The CACC Fall Awards Celebration will be held on Wednesday, October 11, 2024 at the Italian American Community Center. Below is a list of the 2024 nomination criteria, followed by the names of the 2023 Award Recipients. 2024 Nominations are due by May 31, 2024.
We welcome you to celebrate the awardees by joining the Honorary Committee. A form to attend the dinner will be posted in September 2024.
List of Criteria for Capital Area Council of Churches Awards
Rev. Dr. Caryle Adams Ecumenical/ Interfaith Award:
- Has worked to bring the message of unity
- Exemplifies the inclusive spirit of Dr. Adams
- Has been involved in some ecumenical or interfaith program or project.
James and Pearl Campbell Peace and Justice Award:
- A person who in his/her life’s work has shown to be a friend of peace and justice
- Honoree need not be a member of the Council
- But must be active in the CACC service area, which includes Albany County and southern Rensselaer County.
Rev. Joyce Steinkraus Giles Pastoral Service Award
- Actively participate in the Council of one of its programs
- have done outstanding pastoral ministry
- exemplify racial, gender, and denominational inclusiveness
ED Bloch Interfaith Youth Award
- college or high school age person
- whose actions have helped build bridges within the interfaith community.
Micah 6:8 Award
- a person whose actions represent someone who does justice, loves kindness, and walks humbly with their God.
To Nominate: Please send a letter in support of your nominee detailing how they meet the criteria for the award for which you would like them considered to capareacc@gmail.com or to the Capital Area Council of Churches, 646 State St., Albany, NY 12203. Nominations are due by May 31, 2024.
2023 Recipients
Rev. Carlyle Adams Ecumenical & Interfaith Award
William Hedberg is a long-time CACC board member and Treasurer and is recently retired as Associate Vice President and Senior Vice Provost of Academic Affairs from UAlbany.
Rabbi Rena Kieval retired last year as Rabbi at Congregation Ohav Shalom in Albany and is the third chair of The Kieval Institute for Jewish-Christian Studies at Siena College.
Uzma Popal has been Director of MSKP (Muslim Soup Kitchen Project) since 2014 and on the board for As-Suhbah (Muslim Youth Group of the Capital Region)
Pearl & James Campbell Peace & Justice Award
Angela Warner was Director of Social Justice Ministries for the Church of St. Vincent De Paul where she oversaw the churches Food Pantry, and currently serves as the Board President of the Alliance for a Hunger Free New York.
Rev. Joyce Steinkraus Giles Award
Rev. Robert Long is a retired United Methodist Church Pastor, past president of the Interfaith Alliance of Schenectady and a member of the Schenectady Clergy Against Hate.