About Us

Our Mission

Led by the Holy Spirit, Albany Presbytery encourages, challenges, and equips its members and congregations to thrive as disciples of Jesus Christ and to glorify God.

 

Our Goals

Congregational Vitality ✝ Healthy Relationships ✝ Missional Living

Albany Presbytery is a governing body in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). We are one of twenty two Presbyteries that are a part of the Synod of the Northeast. Click here to learn more.

We are a gathering place for ministry for about 60 congregations, four new worshiping community, one new immigrant fellowship, hospital and college/university chaplains and ecumenical connections. Thank you for visiting our website to learn more about our ministries—we look forward to engaging in service in God’s world with you. Click here to learn more about PC(USA)

Officers

Rev. Dr. Amaury Tañón-Santos

Rev. Dr. Amaury Tañón-Santos

Moderator of Albany Presbytery

A pastor by vocation, a historian by training, and a networker by calling, Amaury Tañón-Santos (él/he/him) serves as the Executive Director/CEO of the Schenectady Community Ministries, a half-century-old collaborative of faith communities in the greater Schenectady, NY area seeking to address the social, financial and political injustices that emanate from and perpetuate systemic poverty.

You can read more about Rev. Tañón-Santos at www.pastoramaury.com

Rev. Katy Stenta

Rev. Katy Stenta

Vice Moderator of Albany Presbytery

Pastor Katy has worked in the church for 20 years, and previously served as pastor of New Covenant Presbyterian Church for 13. She is currently Vice Moderator for Albany Presbytery, and is excited to serve as Sabbatical Pastor at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Albany. She received her Doctorate in Creative Writing as a Public Theologian in Mr. Roger’s alma mater Pittsburgh Theological Seminary May 2024. She also leads prayer and writing Zoom workshops.

Rev. Donna Elia

Rev. Donna Elia

Treasurer

Donna Elia serves as executive director of Troy Area United Ministries, an interfaith organization committed to seeking the social and spiritual well being of people in Rensselaer County and the surrounding area. She is also stated supply pastor of First United Church, Hoosick Falls. She has served congregations in Albany and Tribes Hill.

Donna served Albany Presbytery as moderator, and in her work on the Guatemala Partnership Task Force, she has traveled to Guatemala 8 times. She is active on a number of boards, including the Kirkridge Retreat Center and the Rensselaer County Homeless Services Collaborative.

If you would to contact any of our officers, please email us.

Staff

Rob Trawick, Ruling Elder

Rob Trawick, Ruling Elder

General Presbyter

Robert Trawick is a Ruling Elder from New City, NY in the lower Hudson Valley.  He has served the PC(USA) in a number of roles at all levels of the denomination. He brings to his work a knowledge of people in the pews and the anxieties and the hopes connected with moments of change. Rob has served several Presbyteries and the Synod of the Northeast in a variety of roles, including moderator of the Presbytery of Hudson River, membership on the Synod Advisory Review Committee for Albany Presbytery, and co-chair of the Administration Commission for Susquehanna Valley Presbytery.

Alongside his work with the Presbyterian Church, Rob has served for over twenty years as a professor of philosophy and religious studies at St. Thomas Aquinas College, teaching ethics and the history of Christian thought. He lives with his wife, Amanda Trigg, two cats, and (occasionally) his son Owen, who is currently a musical theatre major at the University of Miami.  Rob’s passions, in addition to ministry and education, include music and theatre.

Rev. David Bennett

Rev. David Bennett

Stated Clerk

Rev. David Bennett [He/Him] was ordained by the Albany Presbytery in 2003 and served 13 years as pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Ballston Spa.  In 2016, he left that call to serve as the Resource Presbyter for Northern New York Presbytery, which spans from Lake Champlain to Lake Ontario.  In 2021, David was also elected as Stated Clerk of Albany Presbytery, creating a full-time call between the two presbyteries.

David likes to frame his Mid-Council/Presbytery ministry as fulfilling his passion to support pastors and church leaders as they facilitate pathways for revitalization and renewal.  By fostering innovation and connecting leaders to the right resources, David believe churches can pivot and move forward as gospel communities that make a tangible difference in our world today.

When not traveling about the North Country, David loves to spend time in the woods, and recently became an Adirondack 46er!  He also serves as president of the board for LifeWorks Community Action, Inc. [formerly Saratoga County Economic Opportunity Council] and is pursuing an Executive Certificate in Nonprofit Management from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.

David is married to Kara and they have two children, Emilie and Ethan.

Lynne Shuart

Lynne Shuart

Contract Bookkeeper

If you would to contact any of our staff, please email us.