COVID.

2021

A four week study: Justice or Just Us: The Biblical Call to Confront Racism
Strong presence at the "mission table" at the Lord's Acre Fair
A speaker from RISSE (Refugee and Immigrant Support Services of Emmaus) about their work with refugees

2022

Presentation on the History of Social Justice within the United Methodist Church led by Pastor Holly Nye.
Presentation by Paul Fisk, whom we connected with through the Capital Region Interfaith Creation Care Coalition, presenting on Al Gore’s Climate Reality Project.
Presentation by a local weatherman The Climate Peril presented by Capital Region Interfaith Creation Care Coalition.
Hosting J.J. Warren, who presented a keynote address, along with a panel discussion, followed by being a guest speaker for Sunday service, providing an impassioned speech on building an accepting church.
Attended the Women’s March in Albany, NY to support women’s equity and personal rights.

2023

Partnered with the Next Steps Team to be able to offer a Savvy Ally training by Lisa Puckey – a 6 week course exploring how our church community can be better allies to the LGBTQ+ community.
Collecting supplies for the new Shelters of Saratoga.
Discussion and sign up for the Reading is Fun program, which partners volunteers directly with young children to read together every week.
For Earth Day, we held a ‘Mini Fair’- to discuss different ways that we can give back and protect our earth.
Attended Schenectady PRIDE Festival
Attended Capital Region PRIDE Parade & Festival
Attended Saratoga PRIDE Festival
Offered mental health resources and education.
Helped to support the celebration of our reconciling anniversary!
Helping to support and plan for an ‘Open Table’ event for Thanksgiving this year that will offer fellowship and networking time, along with good food for free
Mindfulness Training

2024

Shelters of Saratoga Presentation & Collection
Coalition Building Meeting with 8 Churches
Language & Microaggressions Discussion
Collecting Eclipse Glasses
Language Gender & Patriarchy Discussion
Earth Day Mini Fair & Seed Swap

A presentation on the impact of churches becoming reconciling and affirming to LGBTQ+ people after service May 19th.
Making bracelets for PRIDE! We have kits available in coffee hour each week, and people available to teach you how to make them.

Schenectady Festival June 1st 2 – 7 pm
Albany Parade & Festival June 9th at 11:30 am with Schenectady First UMC & Trinity UMC
Saratoga Festival June 23rd 2 – 5pm