WINDOWS WEEKLY March 9, 2023

Greetings Friends,


Good evening everyone and welcome to Windows Weekly, Albany UU's central source for news and updates.


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-Blessings and Be Well

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MULTIPLATFORM SUNDAY MORNING



Begin your Sunday morning with an 8:30 Multiplatform

Meditation session until 9:20

For those wishing to join remotely, Meditation is now on Zoom 4 here:

https://tinyurl.com/AlbanyUU-Meditation-4


By phone: 1-929-205-6099

Meeting ID: 518 463 1429

Passcode: 1842415



Multiplatform service begins at 10:00 each Sunday

Use this link to join the service remotely:

https://tinyurl.com/AlbanyUU-SundayService


To dial in by phone: 1-929-436-2866:

Meeting ID: 299 018 7785

Password: 0000


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For more information about our services, check out our website.

Masks are required



March 12 “Right, Wrong, and Grey,” Jacob King, Ministerial Intern

In a digital world with access to limitless information, especially "negative news," it can often feel overwhelming at times. Finding "good news" can be a challenge in itself, but it is there. In the muddled waters of our complex inter-connected systems, between the right and the wrong; lies the murky realms of grey. Join us as we explore these interconnected realms. This service will be uplifting resources, music, and literature from the AAPI (Asian American and Pacific Islanders) community; furthering our commitment to "Building a Beloved Community."


Music: Olga Martinez




If you missed last week's service, check out the video that Rev Sam put together for it here: https://youtu.be/mx4N1jb6yXo



Those wishing to access closed captioning/live transcript can turn on the function in their Zoom toolbar. To update to the latest version of Zoom, please do that within the software by finding the menu link and “check for updates”.

MULTIPLATFORM

SUNDAY SERVICE INFORMATION






March 19 “A Religious Response to Vulnerability,” Rev Sam Trumbore

Few of us like feeling vulnerable. We’d rather defend ourselves from what might threaten us. We’d prefer having those around us who will defend us. We’d rather pass laws and buy insurance against it. And … the nature of being human is being vulnerable. How can Unitarian Universalism help us deal with it?


Music: Olga Martinez, Albany UU Choir



March 26 “This I Believe”

This is the Sunday Service when we hear from members of the congregation who will share their own personal religious perspective. Our presenters this year we will be Anna Baldes, Liz Richards, and Chris Jensen. This has been a perennially popular service. We appreciate our presenters' willingness to participate this year and look forward to hearing from them.


Music: Olga Martinez, Anna Baldes, Albany UU Choir, Chris Jensen




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From Jacob King, Albany UU's

Ministerial Intern:

Members of the congregation, greetings.

I have met with many of you over the past weeks on zoom, and would love to continue this trend.


I am generally available by zoom or in-person at the congregation Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays.


Other days or in another location can be discussed on a case-by-case basis. Please send me an email at [email protected].


If you're interested in finding more information about our Music Ministry,

 check out our website!



Use this link to join Sunday service remotely

https://tinyurl.com/AlbanyUU-SundayService

To dial in by phone:

1-929-436-2866

Meeting ID: 299 018 7785

Password: 0000



Sunday Offering

and other

service information

For more information about Sunday service, Zoom, Sunday Offering, and other important Sunday morning details, check out our Sunday at a Glance page here.



Sharing Joys and Concerns during Service

Learn about the three ways that you can share your joys and concerns.



Need to Talk? Albany UU Pastoral Care Associates are here to listen!

Learn about our Pastoral Care program.



Archives

Past service video recordings can be found here, our YouTube channel and our Facebook page; past sermons can be read here.



Learn more about thematic ministry on our website.



Check out the

Albany UU Blog


Online Giving

Greetings friends! I, Jacob King, Ministerial Intern, invite you to join us for a celebration of the Vernal Equinox. This multi-generational event will be unapologetically interfaith, multicultural, and LGBTQia2S+ affirming; demonstrative of our commitment to "Building a Beloved Community." 

  • Event date: Monday, March 20th, 2023, 7:00pm-8:00pm (Multi-platform).
  • Please register for this event at: tinyurl.com/bddh397h 

Please reach out to [email protected] for any questions.


Join Jacob and the Green Sanctuary for a Day of Action on Tuesday, March 21 at Noon - organized nationwide by TH!RD ACT to send a strong message to the banks: if you don’t move money out of fossil fuels, we will move our money out of your banks. Find more information here.


PROGRAMS FOR

CHILDREN and YOUTH


This Sunday 3/12/23: Children and youth whose groups do not begin at 10AM are invited to service in Community Hall with their grownups until after the Wisdom Story, when it will be time to go to their age-based groups.

  • Nursery/Toddler Room will be open at 9:45
  • K/1 OWL begins at 10AM in Room 24/25 (children only)
  • Grade 8/9 OWL begins at 10AM in Room B3/B4
  • Youth Group begins at 10AM in Room B8


Upcoming Vernal Equinox Service 3/20 7-8pm: opportunity for a youth speaker, contact Jacob at [email protected]


Young Peacemaker's Week- Registration is open for Young Peacemakers Week! Quite a few Albany UU's are involved as campers, staff, and volunteers at this fun and friendly afternoon camp located just a few blocks away from Albany UU at the Friends Meeting House. Check it out!


Image by Engin Akyurt from Pixabay



Elizabeth Baldes

Director of Religious Education

[email protected] 

JOIN THE ALBANY UU TEAM


SEARCHING FOR OUR NEXT CHURCH ADMINISTRATOR!

The search is on for a qualified successor to Tammy, who is leaving us at the end of March. We are pursuing the usual posting and recruiting, but maybe they can be found among the members and friends of Albany UU!  If you are thinking you might be that person, check out the job posting here. Also, if you know of a good candidate, let them know about this opportunity. And if you have ideas about outreach, please contact Karen Kaufmann (Chair of the Personnel Committee) at [email protected].

UPCOMING WAYS to CONNECT

Start your Sunday Morning with Multiplatform Meditation

8:30 - 9:15 AM

We will sit together virtually for twenty minutes then have some conversation about the talk, meditation methods or experiences followed by a live loving kindness meditation.


Use this link to join remotely - THIS IS A PERMANANT CHANGE:

https://tinyurl.com/AlbanyUU-Meditation-4


By phone: 1-929-205-6099

Meeting ID: 518 463 1429

Passcode: 1842415



Inclusivity Team meets on Sunday, March 12 at noon in both Room B-8 and online. All are welcome to join.


Use this link to join:

https://tinyurl.com/Albany-UU-Inclusivity

 

By phone: 1-929-436-2866

Meeting ID: 864 9509 1658

Passcode: 0000



Walker Book Group

Join the Walker Book Group for a Zoom discussion on Sunday, March 12 at 6:30 pm. We will discuss Our Country Friends by Gary Shteyngart. Join at 6:15 for additional time to socialize. Directions for joining the meeting via Zoom will be placed in Windows Weekly. Learn more here.



Philosophy Group

At 10:15 AM every Tuesday, the Albany UU Philosophy Group will meet via zoom to discuss the topic of the day which this Tuesday will be: How could we establish a practical immigration policy seeing that the climate refugee issue is rising? All are welcome.


Use this link to join:

https://tinyurl.com/AlbanyUU-Philosophy    


By phone: 1-929-436-2866 

Meeting ID: 987 7102 4708

Password: 0000



The Finance Team meets on Tuesday, March 14 at 4:00 PM in B-8 and on Zoom. Albany UU members are welcome to join.


Use this link to join remotely:

https://tinyurl.com/AlbanyUU-FinanceTeam

 

By phone: 1-929-436-2866

Meeting ID: 860 5594 7976

Passcode: 0000


Bridge Group

For information about the 1:00 PM, Tuesday Bridge Group, check with the church office.



Choir Rehearsal

At 7:00 PM on Wednesdays, in Community Hall. Masks are required. Contact Olga Martinez, Directory of Music Ministry for more information.



Getting to Know UU

Saturday, March 18, is a great chance for some of us at Albany UU to get to know YOU -- but it's also a perfect opportunity for you to learn about this Unitarian Universalist congregation, explore the roots of "UUism," and begin to figure out how participating in congregational life can enhance your personal journey.


Please join us either in-person in Room B-8 or via Zoom:

9:00 AM to noon

Saturday, March 18


Use this link to join remotely:

https://tinyurl.com/AlbanyUU-GTKUU


To dial in by phone: 1-929-436-2866:

Meeting ID: 299 018 7785

Password: 0000


Signing up is preferred, but logins the day of are welcome, come as you are!



Workshop on Grief and Loss, sponsored by the Pastoral Care Team, March 25, 2-4PM, Room B-8. There are many experiences that can trigger grief and loss in our lives. Coping with grief and loss is hard and it can be helpful to be with others in that experience. We will have time for self reflection, time for sharing and time to learn strategies that may help. To Sign up, contact Anny Lapinski at [email protected] or 518-852-6674

 

STAFF TRANSITION


As you may have heard, our beloved Church Administrator, Tammy Goddard, is moving on to a new opportunity. There will be an appreciation for Tammy during service on 3/26, followed by an opportunity to speak with her and sign a memory book at Coffee Hour. All are welcome as we wish her well on her new adventure!


If you'd like to contribute to a gift for Tammy, please contact Elizabeth Baldes at [email protected].


Looking ahead to Rev. Sam's retirement, there will be a church picnic to mark the occasion on Saturday July 8th at Thacher Park. More details will be provided as the date draws nearer.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

18th Annual Wine and Cheese Tasting Event.

Saturday, April 1st at 7:00 PM

Wines and Cheese from Spain will be presented.

And will be accompanied by delicious condiments. The evening will be guided by your favorite wineaux and by Mary Rizzo of the Cheese Traveler.


$35/per person. This is always a popular event - Sign up soon either in-person in Channing Hall on Sunday or online here.


AND once again, great raffles of a white wine, a red wine each worth between $35 and $50 and a gift basket of both wines plus the cheeses and condiments that complement!

2 tickets for $6; 5 tickets for $12



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Celebrate the arrival of Spring by sharing and enjoying an evening and great food with Albany UU friends! Sign up now for the Circle Dinner on Saturday, March 25 from 6:00 to 9:00 pm. 

For those who have not attended before, Circle Dinners are an easy and fun way to make new friends at Albany UU. Albany UU members host collaborative dinners for 6 to 10 people in their homes. Guests bring part of the meal - make your favorite dish, or pick up your contribution at your favorite grocery store.  The individual hosts coordinate each guest’s contribution. 

You must be vaccinated and boosted to participate. 


Sign up now to attend and/or host a Circle Dinner on Saturday, March 25 from 6 to 9 PM by emailing John Sherman at [email protected] by Sunday March 19. 

John will promptly confirm receipt of your signup and then on March 20 will send the details of who your host will be.



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Hungry for an opportunity to order some Girl Scout Cookies? These Albany UU Scouts will be more than happy to help you out:

Zora M. https://digitalcookie.girlscouts.org/scout/zora390839

Natalie P. https://digitalcookie.girlscouts.org/scout/natalie84914

Eliza and Flora S. https://digitalcookie.girlscouts.org/scout/eliza264855


This information is provided as a courtesy to the cookie sellers and the congregation. Participation is optional. If your Albany UU Girl Scout would like their link included please send it to Elizabeth at [email protected]. Cookie inquiries should be directed to sellers.




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The Art & Aesthetics Team needs your help

There are a number of paintings gracing our buildings’ walls which we know very little about. In several cases, we do not even know the name of the artist. If you, or someone you know, might have some of this information, please call (518-813-1992) or email ([email protected]) Dick Dana. Thanks for your help in advance!




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Call for Nominations 

“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, what are you doing for others?” – Martin Luther King, Jr.


Are you looking for a way to be more involved in the Albany UU community? The Nominating Committee is seeking nominees for the following positions to be elected at the Annual Meeting in May 2023 These positions offer members of our community an opportunity to shape our collective future and help Albany UU achieve its mission.


Position Term 

Treasurer Two years 

Secretary Two years

Trustee Two positions, each for two years

Nominating Committee Three positions, each for two years

Endowment Trust One position for five years


To learn about the responsibilities of each position, go to AlbanyUU.org, choose Resources | Church Office | File Cabinet. Under Governance you will see Elected Office Job Descriptions. Any Nominating Committee member can also send a position description to you.


Requirements for Elected Positions

Any person holding an elected position must be an active member of FUUSA for at least 30 days prior to being elected and must not have a pledge in arrears. Candidates for the Endowment Trust must be members for at least 3 years. 

   

Nomination Procedure

Society members are encouraged to contact anyone on the Nominating Committee to let them know of their interest in serving or to suggest someone else you feel would be qualified or if you have questions, please contact any one of the following: Elizabeth Berberian, Liz Richards Hart, Kathy Hodges, Reese Satin, Kelly Smith, or Todd Thomas ([email protected]).  


The Nominating Committee hopes that you will consider stepping up by contacting a Nominating Committee member or, if asked, responding with a “Yes, I will serve!”



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Make Your Fall Vacation Plans NOW!

I like the fact that I do not have to do any advance planning to participate in this glorious weekend. ~Karen Kaufmann


How would you like a stress-free fall vacation: an all-inclusive 3-day stay at a beautiful inn on Lake George that requires no advance planning, where all meals are prepared for you and your family, and that includes all entertainment and a variety of activities for the whole family for one set price? 


Make this a reality! Plan to attend the 30th annual UU Weekend at Silver Bay from October 13-15, 2023. This eagerly awaited highlight of the fall season features adult workshops focusing on creativity, physical activity, nature and spirituality interspersed with relaxation and conversation, and a full array of age-appropriate activities for children.


Registration is now open. Register by June 1, 2023 to receive the lowest rates! Children under 6 are free, with substantial discounts for older children and youth.

Access additional information about Silver Bay and the UU weekend, including the registration form and a slide show, at http://albanyuu.org/uu-weekend-at-silver-bay/

Note that rooms will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis based on receipt of the completed registration form and accompanying deposit. Remember – the cost is all-inclusive for room and board, activities and entertainment - including all meals from Friday dinner through Sunday lunch. 

SOCIAL ACTION and INCLUSIVITY

Albany UU Planned-Parenthood Partnership group participated in Upper Hudson's Planned Parenthood's "Lobby Day." This event was a coalescence of months of grass roots efforts, advocacy, and support. During the event, Gov. Kathy Hochul, along with many others, spoke in support of bodily autonomy and reproductive justice. 

  These voices were heard, and the NY State Assembly voted Yes in favor of a constitutional amendment cementing reproductive rights for women, people of color, and all folx across the LGBTia2S+ spectrum (which will go to voters in 2024). 


Many members of the Upper Hudson Planned-Parenthood team personally expressed gratitude for the congregation's generous support and financial contributions. Financial contributions from "private" organizations have less restrictions than government grants; allowing greater leeway for Upper Hudson to continue supporting, educating, and fighting for reproductive justice



Black Lives Matter Vigil in Troy

When: Saturdays,10:30-11:00 am

Where: Troy - corner of River Street at the intersection of Fulton and Third Streets, 12180

Learn more here.



Stand Against Racism Vigil in Delmar

Join Albany UUs each Saturday to Stand Against Racism, at the Delmar Four Corners, corner of Delaware and Kenwood Avenues. We’re there from 9:30 to 10 AM. Welcoming all - whether you live in Delmar, Albany, or anywhere nearby!

 

 

Raise Your Voice for End of Life Choice

  • ADVOCATE. Upload a 250-word or shorter Letter to the Editor of the Albany Times Union here to express your support for the Medical Aid in Dying Act and explain why. For assistance, reach out to Dave Munro at [email protected]
  • CONTEMPLATE. Join the Unitarian Church of All Souls in NYC at the Date with Death Club, free and open to everyone who would like to explore mortality in community. Zoom sessions are from 2-4 pm on the first Sundays of the month, March 5, April 2, May 7, and June 4.  No registration is needed; you can just show up to any number of the sessions. Learn more about the series and get the Zoom link here



The Inclusivity Team Recommends the following:


For children:

Knock Knock: My dad's dream for me, by Daniel Beaty. Illustrated by Bryan Collier. (2013). Based on the author's own experience, Beaty shows us, brilliantly, from a child's perspective, the experience of father-loss. Available in hard copy format in the Upper Hudson Library System. Available in braille from the National Library Service (NLS).


Click here to listen and see a 3-minute video of the book read aloud by Sankofa Read Aloud:

Knock Knock - YouTube (youtube-nocookie.com)

IMPORTANT INFORMATION


Find Sunday service recordings here.


Learn about submitting announcements to for Sunday service and how to reserve a Zoom room for meetings and events here.


All information about regular occurring events and meetings, including Zoom links can be found here.




Other important resources, our file cabinet, archives, guidelines and information can be found on the Resource Page of our website, here.




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Publication deadlines

This is an important reminder that the news and article deadline for Windows Weekly is 9:00 AM on Monday. Thank you for your cooperation.



Sign up for an Albany UU class or event


- Send an email to: [email protected]

Albany Unitarian Universalist

Parking: 

Parking is available on the street. On Sundays (and for some special events) Albany UU has permission to use the University at Albany’s Hawley Parking Lot on Robin Street at Washington Avenue.


Office hours:

By appointment


Our Website:

General: www.AlbanyUU.org

Resources: http://albanyuu.org/albany-uu-resources/


Zoom use:

To reserve Zoom for an Albany UU meeting, contact the church office (518.463.7135 or [email protected]).


Building use

To reserve a room for an Albany UU activity or to rent a hall or classroom space, for a personal or non-Albany UU activity, contact our Administrative Assistant (518.463.7135 or [email protected]).


It is with gratitude and humility that we acknowledge that we are learning, speaking and gathering on the ancestral homelands of the Mohican people who are the indigenous peoples of this land. Despite tremendous hardship in being forced from here, today their community resides in Wisconsin and is known as the Stockbridge-Munsee Community. We pay honor and respect to their ancestors past and present as we commit to building a more inclusive and equitable space for all.


Photo credit: Rev. Sam Trumbore
First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany | 518.463.7135 | 518.463.1429 [email protected] | AlbanyUU.org
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