Windows Weekly August 23, 2018
Albany UU Windows Weekly
Greetings,
Welcome to Windows Weekly, Albany UU's email news and updates. We have combined our Weekly Preview email and our monthly Windows newsletter into one central source for all things Albany UU! This means that instead of a monthly newsletter, you will receive a weekly email newsletter. We hope you're enjoying this new way of receiving news - we welcome your feedback.
-Blessings
W e welcome everyone. Our Unitarian Universalist community seeks truth and deeper meaning, pursues justice through inspired action, and cultivates compassion and love for all connected by the web of life .
Sunday Service 10:00 AM
August 26, "I know something you don't know," Rev. Lynn Ashley

This singsong taunt that may haunt us from the playgrounds of our childhoods may serve to remind us of the power associated with knowing secrets. It may serve as well to remind us there could be a price associated with knowing those secrets. The lessons associated with price and power, connected with some of the most powerful secrets of our families and associations (some of them carried throughout the generations); and the sense of being ‘in’ or ‘out’ (depending), are likely to influence the course of our lives.  
 
Rev. Ashley is a longtime friend of Albany UU where she was ordained. Recently retired, she lives in Voorheesville with her husband and their cat. 

Music: Ann Brandon

Summer Meet Up in Washington Park is also this Sunday, Aug. 26
Everyone is welcome!
Join families and other adults from Albany UU to picnic and play in Washington Park after the service (around 11:30). Bring your own lunch, chairs, blanket and your favorite lawn games. We’ll meet near the playground. Bring a friend! It's a great time to invite families you know who are interested in our community!

Our Last Summer Sunday


September 2, "A Dark Night of the Soul - In Which You Take an Exquisite Risk," Diane Cameron

A new year begins at Labor Day, and we look around our lives and ask, “What comes next?” and “What should go?”, and we welcome the inevitable invitation to take a risk.

Diane is passionate about advocacy for people living in poverty and for family caregivers. She is a director at Unity House in Troy and is also a spiritual coach and retreat leader.

Music: Randy Rosette
Thank you to all who have participated and continue to participate in our Sunday Summer services!

Summer at Albany UU

Our summer services continue through September 2.
How is a summer Sunday at Albany UU different from other Sundays?
--The 9:00 am  Meditation  continues.
--We have  Service  at 10:00 am. Summer services are coordinated by Randy Rosette, with a delightful list of guests in the pulpit. 
-- Childcare is offere d for children ages 7 and younger. Youth and children age 8 and up attend the service with their families.
-- Coffee Hour  becomes Iced Tea and Lemonade (in Community Hall Alcove.)
--The  people  you've enjoyed all year are still here, plus it's a time we often have visitors who are on their summer voyages from elsewhere.
--Contributions of  flowers from your garden  for the service are welcome!
-- If you can volunteer to help  on a Sunday, we have openings for Greeters and Ushers. Sign up  here  anytime! You can also call the office, 518-463-7135, or sign up at members.albanyuu.org under Volunteer Opportunities.
--For more information about Summer Sundays, click  here.
--Note that office hours for August are: 9:00-1:00 M-Th.


Keep sending your news!

As we move swiftly ever closer to the end of summer (gasp!) and the beginning of our church year on September 9, this is another reminder to share your news! Please send in your news to be published in our Windows Weekly email newsletter (the publication you're reading at this moment!)

Windows Weekly is now our only email publication going forward.

It’s important to get news to our congregation about upcoming events, classes, forums, and issues
Send it all in to windows@albanyuu.org .
Thank you so much!

A change in staff office hours

We have a change in our Administrative Assistant's office hours. Sapphire will be at Albany UU:

Monday - 9:00-2:00 pm
Tuesday - 9:00-2:00 pm
Wednesday - off
Thursday - 12:00-5:00 pm
Friday - 9:00-2:00 pm

Sapphire can help you with all room reservations and rentals, AV equipment, name tags, key fobs, Sunday Hospitality, to name a few.

Calling all Albany UU Women!

Julie Lomoe hopes to start a women's group this fall at Albany UU, and she'd like to hear from other interested women in the congregation. The group would meet one or two weeknights a month. It would be leaderless, with rotating facilitators. Watch for more information at the beginning of September. In the meantime, you can reach Julie at julielomoe@gmail.com , to let her know if you're interested and especially if you'd be wiling to help coordinate the group. 

Are you ready for Wellspring?

UU Wellspring™ is a 10-month program of distinctly Unitarian Universalist spiritual development. It’s is designed to practice deep listening through small group connection, monthly spiritual direction, commitment to a personal practice, and reading for reflection. Wellspring celebrates the depth and breadth of our rich religious tradition. Please consider joining this year’s group! There are a few spaces left in our introductory program, “Sources,” that we hope to fill by mid-September. For more information, contact Jan McCracken or Sharon Babala. To register, send an email to: registration@albanyuu.org


Summer Sunday Schedule

9:00 AM
- Mindfulness Meditation
9:45 AM
- Childcare rooms open (ages 7 and younger)
10:00 AM
- Service, Community Hall
11:00 AM
- Fellowship Hour - Community Hall Alcove




Quick Links


Sign up for a class or event

- Send and email to: registration@albanyuu.org
- 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, including names and ages of children.


Board of Trustees 2018-2019

Officers

Trustees          

Ex-officio Members
Sam Trumbore, Minister
Jim Hutchins, Chair, Religious
Education Council
Matt Lesniak, Chair, Social Responsibilities Council

Elected Officer (not on Board of Trustees)
Seth Edelman, Assistant Treasurer


Staff

Minister
Rev. Sam Trumbore, minister@albanyuu.org  

Church Administrator
Tammy Hathaway, admin@albanyuu.org

Director of Religious Education
Leah Purcell, dre@albanyuu.org

Music Director
Dr. Richard Porterfield,
            music.director@albanyuu.org

Administrative Assistant
Sapphire Correa, office@albanyuu.org

Religious Education Assistant
Elizabeth Baldes, reassist@albanyuu.org

Custodian
Izzy Wright
SAM'S OUTLOOK
Who Are We and Where Are We Going?
As we begin our fall season and kick off another year in our congregational life, I’m moved by our theme of the month of September, “vision,” to reflect on our congregation’s direction and identity. Institutional identity is often framed using mission and vision statements. While we do have a mission statement, I realized we don’t have a vision statement.
When we were finishing our “Building Up, Reaching Out,” building expansion project eleven years ago, we realized it was time for a strategic plan to actualize its potential. We developed a very nice one (you can read it here http://members.albanyuu.org/wp/pdf/strategicplan.pdf ) but nowhere is the vision identified from which the plan was built. Usually the mission identifies the core values and purposes of an organization. Its vision expresses the specific way it wants to bring that mission to life. The strategic plan lays out how to get there through goals and objectives. Our strategic plan assumes an unstated vision that I would like to attempt to name here using my years of experience and ministry at Albany UU as my guide.

First, let’s remember the congregation’s mission. The vision needs to be consistent with its purposes and values. Our mission states:

We welcome everyone . Our Unitarian Universalist community seeks truth and deeper meaning, pursues justice through inspired action, and cultivates compassion and love for all connected by the web of life.








                                                                                  - Rev. Sam


Read Leah's bog here:


CHECK IT OUT!
Check out the RE Newsletter as we look ahead to fall and the line up for children and youth. Save the date for a Parent/Caretaker Orientation Sept 30!
CALL TO ACTION
Volunteer Opportunity at Sheridan Preparatory Academy
We will celebrate the grand opening of the Sheridan Prep playground on September 14 at 3:00 pm. Everyone is welcome. Albany UU has made substantial contributions to making this wonderful, new playground possible.

In preparation for the celebration, the district has re-sealed the asphalt surface and installed a basketball hoop, purchased with Albany UU’s help. Now we need volunteers to paint stenciled designs on the playground, such as a basketball key, hopscotch and other fun activities. No experience or talent is necessary for this work. 

We will be painting on Tuesday, August 28 and/or Wednesday, August 29 for three or four hours beginning at 9:30 am.

This would be a great opportunity for families to learn about Sheridan Prep. The Religious Education classes donated some of their Family Chapel money to the playground; so many children already have an interest in it. Leah Purcell will be on hand at SPA the morning of August 28 to welcome families to the project. Youth can help with the painting; younger children can serve water and lemonade to the painters. If your family is interested in participating, please contact Leah at dre@albanyuu.org or just come by and bring a jug of water or lemonade, if you can.

If you can join us, please email Martha Musser ( mussermartha@gmail.com ) with the date that you are available to help. Thanks to everyone for their help in creating this playground.

HOMECOMING SUNDAY
September 9
Bring water (real or virtual) gathered during your summer (at home or away) to symbolize the regathering of our community.

Send a couple photos by Sept. 1 of your summer activities for inclusion in the slideshow to: photos@albanyuu.org .

Plan on lunch after the service! Everyone is invited to a light lunch in Channing hall right after the service. Please bring a “finger food” to share (no utensils and no heating up needed!): sandwiches (cut in half), raw veggies, fruit, cheese and crackers, deviled eggs, or other appetizers. Drop off your contribution that morning in the kitchen. This is a nice time to catch up with friends and meet some new people after the summer’s activities. See you then!
Sign up for Meaning Matters

Coordinated by Rev. Sam Trumbore
A great way to get connected through a small group at Albany UU is through Meaning Matters. Meaning Matters focuses on sharing personal experiences, questions and insights centered on the theme of the month. The groups use a packet of material distributed by email in the beginning of the month. It includes a couple of short essays, deepening exercises, a list of questions, a couple of pages of quotes, links to articles, videos, books and movies on the theme that can be used as a source of reflection to prepare for the meeting. Do as much or as little as you have time for that month. The meetings are directed toward exploring the theme as a source for seeking truth and deeper meaning and facilitates connections between group members.

Meaning Matters is open to everyone. Please contact the office (518-463-7135) or Rev. Trumbore or visit our member web site for registration information.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Walker Book Club
Get ready for the September 9, 5:30 pm discussion of the Walker Book Group by reading the longer, summer book, Pachinko by Min Jin Lee. This book was selected as one of The New York Times Book Review’s 10 Best Books of 2017. Bring your favorite dish to share and a small contribution to cover beverages. Find more information here !

Bring the People and Pets You Love!
Sign up for a photo session at Albany UU and bring your family and friends – including the four-legged members! It’s easy to make an appointment to make sure that you are part of the new Albany UU Photo Directory:
·          Sunday after the service
·          Call a Lifetouch representative at 1.866.756.0281 and tell them you want to schedule a photo session for the First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany.

Find more information here !

Changes in Store for UU Weekend at Silver Bay
The William Boyd Center, housing the new state-of-the art dining room, the opportunity for upgraded lodging, and a new space for the auction and social hour, awaits us!

Please join us for UU Weekend at Silver Bay from October 12-14, 2018 . Find more information here !
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
Job opening at Albany UU
We are accepting applications for a Lead Youth Adviser. Complete information can be found at albanyuu.org/employment
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Sunday Volunteers
Would you like to be involved in the Sunday service in a more meaningful way?
Visit Sunday Hospitality Sign Up to find out about the ways you can volunteer on Sunday morning. We thank you and could not do what we do without YOU!

Gardening Volunteers
Do you have two hours to contribute to maintaining the gardens surrounding Albany UU? The Gardening Committee welcomes you to sign up here , where you can select which week(s) you'd like to help. Volunteers often work in pairs. No experience necessary. For more information or to receive e-mail updates, please contact Donna Meixne r or 518/439-5947.

RE Spaces Need Beautification
  • Elizabeth B. and Leah P. are setting up the RE Rooms and they are looking spiffy! They could use a few more people to help us with the bulletin boards in the rooms and in the hallways to welcome the children and youth. Do you have a few hours to help out during the day or evening? Creativity appreciated, but willingness to help out to get things up is valuable too. Send an email to Leah at dre@albanyuu.org or to Elizabeth at reassist@albanyuu.org.
 
  • Do you know how to do "lazure painting"? There is a blank wall in room 26 (where the 2nd/3rd grade Moral Tales Group will meet) that is calling to be beautified before the start of the Sunday school year. Are you a DIY-er with experience in a glaze painting technique like “lazure painting”? A wall of soft color could be a wonderful feature for this room; it doesn’t have to be a rainbow. Contact me at dre@albanyuu.org if you’d be up for this project. The RE budget will cover the supplies. Rose Tell-Drake is willing to learn; if there is someone who has experience with this, Rose and Leah P. would love your help. The first day of Sunday school is Sept 16th. 


See also - volunteer opportunities under the SRC heading below.
RELIGIOUS EXPLORATION
-Leah Purcell, Director of Religious Education and Family Ministry, dre@albanyuu.org

Keep up with what's happening for children and families and other events by checking out   Leah's e-News .
 
On Sunday, the childcare rooms open starting at 9:45 AM (ages 7 and under)
 
Summer calendar at a glance:

- Summer Session of Religious Services and Childcare through Sept. 2:
   *Childcare for infants through age 7
   *Children and youth ages 8 and up will attend the service with their families
- September 9  - Multigenerational Homecoming and Water Ceremony Service
- September 16  - Sunday School Resumes

RE Volunteers – mark your calendars for a development session on Saturday, Sept 8, 9:00-noon
This is an important meeting for those of you volunteering in RE this fall – Sunday morning group leaders, nursery/toddler volunteers, and youth advisers. Please complete this doodle poll to RSVP https://doodle.com/poll/8x9csrgadgyctyqp . Prevent Child Abuse NY will give a presentation on signs of child abuse and neglect and other safety concerns, including screen use. I’ll give a review of our Safe Congregation Policy. The other half of the session will be devoted to team meetings; I have an activity for you to get the children and youth involved right away in feeling comfortable and a part of your group. Bring your calendars because you'll want to create your schedule of volunteering to lead and assist this fall.

Now is the time to register your child for 2018- 19 RE!  
Avoid the rush and register your child for RE today  on line  and pay the registration fee  on line  too! You can also pick up a paper copy in the RE Office or ask the office to mail one to you. Make your check out to Albany UU and put RE Registration in the memo line or pay in cash. Call the office at 463-7135 or email Leah at dre@albanyuu.org with questions.
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES COUNCIL (SRC)
-Matt Lesniak, SRC Chair, email

Pull tabs for Ronald McDonald House - Kathy Harris
A few people at Albany UU have been joining me to deliver gallons of tabs over the last few years to the local Ronald McDonald House on Lake Avenue. Thank you especially to Josh and Reese Satin. This collection is an on-going effort that I am committed to continuing. I would love people’s donations and have placed a container on the collection station in the coat room that I will check periodically. This is really quick and really easy – even kids can get in on this project! Check out the flyer!

Raise Your Voice for End of Life Choice
Ask a Candidate.  It’s election season, with a primary on September 13 and a general election on November 6. Make sure you are registered to vote. When a candidate asks for your vote, or when you are deciding on your vote, you can ask whether a candidate supports medical aid in dying. If you click here to take the pledge to “Ask the Candidate,”  Compassion and Choices New York will send you everything you need to be successful in your efforts. (NOTE: You are not required to make a financial pledge, regardless of where the website routes you.)

Advanced Care Directives: The Dementia Provision. Death with Dignity Albany invites you to attend a presentation by Judith Schwartz, RN, PhD, and the Clinical Director of End of Life Choices New York, on September 12 from 11:30-1:30 at the Bethlehem Public Library . Find more information here .

Volunteers requested 
PAUSE (People of Albany United for Safe Energy) has partnered with the city of Albany to turn the Albany Jazz Festival into a zero waste event. On  Saturday, Sept. 8, 1:00-9:00 pm  they will attempt to redirect vendors and the public alike from throwing their food waste into the trash. They will provide compostable buckets and bags for the refuse instead.  

PAUSE is asking for help.

Please see the  flyer   for details. The most important thing you can do is to let Sandy Steubing know that you can help on Sept. 8 by devoting an hour or two of your time. 
Sandy Steubing 518-268-7045 or ssteub@gmail.com.
JOYS and CARING CORNER
To share your Joy or Sorrow with our Albany UU community, you may submit it on a yellow card during the service or by using our online form.

Need to Talk? Albany UU Pastoral Care Associates are here to listen!
Our Pastoral Care Associates have been trained in compassionate listening skills and are available to all members and friends of our congregation. To contact a Pastoral Care Associate, email: listeners@albanyuu.org , contact Rev. Sam Trumbore , the Albany UU office at 518.463.7135, or one of them personally. They are: Chuck Manning, Phil Rich, Randy Rosette, Sandy Stone, Lisa Barron, Donna Meixner and Dee VanRiper.
Regular events and meetings
Exceptions: It’s still summer when many of the “regular" activities listed below take a vacation. Call the church office if you want to find out if an event or meeting will take place.
Check Windows Weekly for changes to date, time and location. 

Sundays        
5:30 PM       Walker Book Group (2nd)
11:45 AM      Green Sanctuary Committee (1st)
11:45 AM      Social Responsibilities Council (3rd)
Mondays        
6:15 PM        Religious Education Council (1st)
Tuesdays       
10:00 AM      Philosophy Discussion (weekly)
1:00 PM        Bridge (weekly)
7:00 PM        UU Humanists (3rd)
Wednesdays
10:00 AM      Projects & Quilts (weekly)
7:00 PM        Choir Rehearsal (almost weekly)
Thursdays     
1:00 PM        All Sides Considered (1st & 3rd)
7:00 PM       Program Coordinating Council (2nd)
7:00 PM       Board of Trustees (3rd)
Going to miss a Sunday?

You can listen to the entire Albany UU Sunday service at home or on your mobile device. The two most recent services are available as MP3 files on the Albany UU member resource website. Here is how to access:

username: fuusan, password: Emerson405.

Our sermon archive (select Ministry/Sermon Archive on the left website menu) has pdf files of sermons texts (when available) and audio files of sermons. You can also request the office put a service on a CD.
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
September-June: Monday-Friday, 9:00-3:00
July-August: Monday–Thursday 9:00-1:00

Websites
General: www.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 Sapphire Correa (518.463.7135 or office@albanyuu.org ).
First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany | 518.463.7135| 518.463.1429 | Admin@AlbanyUU.org | AlbanyUU.org