WINDOWS WEEKLY September 1, 2022

Greetings Friends,

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

You may be seeing a "clipped" version of this. To view this entire newsletter, be sure to scroll down to the "See entire message" link and click that. To change the view and make it larger and easier to read, click on the three vertical dots on the upper right of your page to the right of your profile avatar. In the dropdown box, you'll see "zoom" and you can click the "plus sign" as many times as you like to make it as large as is comfortable for you.

If this email was forwarded to you, and you would like to receive it directly, please

-Blessings and Be Well
Visit our Website
MULTIPLATFORM SUNDAY SERVICE


SUNDAY SERVICE at 10:00 AM


Begin your Sunday morning with an 8:30 MULTIPLATFORM

Meditation session until 9:20


Multiplatform service begins at 10:00 each Sunday


******************


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

Masks are required



Sept. 4 “What Really Matters: A Talk for Labor Day,” Diane Cameron

Diane Cameron is a writer, and teacher. A columnist for the Albany Times Union Diane is the author of three books, “Looking for Signs” –a collection of essays; “Out of the Woods” about Twelve-step recovery, and “Never Leave Your Dead”—the history of war trauma.



Diane is a passionate for people living in poverty and for family caregivers. She is a director at Unity House in Troy. Diane is also a spiritual director, and she has worked with our Wellspring program. Diane is married to David Pascone and they live in Guilderland, New York.


Music: Lois Bailey and Ireta London


September 4 marks the last Sunday of summer services


Join us for cookies and lemonade in the back of Community Hall following service



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



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



September______

 


Welcome to the new church year!



Sept. 11 “Come Home To Where You Belong”

Our fall season opens this Sunday with our “Homecoming Service.” It is a special multi-generational service that includes a photomontage of summer events, travel, and social gatherings. If you would like to contribute a picture, send it to office@albanyuu.org. (Deadline for photos Tuesday, Sept 6)


We also gather water too. The water source can be from your home, back yard or from your summer travels and adventures. We will gather small splashes of that water in a common bowl during the service. Each contribution can be identified with a sentence about why that water is meaningful to you. We will also remember September 11, 2001, our losses that day and continuing grief since, in the service after Joys and Sorrows. 


Plan on lunch after the service! Everyone is invited to a light lunch in Channing hall right after the service. Masks are optional. Please bring a “finger food” to share if you’re willing and able!! Drop food items off in the kitchen before service.


Whether you are in person or participate virtually, let us have a joyous service to begin our fall season together in love.


Music: Albany UU Choir, Olga Martinez



Sept. 18 “Belonging in Community,”

Rev. Sam Trumbore

Widening our welcome to support a greater feeling of belonging can be a challenge the wider that welcome becomes. Often differences are what separate us rather than bring us together. What supports safety and security in a congregation to make differences a source of interest and curiosity rather than threat or fear?


Music: Albany UU Choir



Sept. 25 – Jacob King, Intern, TBA




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.




Check out the

Albany UU Blog


Online Giving

MEET OUR NEW MINISTERIAL INTERN



WELCOME JACOB KING


Jacob King(He/Him) is a third-year Masters of Divinity(Mdiv) student at Starr King school for the Ministry. 


Jacob openly identifies as a member of the LGBTQIA2S+ community (Bi-sexual). 


Jacob came to UU in 2019, after having left a Christian tradition he disagreed with theologically, ethically, and morally. 


Jacob currently identifies theologically as a UU-Christian. 


Jacob has moved to Albany from Oregon with his spouse, Karmen; along with three cats and a dog. 


Jacob is excited to meet, serve, and worship with members of the congregation over the course of the internship (Aug 2022-May 2023).

MEANING MATTERS

Join a
Meaning Matters
 Group

Meaning Matters is a small group discussion, growth and development program at Albany UU led by Rev. Sam.

Before the beginning of the month, Rev. Sam sends out a short packet of materials containing essays, deepening exercises, quotes, poems, music, video clips, podcasts, articles, books, movies, all related to the “theme for the month.” Towards the end of the month, the Meaning Matters groups gather to reflect on the theme using the materials, sermons from that month, and activities found in the packet that can stimulate growth and development. Participants are free to use as much or as little of these materials as they wish. The focus is personal sharing, reflection and conversation exploring the theme together that support individual and congregational growth and development.

The program meets once a month from September through June for two hours. There are currently three groups (could be more) that meet the third Monday at 1:30pm, the third Tuesday at 5pm and the fourth Monday at 7pm.

The themes for the next 10 months are:

September:  Belonging
October:  Courage
November: Change
December:  Wonder
January:  Finding Our Center
February: Love
March: Vulnerability
April: Resistance
May:  Creativity
June:  Delight

If this program interests you, please contact Rev. Sam at minister@albanyuu.org with “Meaning Matters” in the subject line to look at the September Packet and/or sign up. 

PROGRAMS FOR

CHILDREN and YOUTH



So many wonderful things are happening!


Registration is open here, and you can take a look at our programming for Fall 2022 here. If you have any questions please contact Elizabeth at dre@albanyuu.org. Please share this info with anyone you think might be interested in all we have to offer!


9/11/2022    Homecoming Service at 10AM

This annual multi-generational service brings the congregation together to celebrate our summer adventures and kick off the new church year. If you'd like the photo montage in service to include a moment from your and/or your family’s summer, please send the image to office@albanyuu.org by Tuesday, Sept 6. 


Water will also be gathered, it can be from your home, back yard, rain gauge, local pool, swimming hole, far-flung locale, etc. Please bring your water to Community Hall or to Zoom for service, and when it is time you will have the opportunity to share your water, and a sentence about why that water is meaningful to you.


Following service on September 11th:

  • Classrooms for kids' programming will be open for you to identify which rooms your children and youth will be in, and take a look around. Guides can also check out their classrooms at this time.
  • 8th/9th Parent/Guardian OWL Orientation will take place from 12-2pm in B3/B4.
  • Guide Development Session for all volunteers in Programs for Children and Youth will be on Zoom from 6-7:30pm. Emails will be sent to volunteers with all necessary info.

9/18/2022    Small Groups begin! 

  • Infants and toddlers can be dropped off in the Nursery/Toddler Room (22 upstairs) beginning at 9:45. Please pick up your little ones when service ends. Note that Nursery/Toddler will also be open on 9/11.
  • Children in the PreK-1st Grade Group will go to service with their adults, and transition upstairs to Room 24/25 after the Wisdom Story. Sessions end at 11:15, and adults are expected to pick up their children from the classroom at that time.
  • Children in the Grade 2-5 Group will go to service with their adults, and transition upstairs to Room 26 after the Wisdom Story. Sessions end at 11:15, and adults are expected to pick up their children from the classroom at that time.
  • Youth in Grade 6/7 Crossing Paths will go to service with their adults, and transition downstairs to Room B1 after the Wisdom Story. Sessions end at 11:15, and youth will be released on their own to find their adults.
  • Youth in Grade 8/9 OWL will go directly to B3/B4 at 10AM. Sessions end at 11:30, and youth will be released on their own to find their adults.
  • High school Youth Group meets at 10AM in B8.


Photo by Jen Theodore on Unsplash



Elizabeth Baldes

Director of Religious Education

dre@albanyuu.org

MUSIC MINISTRY



Choir Rehearsal is back! 

 

After a long summer of spending time enjoying upstate New York's wonderful summer weather, Autumn calls us back to sing! We will be meeting at 7:00pm in Community hall, Masks required. I look forward to seeing everyone and making beautiful music. 

 

See we one another clearly, Do we know who we are? - Harry Belafonte


-Olga

omartinez@albanyuu.org

UPCOMING WAYS to CONNECT

Start your Sunday Morning with VIRTUAL 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. PLEASE NOTE that meditation will be multiplatform - both in-person in the Sanctuary and online


Use this link to join remotely:

https://tinyurl.com/AlbanyUU-Meditation


By phone: 1-929-436-2866

Meeting ID: 299 018 7785

Password: 0000



Philosophy Group

At 10:15 AM every Tuesday, the Albany UU Philosophy Group will meet via zoom to discuss the topic of the day. 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



Bridge Group

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



Ps and Qs

At 10:00 AM on Wednesdays, Projects and Quilts (Ps and Qs) will meet in Room B-8. Due to the nature of this group, there will not be an online option offered unless otherwise noted.



Homecoming Sunday

10:00 AM, Sunday, Sept 11 marks the beginning of our regular service year. We will welcome you to the month of Belonging with Water Communion and a special photo montage. See above for more information. 

Homecoming Brunch

Plan on lunch after the Sept. 11 Sunday service! Everyone is invited to a light lunch in Channing Hall right after the service. Masks are optional. Please bring a “finger food” to share if you’re willing and able!! Drop food items off in the kitchen before service.



Walker Book Group

Join the Walker Book Group for a Zoom discussion on Sunday, September 11 at 6:30 pm. Join at 6:15 for additional time to socialize. We will discuss The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles.

Learn more here.


Use this link to join:

https://tinyurl.com/WalkerBookGroup

 

By phone: 1-929-436-2866

Meeting ID: 871 5139 8632

Passcode: 0000


Fall 2022 Circle Dinners!

Are you feeling a little isolated and disconnected? Do you crave interesting conversation and good food?


What are you waiting for? Sign up now for the Circle Dinner on Friday, September 16 from 6:00 to 9:00 pm. Learn more here.



Introduction to Mindfulness and Meditation

This course will provide you with the basics and more about mindfulness and meditation. 


The course meets once a week for 1.5 hours for 4 weeks.  Wednesdays, Sept 21, 28 and Oct 5, 12, 6:30-8:00 PM. We ask that you make a commitment to be at all 4 sessions. Learn more here.



Wellspring Sources

We are looking for participants in the Wellspring program this year.UU Wellspring is a spiritual deepening course for Unitarian Universalists meeting twice a month from the end of September to June. Learn more here.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Sesquicentennial Quilt Retirement & Replacement - We need your help!

At the Annual Meeting in May of 2022, the congregation voted to retire the Sesquicentennial Quilt. The resolution that passed overwhelmingly (88%) said:

Therefore, be it resolved that Albany UU accepts the recommendations of the Inclusivity Team and the Ministry and Operations Team to take down and preserve the Sesquicentennial Quilt, and convene a task force to propose a future for the quilt and the space it currently occupies subject to approval by the congregation.

Join us on Sunday, Sept 18 immediately following service to create that task force to develop:

  • an event to commemorate the quilt's retirement
  • documentation of the quilt's history
  • preservation and storage
  • draft guidelines for future public art at Albany UU and a replacement recommendation
  • make a presentation for a congregational meeting about how to use the space the quilt currently occupies

Contact Dick Dana (rhdana6@gmail.com)  if you have questions. Contact admin@albanyuu.org to get the Zoom link for this meeting.



Albany UU COVID update

With summer ending, AUU’s COVID Response Team met this week to review the state of the pandemic and update guidelines related to worship services and other congregational functions.  


Our guiding principles include: 

  • Keeping each other as safe as possible from COVID, including members of the congregation, staff, volunteers, and visitors.  
  • Remembering the needs of people with special vulnerabilities and helping them feel safe and welcome.
  • Recognizing that we owe staff special deference since they spend many hours every week interacting with the rest of us, putting themselves at risk for getting sick.
  • And from a 17th Century Latin text: “In necessariis unitas, in dubiis libertas, in omnibus caritas” or “In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberality; and in all things, love.”


VACCINATION:

For the protection of ourselves and each other, all those without contraindications are encouraged to be as fully vaccinated as possible. It was recently announced that an updated booster targeting new variants of the virus is expected in September for individuals age 12 and up. 


MASKS:

We will continue to require masks during activities that are core to the congregation’s mission: Sunday Services and Programs for Children and Youth.

In non-core functions, such as coffee hour or memorial services, masks are encouraged, but optional. 


CHOIR:  

Consistent with standard practices at UU congregations nationwide, masks continue to be required during rehearsals. During rehearsal, the music director has extensive exposure to many people’s breath and can’t wear a mask to lead the rehearsal effectively.

During performances, choir members may remove their masks temporarily.   

If a service includes wind musicians, they may also remove their masks while performing.

Seating arrangements will ensure ample space between performers and congregation, with seating available on the balcony and in Channing Hall for those with special concerns.


PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH:

Masks will be worn by all throughout indoor, in-person classes and groups.

No snack during class time; parents and caregivers can choose to attend Coffee Hour for refreshments if they wish. 


COFFEE HOUR:

Coffee hour will be held outside for as long as weather permits. 


OTHER EVENTS: 

Indoor coffee hour, homecoming brunch, memorial service receptions, and other events where eating is not the primary focus: masks are encouraged, but optional. 

Small dinners (under 20 participants), space tables as far apart as possible; masks encouraged, but optional.

Large dinners, such as Thanksgiving Potluck, will be handled on case-by-case basis, considering current pandemic situation. 


PERIODIC REASSESSMENT:

The COVID Response Team will touch base monthly to determine if policy changes are needed. If you have concerns to share with the group, please send a note to Tammy Goddard at admin@albanyuu.org.  




Important Reminders

  • All information about what's happening at Albany UU can be found on our website.
  • All information about regular occurring events and meetings, including Zoom links can be found here.
  • All information about other events can be found here.




A Rich and Rewarding Experience Awaits You at UU Weekend at

Silver Bay

Join us at the UU Weekend at Silver Bay from October 14-16, 2022.

Here are some highlights from the schedule of events for the weekend:

  • Keynote speaker, Pastor David Trayham, leading a discussion on building better racial and community relationships
  • Workshop topics including a proposal to bring the Hudson River into Albany, getting off fossil fuels, book discussions, and an opportunity to create art
  • Several hikes, a bird walk, a presentation by a wildlife rehabilitator including her five live raptors, a discussion of the islands and bays of Lake George, a presentation about a trek across Northern Spain, and boat tours
  • A full children’s program including movies, kite and bead making and games
  • Several live musical events
  • The annual auction (Bring and purchase gently used items.)

Remember – the cost is all-inclusive for room and board, activities and entertainment - including all meals from Saturday breakfast through Sunday lunch. Children under 6 are free, with substantial discounts for older children and youth. 

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

Note: Adaptions will be made to accommodate the status of the pandemic, if needed.

SOCIAL ACTION and INCLUSIVITY

From left to right:

Karen K., Jean P., Mitch C., Elizabeth B., Chuck M., Michael C., Guest, Deborah V., Marty H., Sam T.

Present but not in the photo are Lucy H., Lea R., Anne Marie H., and Archie.

Photo courtesy of Anne Marie Haber

Albany UU partners with Planned Parenthood

The Social Justice Team has launched a partnership with Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood to help them meet the needs of new patients who will be coming to Albany for abortion care now that Roe vs. Wade has been overturned. Working with UHPP, we have developed a multi-part plan that will involve as many members of the congregation as possible over the months (and years) ahead. Guided by UHPP’s needs and by what we can get started on quickly, our first project is to put together care boxes that are given to every patient after their abortion to help with recovery.  


As time goes by, our roles will expand to include raising funds to pay for patients’ travel expenses, providing childcare if a parent needs to bring children along to the appointment, and helping with community education about the continued availability of abortions in the Capital Region. 


For legal and logistical reasons, our work will not involve contact with the patients themselves, but we will free up staff to provide the direct care.


We need participants for a wide variety of roles, large and small: collecting/purchasing supplies to put in the care boxes, organizing and participating in box-filling events, and reaching out to members of the congregation who would like to contribute funds to purchase supplies.


Please join us for a meeting and work session on Thursday September 8 at 10:30am at 660 Mercer St. in Albany (Shannon Simpson’s house). We will provide an update on the situation in Albany, plan next moves, and start work on the boxes. Our aim is to fold 100 boxes, to be filled once we’ve collected the necessary supplies.


RSVP by sending your name and contact info to auu.abortion@gmail.com. If you have questions, please send them to the same email.


All are welcome!


Mary Applegate and Shannon Simpson, co-leaders



Stand Against Racism Vigil in Delmar

Join Albany UUs each Saturday to Stand Against Racism, in front of the Delmar Farmers Market at the middle school, 332 Kenwood Avenue, from 9:30 to 10 AM. Welcoming all - whether you live in Delmar, Albany, or anywhere nearby!



Black Lives Matter vigil in Troy

When: Saturdays,10:30-11:15 am

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

Learn more here.



Raise Your Voice for End of Life Choice

The campaign to pass New York’s Medical Aid in Dying Act is continuing!  In partnership with Compassion and Choices New York, Death with Dignity – Albany and New York UU Justice (NYUUJ), Albany UUs will not stop advocating until terminally ill New Yorkers have all the same options for end-of-life care as those in other states, including the right to seek medication for a peaceful death. We hope you will join us as the campaign prepares for the 2023 legislative session that begins in January. There is so much you can do in the next few months, and beyond.  Here is a sample. More will follow.   –- Nancy Willie-Schiff and Dave Munro

  • JOIN ALBANY UU E-GROUP. To get the latest information on educational and advocacy opportunities, email (admin@albanyuu.org) or call (518-463-7135) the office to ask to be added to the End of Life Choice e-group.
  • GET VOLUNTEER TRAINING. Watch a recording of recent Volunteer Training here. Contact Nancy at n.willie.schiff@gmail.com to get PowerPoint slides from that training session. Join volunteer training on August 31 and each month after that by emailing Amanda Cavanaugh at acavanaugh@malkinross.com with a request to get on her volunteer mailing list.
  • IDENTIFY YOUR INTERESTS. Complete a Volunteer Interest Form here to let the campaign leaders know how you would like to help.
  • CONTACT YOUR CURRENT LAWMAKERS. You can use a form found hereAssembly Member Phil Steck is the only lawmaker from the Capital Region who has consistently been a co-sponsor of the bill. Although some others have said that they would vote for the bill when it comes to the floor, it needs more co-sponsors to get to the floor for a vote. Assembly Members John McDonald and Jake Ashby are on the Assembly Health Committee, so their co-sponsorship is especially important.
  • ASK THE CANDIDATES. August 23 is the primary for State Senate candidates; November 8 is the general election. When candidates ask for your vote, ask them where they stand on Medical Aid in Dying and tell them you care about the issue.
  • SAVE THE DATES. Mark your calendar for the week of January 9-13, 2023, when special campaign events will focus on capital region lawmakers, and for Lobby Day on January 17 at the Capitol.



Inclusivity recommends the following book:


For children and adults:


Out of My Mind, by Sharon Draper. (2012).  "Eleven-year-old Melody has a photographic memory. Her head is like a video camera that is always recording. Always. And there's no delete button. She's the smartest kid in her whole school-- but NO ONE knows it. Most people--her teachers and doctors included--don't think she's capable of learning.... If only she could speak up, if only she could tell people what she thinks and knows... but she can't, because Melody can't talk. She can't walk. She can't even write. Being stuck inside her head is making Melody go out of her mind-- that is, until she discovers something that will allow her to speak for the first time ever... At last Melody has a voice... but not everyone around her is ready to hear it." ~from the back cover


Available from the Upper Hudson Library System in hardcopy, downloadable e- and audiobook, and CD audiobook formats.


Stay tuned for the sequel, Out of My Heart, next week!

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.




If this email was forwarded to you, and you would like to receive it directly, please

sign up here.

CONNECTIONS


Quick Links



Publication Schedule

Albany UU Website

Regular Events and Meeting Schedule

Event Schedule

Building Schedule

Sermon Archive



Denominational Affairs Links

Unitarian Universalist Association

UUA Worship Web App

UUA Leader Lab

UUA Book Store

UU World

Young Adults Revival Network.

Unitarian Universalist Service Committee

UUA Central Region East

Hudson-Mohawk UU

Governance & Leadership


Staff


Mission, Vision, Congregational Covenant


Volunteer!



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: registration@albanyuu.org

First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany

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 office@albanyuu.org).


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 Administrative Assistant Patience Pechette (518.463.7135 or office@albanyuu.org).


Photo credit: Rev. Sam Trumbore
First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany | 518.463.7135 | 518.463.1429 Admin@AlbanyUU.org | AlbanyUU.org
STAY CONNECTED
Facebook  Twitter  Instagram