Mission and Peacemaking

A large part of the mission of Union Presbyterian Church’s members is to support and encourage each other in individual ministries, and to cooperate with other congregations in ministries in the Schenectady area. We work with Presbyterian Church - USA (PCUSA) in ministries across the nation and around the world. Our members take an active part in planning mission activities and interpreting opportunities for service in the world.

Since the creation of Schenectady Inner City Mission (SICM), Union PC has been an active member of this collaboration of local churches. Most recently UPC opens its door and welcomes SICM to house its administrative office right in the Christian Education building. Furthermore, UPC also begins to provide monthly dinner (every 4th Monday of the month) for Damien Center – a haven for AID’s clients and their families.

Other mission and peacemaking activities have included coordinating and serving 9-week summer lunch program for the children at the Yates Village and being a drop-off depot for the Church World Service kits. For the past few years we have supported SICM's young summer interns to experience and serve the underprivileged. Ongoing efforts include participating in the Spring CROP Walk, collecting food for the Schenectady Inner City Ministry (SICM) food pantry, providing volunteers for a local soup kitchen, participating in the Home Furnishings Program of the City Mission, and preparing Church World Service Health Kits.

Local, national and worldwide benevolences of the church are supported through regular budget funds and a series of special collections and efforts including One Great Hour of Sharing, Pentecost Offering, Peacemaking Offering, Christmas Joy Offering, Christmas Eve Offering, Souper Bowl Offering, Emergency Food Offerings, the Heifer Project.

Additional mission funding is provided by the Women's Association using proceeds from the twice-annual Bargain Sales; and from donations to the Church World Service Blanket Sunday Offering, the Birthday Offering, and the Thank Offering.

The Mission and Peacemaking Department is responsible for overseeing UPC’s continued commitment to mission service and programs.  All members of the congregation are encouraged to take part in monthly meetings. 

UPC and its members are actively involved in numerous local organizations such as:

Schenectady Inner City Ministry (SICM) - Founded by a member of UPC, Rachael Rowe, SICM is an ecumenical partnership for ministries of social service and social justice. Offers Food Program, Damien Center for persons infected with HIV/AIDS, Youth Initiative, after-school program COCOA House, summer free lunch program, JOBS etc. Student Internships in the summer….

Home Furnishings Program - collects and distributes household furnishings in usable condition to people and families in need residing in Schenectady County.

Community Land Trust of Schenectady - rehabilitates housing for low and moderate income families, recruits and educates homeowners and advocates for housing issues. UPC was named as the Volunteer of the year 2005.

Bethesda House - UPC Service Circle sews and provides hygiene and school kits to service Bethesda clients.

City Mission - UPC donates and distributes Christmas gifts to the men of City Mission.

Church World Service - UPC is the depot in Schenectady collecting kits for global needs.

Salvation Army Soup Kitchen - UPC volunteers prepare and serve meals at the soup kitchen every 6 weeks.

Schenectady Community Home, Inc. - a two-bed facility dedicated to providing a safe, comfortable, caring residence for terminally ill patients with the greatest need and the fewest care options at the end of their lives. Staff and volunteers form the family care unit for the patients. This is UPC's most recent mission initiative.