Greetings,
Welcome to Windows Weekly, Albany UU's central source for news and updates. Feedback is always welcome. Enjoy!
-Blessings
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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
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October 28, “How Can We Be a Sanctuary For Each Other,” Rev. Sam Trumbore and Leah Purcell
Sanctuaries can be a physical place that we go for safety, protection, sustenance and renewal. A congregation like ours can also offer it by the community we create for each other. One important way we do this is by honoring the births, deaths, marriages and major life transitions in our lives. The metaphor we’ll be working with is an umbrella.
NOTE:
This is our Wheel of Life service, traditionally on the last Sunday of October. Anyone who has experienced a major life transition is invited to bring a picture, a symbol, or a memento of that event. It can be brought forward during service to honor that transition (and may be retrieved after service ends).
We will also be dedicating Crystal Taylor-Papps and Sean Papps' son, William.
Music
: Albany UU Choir and Youth Choir led by Richard Porterfield
The hymns we will be singing are:
HYMN 322 “Thanks Be for These”
HYMN 326 “Let All the Beauty We Have Known”
HYMN 354 “We Laugh, We Cry”
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Sunday Services
10:00 am
November 4, "America: The Minority Report," Rev. Sam Trumbore
White supremacy is deeply imbedded in American history and governing. It wasn’t what has made our country great and not what we want to return to. Whether we regress to more racism, sexism, homophobia and ableism is up to you.
Music:
Helderberg Madrigal Singers with Randy Rosette,
piano
November 11, "America: The Glorious Vision," Rev. Sam Trumbore
The beautiful vision of self-government by the people aligns with principles embedded in UUism. True patriotism, what we ask our soldiers to fight and die for, is the ground we need to claim as we resist the fascist tendencies in ascendency in our society today.
Music:
Chris Bystroff plays
Ashokan Farewell
;
Albany UU Choir sings music of Irving Berlin and Carly Simon
November 18, "America: Our Responsibility," Rev. Sam Trumbore
The beautiful vision of America depends on active citizens embodying it, being involved in the political process, and defending our core values. That requires our attention, engagement, participation and our vote. This is true both in our nation and in our congregation.
Music:
Albany UU Choir sings music of John Lennon and Stephen Sondheim
November 25, “The Sabbath of Humanity,” Joe Paparone
Sabbath is often understood as a time of rest, but material injustice means some people never get to rest. In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus confronts the rules and rhythms of Sabbath and reframes Sabbath as a justice vision for society
Joe Paparone
is the lead organizer of the Labor-Religion Coalition of NYS, and Coordinating Committee member of the NYS Poor People’s Campaign. His work involves organizing faith communities, labor unions, and community groups in the struggles for racial, social, and economic justice. A life-long New Yorker, Joe lives in Albany with his wife Lesley and their dogs, Artax and Nym. He is currently pursuing ordination in the Mennonite Church USA.
Music
: Richard Porterfield with piano music of Leoš Janáček and Ruth Crawford Seeger
Announcements
Focus Food Pantry
Please consider a contribution to the Focus Food Pantry this Sunday. There will be an envelope in the order of service for your check or cash. Thank you for helping.
Albany UU snow removal
Do you yearn for winter and snow? Do you like playing with equipment and shovels? If you answered yes, then you might be excited to learn that Albany UU is now looking for reliable volunteers to provide snow removal services for the church this season. This requires physical capability, flexibility and a sense of humor! If we cannot find a willing volunteer, we will have to find the money to pay for professional services. Can anyone recommend a good contractor who is willing to do sidewalks? Please contact the church office 518.463.7135 with questions, recommendations, for more information, or to express interest. Thank you!
Send in Your Photo for the New Directory by November 4
Couldn’t make it to a photo appointment? We still want you to be part of the new Albany UU photo directory! E-mail your photo (at least 250 dpi and preferably in horizontal format) to
Peggy Sherman
by Sunday, November 4. If your photo was taken by a professional, there is a release that the photographer needs to sign.
Can you spare 2 or 3 hours to welcome and sign people in for their photo appointments at Albany UU? A few volunteers are still needed for Friday afternoon, 10/26, and Saturday morning and afternoon, 10/27. Please let Peggy Sherman know if you are interested.
Find more information
here.
The Holiday Bazaar Needs You!!!
Are you an artist, crafter, knitter or avid Pinterest fan? Do you love to make things? The annual
Holiday Bazaar on Sunday, December 2
needs your creative talent. We are looking for items that would make great small gifts or stocking stuffers for adults, children or pets, holiday crafts and gifts for the home - whatever you can imagine and make. Please contact Sigrin Newell with your ideas or questions: 518-439-6705 or
sigrin.newell@gmail.com
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Warmth for the Homeless
It's that time again to gather blankets, sleeping bags, and warm coats, etc. Please put them in the bin in the coatroom to be given to those who are homeless. Thank you for helping.
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Sunday Schedule
9:00 AM
- Mindfulness Meditation, Sanctuary
9:45 AM
- Nursery/Toddler Rooms open
10:00 AM
- Multigenerational Service, Community Hall
11:00 AM
- Coffee Hour, Channing Hall
- Artist Reception, Channing Hall
- Library Open House
11:30 AM
- Green Sanctuary Committee, B-7
11:45 AM
- Social Responsibilities Council, B-8
Quick Links
Sign up for a class or event
- 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
Education Council
Elected Officer
(not on Board of Trustees)
Minister
Church Administrator
Director of Religious Education and Family Ministry
Music Director
Dr. Richard Porterfield,
Music Associates (volunteer)
Randy Rosette, Chris Jensen
Administrative Assistant
Religious Education Assistant
Lead Youth Adviser
Tracey Hickey
Custodian
Izzy Wright
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What Stays With Us?
My wife Philomena teases me about being a sentimentalist. I love that nostalgic feeling of remembering times past that are no more. I’ve always been like this. Even when I was a teenager, I would walk past my elementary school and have strong feelings of nostalgia for the good old days when I was in first grade remembering my wonderful first grade teacher Mrs. Logan. After I moved to California in my 20’s, whenever I’d return to Newark, Delaware I’d have major nostalgia moments walking down to the old decrepit and mostly abandoned railroad station to watch the Metroliner trains zoom by at top speed. When we were in high school, best friend Geoff, who was best man at our wedding (and now gone may he rest in peace), and I would walk down to that train station together, knock back a can of soda and complain about not being attractive to the young women we were interested in. We bemoaned the cruelty of fate that life was passing us by just like these fast trains were leaving us behind on the platform of life. Oh, the bitter-sweet existential anguish we enjoyed!
When our son Andrew was born in 1992, we didn’t have cell phones to record all the special moments of our child’s life. But I did get my first video camera. So we have A LOT of video of those early years. Nothing can get my nostalgia going like watching those videos and remembering those happy years living in Florida as a young family. Andrew didn’t inherit this nostalgia gene from me. When I suggest he watch them, he gets disgusted and would be happy to discard all my old videotapes.
Nostalgia isn’t something I experience just for my childhood or family. I experience it here in our congregation too. When I look through old photo directories, I am always moved by the faces of the people who have died. I remember devoted members of our congregation that gave so much of themselves to the life of our congregation. I remember happy times and events we participated in together. Some of those members I have on video that I can watch again and re-experience their vitality that I enjoyed.
As I reflect on those experiences now with many years of life that have past, I ponder just what happens inside me as I remember the past. As we are learning from contemporary research, what we remember is quite likely not what actually happened. This is one of the interesting things about having as much video of my life as I do. Philomena and I have a video of our wedding ceremony. We have video of Andrew’s first steps. I have recordings and video of services I’ve done here. I have video of the first sermon I gave in my internship at First Unitarian Church in Rochester, New York in 1988! I can check my memory of what actually happened and can document the drift that happens in my own remembering – though I do tend to have a pretty good memory of what actually happened.
What interests me more than getting the facts of what happened is remembering the feelings. Though my face might reveal what I was feeling, the videotape can’t capture them. At our wedding, the Rev. Carl Thichener, the UU minister who introduced Philomena to me, started on the second page of the script for the service. At that moment, I realized he was nervous as he was doing our wedding. It had the effect of putting me completely at ease, even though Philomena and I were going to read a poem to each other that we’d memorized and we would be speaking our vows to each other from memory (we are both performers at heart).
In my spiritual life, I have had some very intense experiences that called me to ministry and continue to motivate and shape it. They continue to live in my memory, not as experiences I want to have again necessarily, but as tastes of being alive that is vital, connected, connecting, and present. Rather than wanting to return to them, like recreating a perfect summer day with sunshine, soft breezes, and good company, I ask myself, what are the barriers that prevent me from experiencing that kind of consciousness right now?
My favorite way to use memory is to cultivate loving kindness. The reservoir of positive memories is a refreshing source that can fill up my heart when times are difficult and I feel dry, disconnected and thirsty for love. When times are hard, these memories are very valuable ways to stay connected with the Spirit of Life and find meaning and purpose again. In these conflictual times, we need all the resources we can muster to keep hate out and hold love in.
Rev. Sam
More from our blogs:
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Upcoming Learning and Discussion Opportunities with the Minister!
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Building a House for Hope with Rev. Trumbore
Six sessions, Nov. 6, 13, 27, Dec 4, 11, 18, 7:00 pm, Room B-8
Deepen your appreciation for our Unitarian Universalist purposes, principles, history, values, and traditions using the excellent book
House for Hope
by Rebecca Parker and John Buerhens. Find out more
here
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Mindfulness Meditation Workshop
Nov. 9-10
Rev. Sam will be leading a meditation workshop/practice session Friday, from 6:00 pm till 9:00 pm and Saturday from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm with a light vegan potluck lunch at about noon. If these dates are not good, this workshop will be repeated on Feb. 8 and 9, 2019. Send an email to
registrations@albanyuu.org
to sign up. Find out more
here
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Thanksgiving Holiday Events
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Union Thanksgiving Service - Tuesday, Nov. 20, 7:30 pm at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 262 State St.
For close to a hundred years, Trinity Methodist Church, Westminster Presbyterian Church, Congregation Beth Emeth, Mount Calvary Baptist Church and First Unitarian Universalist Society have gathered before Thanksgiving for a joint service. We rotate the service between our four congregations. It is our tradition to bring canned goods to donate to FOCUS food pantry.
Thanksgiving Dinner ... at Albany UU! Thursday, Nov. 22, beginning at 1:00 pm
Each year we have an open Thanksgiving Dinner in Channing Hall on Thanksgiving Day. If you and your family or friends would like to join Rev. Trumbore and his family at this dinner, please sign up in Channing Hall and let us know what you would like to bring. Set up for the dinner will begin at 1pm. Appetizers will be served at 2pm. Dinner will be served at 3pm. Games and entertainment for mutual amusement will follow the meal (bring your favorites!). Cleanup begins at 4pm.
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Denominational Connections
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Ysaye Barnwell to be theme speaker for Central East Region Summer Institute
The 40th
anniversary of SI is already ramping up the awesomeness with the announcement of Ysaye Barnwell as the 2019 Theme Speaker. A former member of the vocal group Sweet Honey in the Rock, Barnwell is an energetic and beloved workshop leader in the UU community. She has a deep knowledge of the African-American vocal tradition, and of music’s power to connect, motivate, inspire, and teach. Come and share in the experience of building beloved community through a collective voicing of our shared joys, concerns, and humanity. Learn more at
cersiuu.org
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Hudson Mohawk UU Fall Gathering! UU Saratoga on Oct 27!
All are invited the HMUU Fall Gathering at UU Saratoga (624 Broadway),
Saturday, Oct. 27, 10:00am-3:00pm.
The sessions will include break out sessions for participants to apply these concepts and skills to particular areas of congregational life and leadership because culture impacts all we do from stewardship and finance, to religious education. Please bring a brown bag lunch. Coffee, tea, and snacks will be provided. View the flyer
here
. Find more info about HMUU
here
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“Get Connected!”
Sunday was a great success. Thanks to all of the people who sat at tables and shared their passions and interests for each group or committee that they represented. Everyone did a great job of making their table inviting and interesting. Without all of these people, this event would not have been a success.
Congratulations to the winners of the adult raffle: Kim Silva won the first prize – two passes to the Mannings’ Local Food dinner for next August (2019). Bill Morrison won the runner-up prize – a basket of Fair Trade “goodies” (coffee, cocoa and chocolate).
Congratulations to the winners of the kids’ raffle: Lucy Hoffman, Josey McCarthy and Meagan Strong each won a “Mystery Bag” of goodies.
And lastly, thanks to all who visited various tables and learned a little about what the Albany UU congregation has to offer you. We hope this helps you “Get Connected!”
--Paula Moskowitz & Barb Manning, Co-Chairs
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Brunch and Conversation
Over 120 members of our Albany UU community have had a conversation with one of our Growth through Service conversation leaders. If you have not yet had your conversation, the conversation leaders invite you to come for “Brunch and Conversation on
Sunday November 4 right after coffee hour.
Find more information
here
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Election Day apple peeling and pie assembly
Here’s something else to do on Election Day--before or after you vote! Join your Albany UU friends on
Tuesday, Nov. 6 at 9:00 AM in Channing Hall
to peel and cut apples for homemade apple pies to be sold at Coffee Hour on Nov. 18. Find more information
here.
East of Hudson Potluck!
The next East of Hudson Potluck will be at Jean and Abe Bolgatz's home on
Friday, Oct. 26 at 6:00 pm
. If you live east of the river, join us!
RSVP to Jean: 518 274 2501 or jandabolgatz@
gmail.com
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Art Exhibit/Salon Show Oct. 1- Oct. 28
Visit the gallery in Channing Hall to see works by Sheryl Galinski and Marjorie Ward. Reception with Marjorie Ward,
Sunday Oct. 28, 11:30 am.
Find more information
here
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Practice Group for Nonviolent Communication
Begins Nov. 8, 2nd and 4th Thursdays thru March 14, at 6:45 pm
This practice group will offer an environment of mutual learning and support in the practice of nonviolent communication. Basic understanding of Marshall Rosenberg's framework for nonviolent communication is requested of participants. Find more information
here
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Walker Book Group
Join the Walker Book Group for a potluck and discussion on
Sunday, Nov. 11 at 5:30 pm
in Channing Hall. Bring your favorite dish to share and a small contribution to cover beverages. We will discuss
Revolution Song: A Story of American Freedom
by Russell Shorto. Find more information
here
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Albany UU Humanists
Thursday, Nov. 15, 7 PM, Room B-8
(note day change for Nov. only)
All interested in learning more about humanism in Unitarian Universalism are welcome to join us.
Game Night and Potluck
The Religious Education Council will host a Game Night and Potluck on
Friday, Dec. 7
. Potluck dinner starts at 6 PM. Games start at around 6:30 PM. Bring your favorite game and a friend. Sign up in Channing Hall or by emailing
registration@albanyuu.org
. Questions? Contact Amy Jesaitis (518-364-9066, amyj1@nycap.rr.com)
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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!
Sheridan Prep Academy Volunteer Opportunity
A gardening club is forming at Sheridan Prep for students in grades 3-5. The adviser for the club has purchased hydroponic gardening kits and will need some help setting them up and working with the students after school. If you are interested, contact Chuck Manning at
chuckmanning@hotmail.com.
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RELIGIOUS EXPLORATION
-Leah Purcell, Director of Religious Education (RE) and Family Ministry,
dre@albanyuu.org
Keep up with what's happening for children and youth
(including high school and jr high weekend “cons” in November) and resources to support parents and caretakers at home by
Check out the interactive bulletin boards
for children, youth and adults in Channing Hall and the 2nd floor and basement hallways – and make a contribution!
Nursery/Toddler Room
opens at 9:45 for children and infants under 2 years old
For their faith development this Sunday
- Children and youth will attend the service with their families, we will not have Sunday school.
- This is our annual Wheel of Life Service. We’ll explore how we create a shelter for each other. This is a chance for us to remember the transitions in our lives of the past year. Anyone who has experienced a major life transition is invited to bring a picture, a symbol, or a memento of that event. It can be brought forward during service to honor that transition (and may be retrieved after service ends)
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SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES COUNCIL (SRC)
-Matt Lesniak, SRC Chair,
email
SRC Recommends the following:
SRC is collecting full-size toothpaste tubes
ASAP for Day of Simple Giving Comunity Outreach at St. Sophia's on Nov. 17. Please put in the labeled bin in the coat room.
Literacy Tutor Training by Albany’s OASIS, Saturday, Oct. 27, 9:30 - 3.
Volunteer tutors are provided with free training and materials, lunch and in-school support. Register: (518) 475-6360 or at www.oasisnet.org. Harriet Gibbons, 75 Watervliet Ave. (across from the food coop)
Volunteers no longer needed for the FOCUS Food Pantry.
A different congregation is staffing it this month, we will be later in the year.
Parole Justice Albany presents
: Close to Home: Witnessing Criminal Injustice,
Monday, Nov. 12, 6:00 PM
.
View the flyer
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Raise Your Voice for End of Life Choice
Ask a Candidate.
It’s election season, with a general election on November 6. When a candidate asks for your vote, ask whether that candidate supports medical aid in dying.
Click here
to take the pledge to “Ask the Candidate.” NOTE: You are not required to make a financial pledge, regardless of where the website routes you.
Workshop: Your End of Life Wishes.
This workshop will give you the tools and the confidence to have "the conversation". Hosted by the UU Congregation of Saratoga Springs, and led by Death with Dignity Albany’s Director, Bonnie Edelstein,
Sunday, Oct. 28, 2:00-4:00, at 624 Broadway in Saratoga.
RSVP Marian Bigelow 518-587-3847 or
marianbigelow@gmail.com
A Conversation with Senator Neil Breslin.
Death with Dignity Albany invites you to a “fireside chat” interview with Senator Breslin,
Nov. 14, 12:15-2:00, Colonie Town Library, 629 Albany Shaker Rd
. The interview will cover such topics as the November election results, prospects for passing the Medical Aid in Dying Act in the 2019 legislative session, and how supporters can most effectively express their views to their state lawmakers.
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Inclusivity Team Recommends
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RECLAIM: Unlock Your Inner Healer, Saturday, Oct. 27, 10:00am - 5:00pm.
Tickets: $40 (includes lunch) A day long retreat of healing workshops for People of Color by People of Color at the African American Cultural Center in Albany.
More information
Calling All AlbanyUUs of Color!
The Inclusivity Team is considering hosting a local or cluster gathering to support UUs of Color. In order to gage interest, if you identify as a Person of Color, we would love it if you would share your thoughts on whether you would be interested in attending such an event, and/or any thoughts as to topic of discussion whether focussed or informal, and any other ideas for the gathering welcome. Please send email to Annika Pfluger (
annikafam@gmail.com).
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Green Sanctuary's Tip of the Week!
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Practicing Our Seventh Principle:
CALL OR CONTACT ALL OF YOUR FRIENDS AND TELL THEM TO VOTE! Voting has already started in some states.
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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, Dee VanRiper and Sharon Babala.
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Regular events and meetings
Check Windows Weekly for changes to date, time and location.
Sundays
5:30 PM Walker Book Group (2nd)
11:45 AM Green Sanctuary Committee (4th)
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
10:00 AM Woman's Group (1st & 3rd)
1:00 PM All Sides Considered (1st & 3rd)
7:00 PM Program Coordinating Council (2nd)
7:00 PM Board of Trustees (3rd)
**In November, UU Humanists will meet on the 3rd Thursday, Nov. 15
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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.
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First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany
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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
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
).
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First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany | 518.463.7135| 518.463.1429 | Admin@AlbanyUU.org | AlbanyUU.org
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