Mayor Driscoll says, “Join ACTS.”           

Mayor Matt J. Driscoll addressed the Dec. 12 ACTS Clergy Caucus after a pre-meeting with ACTS Member Clergy.  Mayor Driscoll encouraged every potential member congregation to be "under one umbrella," to "join ACTS" because it would be “good for the city, good for the region, and good for Upstate NY.”  He envisions congregations to do "holy blocks," to survey their surrounding neighborhoods and assess their needs and concerns; he will then bring in resources. He said congregations are best positioned to re-build community.  He was introduced by ACTS President Rev. Ron P. Davis (Hopps Memorial CME) and ACTS Clergy Caucus Co-Chairs Rev. Leslie Johnson (Tucker MBC) and Rev. Marilyn Wolfe (University UMC) at the ACTS Dec. 12 Clergy Caucus,

Bishop roars!                                                 

Bishop Stephan Booze (Niagara) told clergy that he thought he was roaring, but it was really a meow.   And there now is a new roar in the congregation of pride, communication, and community-building.  When he joined ACTS sister organization in Niagara County, Bishop Booze gained support of 14 other congregations in NOAH-Niagara, and together they roared at their first large public meeting, winning local hiring agreements from a dozen of public officials across the county, including mayors of cities and state senators.  Alone, he (and each other pastor) had never had that kind of respect for the congregation and the ministry.  He joined Mayor Driscoll in saying, “Join ACTS.”

Rev. Bryant Gerald, Sr. Joins ACTS.                  

Immanuel Temple Church of God in Christ (Rev. Bryant Gerald, Sr., Pastor) joined ACTS at the end of the Clergy Caucus Dec. 12!  Thanks be to God! 

ACTS meets Common Councilor Stephanie A. Miner.       

ACTS leaders met with Syracuse Common Councilor and potential mayoral candidate Stephanie Miner on Dec. 20^th. We shared visions for the city and the region, and a working partnership is in progress. Common Councilor Miner appreciated ACTS for the Nov. 20 “red-tape” action at Common Council, which was, to her and to her colleagues, a “positive experience.” Since then, Syracuse Common Councilor Bill Ryan has come to ACTS for names of candidates to the Citizen Review Board.

ACTS meets State Senator John A. DeFrancisco.              

ACTS leaders met with State Senator John DeFrancisco on Jan. 4^th, and he is now informed about ACTS’ expansion into the suburbs as well as our building a power organization not only in the city/county but also in Upstate NY (through the NY Thruway Alliance). He has saved the date of March 11 for our Covenant Event in case the ACTS Board decides to invite him. Rev. Marilyn Wolfe (University UMC) affirmed to Sen. DeFrancisco that as we build the NY Thruway Alliance, we intend to be partners with our elected officials at the State Legislature.

ACTS Goes State-wide.                 

ACTS is creating the Upstate NY Thruway Alliance (NYTA) with our sister organizations in Buffalo (VOICE), Niagara Falls (NOAH), Rochester (Interfaith Action) and the Capital Region of Albany, Schenectady, and Troy (ARISE). Together we represent over a 100 congregations and over 40,000 constituents in Upstate NY. In January 24-25, ACTS will send a delegation of leaders to the NYTA retreat in Albany. We plan to meet with incoming Gov. Eliot Spitzer’s key staff as well as elected officials representing the Greater Syracuse region, including State Senator Dave Valesky.

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