St. Peter's Episcopal Church

Albany, New York

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Albany is a city steeped not only in the politics of New York state, but in its religious history. The​ generations​ of immigrants who populated the city ​in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries ​dotted the skyline with churches and synagogues, many of which still stand today​, as the Albany area has spread outward to dozens of suburbs and taken in sizable Hindu and Muslim populations, also represented in the student body of the University at Albany. ​ 

The American Pilgrimage Project traveled to Albany in June 2015. ​T​he project's two days of conversations​ drew together ​upstate ​native​s​ and foreign transplants, and a broad range of ​faith​ traditions​,​ all with stories of how ​religion ​had shaped their responses to​​ life’s most harrowing moments. Many thanks to our host​s​, the First Lutheran Church of Albany​ and the Capital Area Council of Churches​ (George Herrick in particular), and to all who took part in the conversations.

The interviews below were recorded by StoryCorps, a national nonprofit whose mission is to preserve and share humanity’s stories in order to build connections between people and create a more just and compassionate world.

The Stranger at the Side of the Road: Matthew Sissman and Paul Elie

June 20, 2015

More stories about: Healing & Recovery

When he was nearly killed in a terrible car accident, Matthew Sissman was saved by a Good Samaritan who called 911 and stayed by his side until emergency services could arrive. In this conversation, Sissman discusses his experience and the spiritual gratitude it brought him with his childhood friend Paul Elie.

This story was produced by StoryCorps.

Islamophobia Has Awakened Us: Khalafalla Osman and Azmad Din

June 18, 2015

More stories about: Islam Education

Khalafalla Osman was a student at the University of Albany when two gunmen opened fire at a contest for cartoon depictions of the Prophet Mohammed in 2015 in Garland, Texas. In this conversation, he discusses with his friend and fellow student Azman Din his experience with Islamophobia in the aftermath of the shooting and what Islamophobia means to him.

This story was produced by StoryCorps.

Nikhil Jain and Donna Crisafulli

June 18, 2015

More stories about: Healing & Recovery

When Nikhil Jain moved to the United States from India, he began teaching meditation, and the experience deepened his spirituality and gave him confidence in the existence of God. In this conversation, Jain discusses with his friend Donna Crisfulli his difficulties following his father's suicide, and his resulting decision to leave and eventually return to teaching meditation.

This story was produced by StoryCorps.

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