News from First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany

Our siblings of Black Lives of UU have called UUs to engage in a second TeachIn on white supremacy. Albany UU is continuing to work to learn about and fight white supremacy culture. This work is difficult but when done in community it can be energizing. We will be joining hundreds of other UU congregations that have responded to the call and committed to a second TeachIn this weekend. What I hear from my colleagues of color, and read in the resources listed by BLUU, is that an important first strategy in dismantling white supremacy culture is to LISTEN. What better setting to practice listening across differences than in one of our multigenerational services?

Music: Richard Porterfield with guest vocalist Dr. Kyra Gaunt

THIS WEEK AT ALBANY UU

Joint HMUU/NYSCU event at Albany UU

Friday, Oct. 20, 7 pm concert

Saturday, Oct. 21, conference

This joint event will bring together our Hudson Mohawk UU (HMUU) Cluster of congregations (Saratoga Springs, Glens Falls, Schenectady, Albany and Kingston) with the New York State Convention of Universalists (NYSCU) Annual Meeting.

Friday night all are invited to hear the fabulous folk musician Dan Berggren . (No need to register for conference to attend concert.)

Saturday morning's keynote speaker will be retired UU minister from Rochester, New York, the Rev. Dr. Richard S. Gilbert delivering a talk titled, "Climate? Change?"

In the afternoon there will be eight different workshops after a delicious lunch. Register for the Saturday conference HERE.

Home Hospitality

is needed for attendees at the HMUU/NYSCU event. If you can host an overnight guest or two, Friday-Saturday, Oct. 20-21, please call the church office (518-463-7135) to let us know. Thank you!

THIS WEEK AT ALBANY UU

UU Humanists

Albany UU Humanists regularly meet on the third Tuesday of the month. The next meeting will be on Tuesday, Oct. 17 at 7 PM in Room B-8 at Albany UU.

All Sides Considered

Thursday, Oct. 19, 1:00 pm, Room B-7

This group seeks to explore liberal and conservative viewpoints in considering current social and political issues. All are welcome to join the discussion.

Get Connected Activity Fair!

Sunday, Oct. 22, in Emerson Community Hall immediately after the service. The Fair is a wonderful opportunity to learn about the many diverse activities and programs at Albany UU and how you can benefit from getting connected!

Representatives from a wide variety of groups, ranging from Religious Services, Gardening, Social Justice, Partner Church and the Caring Network, to name just a few, will be there to help in your exploration of opportunities that meet your personal interests while also deepening your connections within our community. Committees and programs that have not already done so can sign up to participate by letting Paula Moskowitz ( [email protected] or 518-439-6347) know of your interest. To make the whole experience more fun, there will be a raffle to participate in - one for kids and one for adults.
---Barb Manning and Paula Moskowitz, Co-Chairs

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.

NEWS AND UPCOMING EVENTS

Clear-Calm-Courageous!

Come spend Saturday, Oct. 28 from 9:30 - 4:30 learning and practicing basic skills in Effective and Compassionate Communication. Facilitated by Albany UU members, Jan McCracken and Philomena Moriarty, we will explore the intention and practice of nonviolent communication. All are welcome, regardless of experience. Please pre-register by Oct. 22.Child care provided with one week advance notice.

Circle Dinner

Friday, Nov. 10, 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.

To s ign up by email / phone or if you have questions : Complete the form in Windows and email it to John Sherman at [email protected] or call 518.669.3332 with your details. The deadline to sign up is Sunday, Oct. 29.

Common Read: Centering

This fall we will undertake a common reading of Centering: Navigating Race, Authenticity, and Power in Ministry, edited by Mitra Rahnema. This book, written and compiled by Unitarian Universalist religious professionals of color, works to put the stories and experiences of people of color in religious leadership roles at the forefront of our conversations about race and racial justice. The goal of the book is to "center" the voices of people of color in the conversations about leadership and power in our movement.

You are invited to join us for shared processing and discussion of this book over three sessions next month: Wednesdays, November 1, 8, and 15, from 5:30 to 7:00 pm in Room B-8. Participants are welcome to bring a bagged dinner. To sign up, email: [email protected].

Save These Dates!

Sunday, Nov. 19 for the annual soup and pie sale

Sunday, Dec. 3 for the annual holiday bazaar, with soups and pies

Thank you!

Thank you for your donations to the Give Away the Plate for the Sanctuary for Independent Media. YOU donated $933.05!

Bridge group

Tuesday, 1:00-3:00 pm

About three decades ago Mim Rider and Marge Collins started a bridge group at Albany UU: party bridge, "bridge for fun" for all skill levels, a social event for that game. If you like to play bridge, or want to learn to play bridge, come join us! All are welcome.

Feeling crafty?

Calling all folks who would like to make wood, metal, fabric, yarn and other crafted items at home for the December 3rd Holiday Bazaar. Please contact Sigrin Newell at 518.439.6705 or [email protected] if you have any questions.

Albany UU Directory available

Printed copies of the Albany UU Directory have a new location. They have moved to a more accessible shelf on the bookcase across from Amy's desk in the church office. Pick up your copy during office hours or on Sunday morning.

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!

Joys and Caring Corner

The Joys and Caring column will be continuing in this weekly email so that you can keep abreast of UU community news in a timely fashion.

Birthday: Peggy Slocum turns 97 on Oct. 17! Find her contact info in ChurchDB or call the office!

Social Responsibilities Council (SRC)

Raise Your Voice for End of Life Choice

October 24,12:15-2:00 in the Colonie Town Library, Death with Dignity Albany presents "Legal Planning for Your Final Years" with attorneys Margaret Vella and Aaron Carbone.
All are welcome to a Friday evening service at 7:30 on October 27 that focuses on thinking ahead about your end-of-life wishes and sharing them with loved ones, at Congregation Berith Sholom, 167 Third Street in Troy.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION NOTES

-Leah Purcell, Director of Religious Education

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

Shaping Change Event Oct 20-21

Join local UU's in an event here at Albany UU to hear from UU leadership from Upstate NY and our Unitarian Universalist Association on Shaping Change Transforming Our Congregations and Communities. Meet and share ideas local UU's interested in the same initiatives as you - Social Justice; Religious Education; Community Work; Racial Equality; and Religious Services. There is a component for senior high youth too. See below.

In Sunday school this week:

The nursery/toddler room opens at 9:45

This Sunday is a Multigenerational service. All children and youth are invited to join their families in Emerson for the 10:00 AM service. Our siblings of Black Lives of UU have called UUs to engage in a second TeachIn on white supremacy. Albany UU is continuing to work to learn about and fight white supremacy culture. Everyone has to start somewhere. And everyone has something to contribute. In this service we'll practice listening. The seating in Emerson will be in small groups. Families are encouraged to sit with other adults in the congregation. We'll practice listening across generational differences. And when it's time for sharing what you heard, the youth and children will be invited to speak first.

Parents of 7^th/8^th Grade OWL participants: check out this document wit h the schedule of workshops for October

Parent and Caretakers of Senior High Youth:

Check out this google doc of events sponsored by youth group outside Sunday school

Check out this google doc with more info about the YSOP trip, which is sponsored by Leah Purcell. Next YSOP events: Youth needed to do announcements in the service 10/22; Chalice necklace making workshop to raise money Nov 19 after Sunday school; Selling chalice necklaces (and other items) at the Albany UU Bazaar Dec 3 at Coffee Hour (parents needed to help with the Bazaar until youth group is over at 11:20)

Please fill out your RE Registration today, if you haven't already! You can fill it out online or print the form out and mail it to Albany UU; 405 Washington Ave., Albany, NY 12206.

Parents and Caretakers - check out this resource for you - A Handbook for Families.

You can check here when you have a question about our Religious Education Program, Like "What's the program look like this fall?" or "When are the Family Chapels and Mulitgenerational services?" or "What are the health guidelines to help me know when I can bring my child?" I'm always updating it, so check here first when you have a question.

Button, button, who's got a button - at home?

We're making name buttons for children who are new to us this fall and for anyone who needs one. If you're a returning family and your child needs a new button, please email Tammy Hathaway at [email protected].

Check out the RE Fall Calendar and the list of RE adventures for each group.

As always, feel free to contact Leah Purcell at [email protected] 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