Reverend Debra Jameson

Reverend Debra Jameson, an ordained minister in the Reformed Church of America since 1982, has served as a rural parish pastor in the Catskill towns of Shokan and Mt. Tremper, and in the urban setting of New York City. Over the years her journey has taken her beyond the church walls to ministries, including ecumenical consult for Project Hospitality in Staten Island, and for the Reformed Church Synod of New York in Brooklyn, Richmond, Rockland, and Westchester counties.

Reverend Jameson moved to the Albany area in 1996 and became involved in helping to strengthen the connection among faith communities, advocates and service providers. She joined the staff of the Hunger Action Network of New York State, serving as development coordinator and faith community liaison, co-creating the New York State Faith and Hunger Network.

For the last 13 years, Reverend Jameson has worked with the FOCUS Churches of Albany as Executive Director, providing leadership to a consortium of downtown Albany congregations that work together to make this corner of the world a more compassionate and just place for all people, particularly focusing on the poor and marginalized living in the city. FOCUS utilizes over 150 volunteers in the operation of emergency feeding and outreach programs. Reverend Jameson states, “What continues to energize me in our work is the opportunity to join acts of charity with acts of justice.” FOCUS is a unique ecumenical model that honors the traditions and theologies of many denominations.

Reverend Jameson serves as co-president of the Capital Region Ecumenical Organization and as a board member of the Hunger Action Network of New York State.