First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany
PREVIEW 
 Thursday, Dec. 14-Thursday, Dec. 21, 2017

 
Sunday Schedule

9:00 AM
- Mindfulness Meditation

9:45 AM
- Nursery/Toddler rooms open

10:00 AM
- Multigenerational Service with Pageant in Emerson

11:00 AM
- Coffee Hour/Holiday Music Jam, Channing

1:00 PM
- Holiday Caroling
Quick Links...

December Windows 

 

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JOYS AND CARING CORNER

Karen Dewillers and her daughter were each involved in auto accidents recently. Thankfully, Karen is uninjured and her daughter's injuries are minor. Karen also has cataract surgery on December 14 on her second eye, which will allow her to get back to Albany UU and to her job in January.
 
We are sad to report that longtime Albany UU Lawrie Lierheimer died last Sunday. She will be remembered by many for her compassion and grace. Details of a service will be decided after the New Year.

You can now submit Joys and Sorrows for publication online. Find the form HERE.
ALBANY UU WEBSITES

Outreach:
albanyuu.org

Resources for members and friends:
members.albanyuu.org


TO SIGN UP FOR A CLASS OR EVENT:

-Send an email to

-Sign up at the Sign Up Site in Channing Hall

OR

-Call the church office, 518.463.7135

If childcare is offered for the event, please let us know you need it when you register. (Include names and ages of children.)
SERVICE


Sunday, December 17, 10:00 AM,  "Would You Like to Hold the Baby," Rev. Sam Trumbore, Leah Purcell, Eileen Casey-Campbell

This Christmas Pageant revisits the timeless story of Mary and Joseph, the Kings and the Shepherds, with the addition of a new character - a young stable girl. As Mary invites the girl to hold her Baby, so we are invited to embrace the deepest meaning Christmas holds for each one of us.

Music: Albany UU Choir led by Dr. Richard Porterfield
THIS WEEK AT ALBANY UU  

Congregational Conversations: Renaming Emerson Hall
Tonight, Thursday, Dec. 14 
7-8:30 pm, Channing Hall
The Board of Trustees and the Inclusivity Team invite you to this important conversation about whether the name of Emerson Hall represents the best of who we are and who we want to be. We'd like to hear from you.
 
Albany UU Parent Afternoon Out! 
Sponsored by the Rite of Passage group to help raise funds for our trip to Boston
 
Saturday, Dec. 16 - Noon - 4:00 pm
 
Drop off your kids at Albany UU and the Rite of Passage youth, adult mentors and Leah Purcell will entertain them while you have some time to yourself
(Think holiday shopping, wrapping gifts, cleaning the house, taking a nap- you get the idea!)  Details:
  • Cost per child is $10 with a maximum family cost of $30
  • Care provided for infants through 11 year olds
  • Snacks provided
Sign up by emailing Leah directly: dre@albanyuu.org 
Holiday Music Jam
The annual Albany UU Holiday Music Jam will take place this Sunday, Dec. 17 during coffee hour.  We play from the books Festive Strings and More Festive Strings, by Joanne Martin.  Music will be available in treble, alto, and bass clefs. The event is multi-generational, multi-level, and multi-instrumental.  There will be a basket of shakers and other percussion instruments available for those inclined to join in spontaneously.
If the instrument you play needs chord notation (guitar, accordion, etc.) or if you would like more information, please contact Anne Marie Haber at amhaber@aol.com or (home) 518.274.5541. 
Albany UU Humanists
The Albany UU Humanists meet next Tuesday, Dec.19  at 7:00 PM in Room B-8 at Albany UU.  Topics include Rev. Sam's Nov. 5 Vulnerable Humanism of the Heart .
Links to Humanism: the UU Humanists website at http://huumanists.org and the American Humanist Association's website at http://americanhumanist.org

For more information, sign up for the eGroup: Go to members.albanyuu.org, ChurchDB Member Login. Log in, or retrieve your password if you are a new user, click Groups, and add your name to the Albany UU Humanists. Or you may contact Don Odell (odell.don@gmail.com, (518) 482-4574), or the church office for assistance.
Free Community Singalong Update
The Free Community Singalong hosted at Albany UU is moving into an occasional gathering format, rather than weekly. We will announce any future gatherings in the congregation's publications and on the group's Facebook page.


Be sure to scroll down and check out the ways to support Social Action under our Social Responsibilities Council (SRC) heading. If you would like to learn more, stop by the SRC table during Coffee Hour on Sunday.
CALENDAR 
OF  HOLIDAY  EVENTS


Saturday, Dec. 16
4:00 pm 
Multigen Winter Solstice Celebration , Channing

Sunday, Dec. 17
10:00 am 
Multigen service with the Pageant , Emerson
11:00 am 
Music Jam at Coffee Hour
1:00 pm 
Caroling

Sunday, Dec. 24
10:00 am  "Blue Christmas"  in Emerson
6:00 pm 
Candlelight Christmas Eve service , Sanctuary
7:00 pm 
Cookie Reception , Channing
8:00 pm 
Candlelight Christmas Eve service , Sanctuary
 
Find more information about all these events  HERE.
NEWS AND UPCOMING EVENTS
 
 
Bring on the cookies!
Join us for a Cookie Reception between the Candlelight service s on Christmas Eve. Please bring cookies to share! You can simply bring them with you before the first service on Christmas Eve or drop them off at the church by Friday, Dec. 22. (Please note: the church office will be closed on Dec. 22, 12:00 noon -2:00 pm.) If you have questions please call the office: 518.463.7135.

Cookie Reception needs you!
In order for us to have our traditional Cookie Reception, we need volunteers to  either set out cookies (during first service) OR clean up and package leftovers (during second service). Are you available to help? Please contact the church office to express your interest. Thank you!

Mindfulness Meditation Workshop
This meditation training and practice workshop will be led by Rev. Trumbore, on  Friday, Jan. 12, 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm, and Saturday, Jan. 13, 8:00 am to 3:00 pm. It gives participants an opportunity to learn Buddhist mindfulness meditation techniques and/or refresh and deepen their meditation practice. All are welcome from first timers to experts. There will be a vegan potluck lunch on Saturday and all are encouraged to bring something to share.  (A voluntary donation can be offered at the end) Register by sending and email to  Registration@AlbanyUU.org

Circle Dinner - Save the date!
Saturday, Jan 13, 6:00 pm
Circle Dinners are "coordinated potluck" dinners shared by 6 - 9 Albany UU newcomers and old timers, friends and acquaintances of all ages, single or with partners. Our objective is to strengthen our Albany UU family by getting to know each other better while sharing conversation and delicious food in a relaxed atmosphere. We welcome everyone and want everyone to feel comfortable. 
Food allergies, dietary restrictions, and other specific personal needs, such as transportation requirements, are regularly accommodated. Those who want to include their children are encouraged to consider hosting a family Circle Dinner.

You can now sign up online! Click  HERE to check it out.

Attention Committee Chairs!
If your program, committee or group need funds in the next fiscal year, your budget request must be filed by Jan. 14. Contact Steve Moskowitz with questions: smosk@earthlink.net, 439.6347.

Save the Date for the next East of Hudson Potluck!
The Abbas family will host on Jan 19! More details to follow.

From the Religious Services Committee
Every once in a while we will hear from a person who has experienced a severe reaction to a fragrance worn by someone seated near them in Emerson Hall. As we anticipate the winter phase of the fall Sunday service schedule, we ask everyone to be sensitive to fellow congregants and use restraint when applying perfumes, colognes, after shave, etc. It will be appreciated by those who experience an acute sensitivity to fragrances.

Planning for weather emergencies
A decision to cancel RE classes will be publicized by 9:00 PM Saturday
A decision to cancel Sunday meditation and the service will be publicized by 8:00 AM Sunday.

The cancellation of all other classes, programs and meetings depends on a decision by the chairperson. We hope to receive information enabling a cancellation announcement two hours before the event start time.
Cancellations will be announced on our website (www.albanyuu.org), and by email sent through Constant Contact.
Warmth for the Homeless
It is time to gather blankets, sleeping bags, warm coats, etc. for the homeless. Please put them in the bin in the coatroom. Thanks for helping the homeless to keep warm this winter. 

Volunteer opportunities!
Would you like to be involved in the Sunday service in a more meaningful way? Head over to SignUp.com to find out about all the ways you can volunteer. We thank you and could not do it without you!
Denominational Connections
 
 
Black Lives of Unitarian Universalism: The Promise and the Practice of Our Faith
In late 2016, the Unitarian Universalist Association Board committed to raise and invest $5.3 million in the leadership of Black Unitarian Universalists. UUA President Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray has written, " This is about who we are. It is about who we are called to be. And it is about our collective commitment to nurture a radically inclusive, justice centered, multiracial and multigenerational religious faith for this time."

On Sunday, January 14, Albany UU will take up a special collection for the Promise and Practice of Our Faith Campaign for Black Lives of Unitarian Universalism (BLUU). Find out more about this campaign by coming to the Forum on January 7. If you would like to make your campaign gift in 2017, please make your check payable to Albany UU and put "BLUU" in the memo line. To qualify as a 2017 contribution, your check should be received by the church office by December 31.
Social Responsibilities Council (SRC)

SRC Suggests: 


Thursday, Dec. 14
Power to the People of Palestine & Puerto Rico Hanukkah Vigil - 4:30 pm at Townsend Park.  Find more info HERE .

Saturday, Dec. 16
6th Annual North Troy Justice and Peace Holiday Celebration
12:00 N - 5:00 pm at the Sanctuary for Independent Media, 3361 - 6th Ave. Troy.
Find more info HERE.

Green Sanctuary suggests:
   
Green Sanctuary will also sponsor a potluck on January 5, 2018. Bring a dish or pay $3.00 per person (maximum $10 per family) at the door.  The potluck starts at 6 p.m.  At 7:00, Meghan Marohn will give a slide presentation and will lead a discussion on Al Gore's efforts to fight climate change. Childcare will be available if you register in advance  by December 31, 2017. To register, see the ways to sign up for an event, above left. 

Don't forget that Albany UU recycles many things. Check out the "recycling" cupboard in the coat to see what we do!
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION NOTES
-Leah Purcell, Director of Religious Education

Keep up with what's happening for children and families and other events by visiting  


For the faith development of the children and youth this week:

Nursery/Toddler - starting at 9:45

Everyone will join together for the multigenerational Christmas service with the pageant in Emerson Hall at 10:00. (No OWL session.)

Parent Afternoon Out! THIS SATURDAY AFTERNOON, Dec. 16!
See above for more information.

Pageant Updates
We need a few more participants - Non-speaking roles are open - a magi, sheep, shepherds, barnyard animals. Let Leah know if your child is interested dre@albanyuu.org or simply come to the service on Sunday morning. There will be an opportunity near the beginning of the service to pick a part and a simple costume then. Playing an animal or shepherd is a great way for children to participate.

Those with speaking parts, please also plan to arrive in Emerson Hall at 9:15 this Sunday

Acolytes needed for both Christmas Eve services (6:00 and 8:00 pm)
Children and youth ages 10 and older are invited to serve as acolytes. The Acolytes' role is to have their candles lit first by Rev. Sam, then to light the candle of the person at the end of each pew. No speaking is required. Please email Tammy in the office to let her know of your interest: office@albanyuu.org. 

Guest at Your Table -is the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee's annual intergenerational program to raise support for and awareness about the committee's work to advance human rights. UUSC's grassroots partners make a big difference in their communities, and so does your participation in GAYT. That is why this year's program theme is Small Change is Big Change. You can be part of the change by reading and discussing the Stories of Hope - the stories of four people that the UUSC partners with. You can pick up your copy at the RE Window in the lobby on a Sunday or read it on line here.  
Another way to support the UUSC is to make a monetary donation. Families often place a donation box on their tables during the winter holidays and invite family members to put money in as they are willing and able. Guest at Your Table boxes are being distributed in Sunday school this Sunday. You can also pick up boxes at the RE Window in the lobby on a Sunday. You can also donate to the UUSC by writing check or donating on line.  More info  here.
Please bring your boxes or checks to the RE Office Window by January 21. For more info contact Leah Purcell dre@albany UU.org. 

As always, feel free to contact Leah Purcell at dre@albanyuu.org with questions.
First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany

 

Phone: 518.463.7135

 

Address: 405 Washington Ave., Albany NY 12206

Main entrance is on Washington Avenue. Rear entrance is on West St. Both have ramp access. The building is fully handicapped accessible.


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 downtown campus parking lot: the Hawley Lot on Robin Street at Washington Avenue.

 

Office hours:

September-June: Monday-Friday, 9:00-3:00
July-August: Monday-Thursday 9:00-1:00