WINDOWS WEEKLY April 14, 2022
Greetings Friends,


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

The Daily Reminder was not sent out this morning since there were no events to remind folks about today. Everything you need to know is right here in the Weekly. Daily Reminders will continue tomorrow morning. Thank you!

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-Blessings and Be Well
MULTIPLATFORM SUNDAY SERVICE


SUNDAY SERVICE at 10:00 AM

Begin your Sunday morning with a MULTIPLATFORM (both in-person and via Zoom) 8:30 Meditation session until 9:20

MULTIPLATFORM service (both in-person and via Zoom)
begins at 10:00 each Sunday

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

For more information about our services, check out our website.
Masks are required

April 17, “Easter Awakening” with Rev. Sam Trumbore
Spring flowers and warmer days signal the reawakening of the earth. Just as green life returns each year, we celebrate together in this family service the return of the life giving inspiration and teachings of Jesus that did not die.

Music: Randy Rosette, Lois Bailey, Isaac Alan, Katie Myers


Use this link to join the service remotely:

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”.
APRIL MULTIPLATFORM
SUNDAY SERVICE INFORMATION

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS!

New Member Sunday

We welcomed 10 new Albany UU members on Sunday, April 10. From left to right: Fred Scheper, Lucia Stimson, Patience Pechette, Danielle Schaff, Hillary Torres, Luis Torres, Nellson Jabobs-Moore, Stephanie Saunders, Kevin Yeh, and Karen Strong. More information and photos will be shared next week and on the bulletin board in Channing Hall. We the members of the First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany, gratefully acknowledge your choice to join with us in our continuing religious life.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION FOR
CHILDREN and YOUTH

This Sunday 4/17: Everyone is invited to the multi-generational Easter service in Community Hall or on Zoom at 10AM. RE groups will not meet that day.

Next Sunday 4/24: Yolles Garden Outing for grades PreK-6th meeting has been canceled. We are trying to put together a similar outing for May. All RE groups will meet at church. Children and youth through 8th grade should start out in service at 10 and will go to their rooms after the Wisdom Story. Youth Group meets in B8 starting at 10AM.

If you are just starting out with RE this year, please note registration is required due to COVID, it can be done online or in-person. Please do not let fees be a deterrent, what's important is the contact and medical info.

Note: Elizabeth is away until 4/25, please contact Paula Brewer at pbrewer@albanyuu.org if you have a time-sensitive matter.

Image by mizikar @ Pixabay


Elizabeth Baldes
Acting Director of Religious Education
WE'RE HIRING!

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:

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:

By phone: 1-929-436-2866 
Meeting ID: 987 7102 4708
Password: 0000


Bridge Group
Tuesdays, 1:00-3:00 PM, Room
B-8 at Albany UU. No matter how many people come, all are fitted into play. All are welcome and assumed vaccinated. Due to the nature of this group, there will not be an online
option offered.


The Social Justice Team meets on Tuesday, Apr 19 at 6:45 PM on Zoom. All are welcome to join.

Use the service link to join:

By phone: 1-929-436-2866
Meeting ID: 299 018 7785
Password: 0000
Ps and Qs
At 10:00 AM on Wednesday, Projects and Quilts (Ps and Qs) will meet.

Use this link to join remotely:

By phone: 929-436-2866
Meeting ID: 299 018 7785
Password: 0000


Albany UU Sings
Join your friends on the following Wednesdays for the rest of the service year at 7:00 PM and sing your heart out in Virtual Community! We will supply the music and the lyrics.

Hope to see you there.

Apr 13, 27
May 11, 25
June 8

Use this link to join:

By phone: 1-929-436-2866
Meeting ID: 979 5961 1765
Passcode: 0000


Memorial Service -
Richard Brewer
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Apr 23 at 2:00 pm in Community Hall, followed by a reception in Channing Hall. Contributions of finger foods for the reception are welcomed. We do have permission to use the UAlbany Hawley Lot for this event.


Memorial Service -
Tom Hotalen
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Apr 30 at 1:00 pm in Community Hall, followed by a reception in Channing Hall. Contributions of finger foods for the reception are welcomed. We do have permission to use the UAlbany Hawley Lot for this event.
ANNOUNCEMENTS

Important Staff Notes
Tammy Goddard, Church Administrator will be out of town April 16-19 and returning to the office April 20. Elizabeth Baldes, Acting Director of Religious Education will be out of town from April 15-25.


THANK YOU!
Albany UU members and friends donated a total of $4560.00 to the International Rescue Committee in support of refugees. Thank you so much for your support and generosity!


17th Annual Guided Wine and Cheese Tasting
In-person, Saturday, May 14, 7:00 PM in Channing Hall
Your UU Wineaux team is back for year 17! And we’re back in Channing Hall!
$30 per person. Sign up on Sunday mornings, send a check to the church with "wine and cheese" on the memo line or sign up and pay online: registration form here. Deadline to register: May 8.
Masks will be optional; social distancing will not be possible; covid vaccines and boosters or acquired immunity will be expected of attendees.
Space is Limited so sign up soon! Find more information about the event and raffle here.



Annual reports due May 9!
It's been ANOTHER challenging year for all of us, but we have adapted and done wonderful things this year despite the crazy. Let's celebrate those. Bring on your reports! If your team did not meet due to the pandemic, that's ok, just let Tammy know.

Our Annual Meeting will be both in-person and online, May 16.

The deadline for reports is Monday, May 9. If you have any questions about the annual report process, contact Church Administrator Tammy Goddard: admin@albanyuu.org.



CROP Hunger Walk – Taking Steps for a Better World
The CROP Hunger Walk raises funds for local food pantries, and for hunger and disaster relief programs around the world. Team UU has been active in the Albany Walk for more than 20 years, and in some years has been its biggest team! There WILL once again be a community CROP Walk, on May 1, and Team UU will be there. 
 
We still can’t lure you to the CROP Walk table at coffee hour to make a pledge – but we do urge your support for this good cause. The needs that the CROP Walk supports are real and continuing. You can click here to make an online pledge to Team UU. You can give a check (payable to CWS/CROP) to Dawn or Dick Dana at church on Sunday. Or, email Dawn at dawn.dana56@gmail.com for information on other ways to contribute. Thanks so much for your support!



A New and Different Auction is Coming!
Out of our cold Winter isolation, a new AUU Auction will bloom to promote community and raise already-budgeted income. Adapting to the vagaries of life in the time of COVID, the Auction will be in two parts. This Spring event will be in a fixed-price online format featuring only social activities and services that take advantage of the warmer weather, and homemade food items. In the future, when the fates allow, Martha Musser and the Auction Committee, are planning a more traditional, in-person event.

In order for the Committee to tailor these events so they include the largest possible number of our members and friends, we would like to know your answers to three questions:

  1. What sorts of items are of interest to you? In the past, home cooked meals (served or delivered) have been popular as well as pool parties, pet/baby sitting, hikes and vacation home stays. What sorts of items would attract you?
  2. Since success depends on donations, what items would you be willing to donate?
  3. Whether or not you donate something, what suggestions do you have for making the Auction successful? It takes the whole congregation to create a community.

Please send an email with your answers to all three questions to Auction@albanyuu.org by April 15th using the following format:

  1. Items I would like to bid on.
  2. Items I would like to donate.
  3. Suggestions for making this a successful online auction.

Once we have reviewed your responses, we will set a date for the Spring event. Fear not, we will be in touch.   The Auction Committee

 
End of Life Choice
This link enables you to access the three final documents from Death with Dignity-Albany’s 4/5/22 webinar on ‘Advance Planning for Health Care: Medical and Legal Considerations’ that featured Albany UU Rev. Dave Munro, Esq. and Schenectady UU David Pratt, MD. 



Rave Reviews for UU Weekend at Silver Bay
Friends, fun, foliage and fellowship await you at a fantastic setting on Lake George from October 14-16, 2022. This eagerly awaited highlight of the fall season features adult workshops focusing on creativity, physical activity and spirituality interspersed with relaxation and conversation. Children can look forward to a full array of age-appropriate activities
 

Access additional information about Silver Bay and the UU weekend, including a registration form, at http://albanyuu.org/uu-weekend-at-silver-bay/ A preliminary schedule will be posted in the coming weeks. Rooms will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis based on receipt of the completed registration form and accompanying deposit.

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

This June, Get Inspired at General Assembly!
General Assembly is the annual meeting of the Unitarian Universalist Association. It’s an immersive, inspirational experience that is open to everyone, whether you are a lifelong UU or just getting to know our congregation.  GA will take place in Portland, OR from June 22-26, as well as online. Our congregation is entitled to 7 delegates who vote on business matters, but our participation has often exceeded that.  
 
If you'd like to participate virtually or in Portland, please fill out this interest form. Registration and housing reservations are open now at uua.org/ga, and delegate registration fees will be reimbursed by Albany UU. Contact Peggy Sherman with questions, pegmcgsherman@gmail.com.
SOCIAL ACTION and INCLUSIVITY

BLM Vigil in Troy - Left to right are:
Elizabeth Berberian, Karen Kaufman, Jean Poppei, Deborah Vogel, Jora Cohen, Jean Bolgatz, Mitch Cohen, Sam Trumbore, and Marty Hotvet. Present at the vigil but absent from the photo are: Archie, Chuck Manning, and Anne Marie Haber.
Photo: courtesy of Anne Marie Haber
Raise Your Voice for End of Life Choice
Did you know that New York UU Justice (NYUUJ), our statewide advocacy organization, has made New York’s Medical Aid in Dying Act one of its legislative priorities for this year? Join committed UUs in Albany and other congregations to make this the year the bill will pass!

  • ZOOM CALL on April 14, 7:00-8:00 pm: Compassion and Choices New York invites you to an update on the campaign to pass New York’s Medical Aid in Dying Act and participate in break-out room discussions with other advocates. Register here.
  • ADVOCATE AT THE CAPITOL: Definitely plan to be at the Capitol on April 27, 10:00-4:00 for an in-person rally to advance New York’s Medical Aid in Dying Act. Register here. You can also come on other Wednesdays at 10 am to show lawmakers your support by registering here.
  • CONTACT YOUR LAWMAKERS: Let your lawmakers know you want them to support medical aid in dying as an end-of-life option for New Yorkers. If you are in Assembly Member John T. McDonald’s district, it is especially important to reach out to him, since he is on the Assembly Health Committee and his vote is essential. This link makes it easy for you, and allows you to personalize your message.
  • LEARN ABOUT ADVANCED HEALTH CARE PLANNING: If you missed the webinar on April 5, you can go here to learn about medical interventions (thanks to David Pratt, MD) and legal documents (thanks to Rev. David Munro, Esq.) to help you make decisions about your wishes and ensure your wishes are honored. 


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
EARTH MONTH ACTIVITIES

Green Sanctuary Earth Month Activities


April 22 – Climate Can’t Wait Earth Day Demonstration starting at Pine and Broadway in Albany at 11:00 with march to State Capital. Sign up here.

April 23 – Hudson River Clean-up starting at 1:00 Corning Preserve Park. Sign up here.
Call Kathy Harris for details.

April 25 – Film Screening of Youth vs. Gov 7:00 pm in the Community Room at Albany UU. Trailer for film : https://vimeo.com/687266805

April 30 – Rally “We all Breathe What They Burn – Close Norlite Now demonstration at the Governor’s Mansion 11:30. Sign up here.

May 1 - Sacred Ground Outside Your Door--a multi-faith gathering in awareness of the environment, its marvelous beauty and its disruption.  May 1 from 2-4 PM at Kingston Point Park. More information and registration here.  Contact Barb Spink to car pool.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION

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






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

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