Greetings,
Welcome to Windows Weekly, Albany UU's central source for news and updates. Please stay safe and stay connected to your Albany UU Community during this uncertain time in the many ways provided online - all described below.
If this email was forwarded to you, and you would like to receive it directly, please sign up here.
Learn more about what's happening with UU Kids and Families by reading the Religious Education publication, RE Roundup.
-Blessings and Be Well
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MISSION STATEMENT
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.
VISION STATEMENT
Albany UU will be an inclusive, welcoming congregation. Our sacred work is to lift hearts, broaden minds and do justice in the world, in service of building beloved community.
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VIRTUAL SUNDAY SERVICE
10:00 am
LIVE VIA ZOOM
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Oct 25, “What Democracy Looks Like,” Rev. Sam Trumbore
Given the inherent flaws in the design of our Constitution and our Government in the eighteenth century, what is required for democracy to thrive today? How does our faith tradition and our fifth principle guide us?
Music Provided by Elena Karpoff, Chris Jensen and Randy Rosette
Use this link to join:
To dial in by phone: 1-929-436-2866:
Meeting ID: 299 018 7785
Password: 0000
Join us for Family Chapel at 11:30 AM
The story will be about listening to voices of Black people, indigenous people, and people of color (Anti-Racism and our 8th Principle)
We’ll have our 15-minute worship for children, youth, and their parents/caretakers and guides. Then we’ll have breakout groups for: preschool-first grade; 2nd-5th grade; 6th/7th grade and 8th grade.
Use this link to join:
To dial in by phone: 1-929-436-2866
Meeting ID 843 1034 5197
Password: 4051842
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JOIN US FOR VIRTUAL SUNDAY SERVICES M
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Albany UU Virtual Services - Live via Zoom
Begin your Sunday morning with Rev. Sam guiding an 8:30 Virtual Meditation session until 9:15 (see below under Upcoming Ways to Connect for more info). We then have Virtual Service beginning at 10:00 each Sunday and a chance to stay online for virtual "Coffee Hour" followed by RE for ALL, at 11:30. Look for more info about RE for ALL below.
Use this link to join Sunday service:
To dial in by phone: 1-929-436-2866:
Meeting ID: 299 018 7785
Password: 0000
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Our Multigenerational Wheel of Life Service on Sunday, November 1, will Include a Ritual of Grieving and Release
The past year has been like no other in our lifetimes because we have been living with the COVID pandemic since March 2020. Rev Sam and Leah are planning a way for everyone in the service to participate to honor your personal milestones of the past year and to offer a way to grieve for the ways the pandemic of the past nine months have affected us.
We’ll be remembering major life events such as births, deaths, marriages, graduations, retirements, and other major life transitions (as you define them).
Please send Sapphire a picture (office@albanyuu.org) and a description of your milestone that we can include in the service. The deadline is 10/28 which is coming soon!
The photo could be of a person or a pet, or of a memento like your pet’s collar, or of a celebration or event.
This year we’ll also be including a ritual of grieving and release. For this, please bring with you to the service an object to have blessed and are then willing to let go of. Something from nature like a stone or a leaf, or a scrap of paper and pencil. We’ll invite you to "release" it into nature after the service by burying it, putting it in or on a wall, or casting it into water as a way of letting go of the grief that we haven’t been able to celebrate our transitions in the ways we would like due to the pandemic.
Families, look for resources for helping children to grieve the pandemic in upcoming RE Roundups and in The Treehouse.
A reminder that Daylight Saving Time ends on Sunday, Nov 1 as well. Remember to set your clocks BACK one hour before retiring on Halloween night!
Sunday Service information
Joys and Concerns for Online Services
We have three ways that you can share your joys and concerns.
- One: Use the online form. If you use this form, you can indicate if you would like to have your joys and concerns shared at the Sunday service, and you can leave contact info if you would like a Pastoral Care Associate to follow up with you.
- Two: Email your joy or sorrow to joysandsorrows@albanyuu.org before Sunday morning to have them read aloud during the service
- Three: We will be giving you instructions during the Sunday service about how to share your joys and concerns then.
Sunday Offering
If you would like to make a contribution to the Sunday Offering "Plate", click https://tinyurl.com/AlbanyUU-Contribute or send your check, with Sunday Offering on the memo line, to the church: 405 Washington Ave., Albany, NY 12206. Mail is being processed while the building is closed.
Try our text to give option! Simply text the amount and fund (for example: 20 offering or 20 pledge) to 844-976-2618. There's a helpful video to watch with step by step instructions and an informative written guide with visuals.
Sunday services will be online via Zoom at 10:00 AM EST. There will be no service, religious education or other activities in the church building until further notice. Not familiar with Zoom? Our minister, Rev. Sam Trumbore will give you a brief tutorial.
Use this link to join the Sunday service:
To dial in by phone: 1-929-436-2866:
Meeting ID: 299 018 7785
Password: 0000
Zoom Etiquette - Updated
Participation in a Zoom Sunday Service needs everyone’s cooperation for it to be successful. By being careful about your video and audio while attending a UU Zoom Sunday service, you can help can make the service a pleasant, welcoming, inspiring and meaningful experience for everyone.
If your video is on, please be attentive to what others are seeing. Attire and backgrounds should be appropriate for all ages. If what's happening in your video is distracting or potentially embarrassing, an usher may turn it off. For example, if someone falls asleep during service, that could be embarrassing so that person's video will be turned off. If an usher turns off your video, they will let you know via private chat.
If you notice that your audio is on, please mute it, and be aware that if you are accidentally un-muted, anything you say could be broadcast to everyone and disrupt the service.
It is wise to treat entering a Zoom Sunday service as if you had just walked into Community Hall during a silent meditation or service.
Wearing your Zoom “Name Tag”
When signing into a Zoom worship service on a Sunday morning, you can't put on your traditional name tag to be welcoming to others, but you CAN rename your screen so that it displays your full name. This is the new way to practice hospitality with everyone who is part of the online worship service.
To change your screen name, look for three white dots, usually appearing in the upper right corner of your zoom window when you hover over it with your cursor. Click the dots, and a dropdown menu will appear. One of the options in the dropdown menu is "Rename." Click that option, and a box will pop up that displays the name currently showing in your Zoom window. If it's not your full name or names, change it to your name(s) and click the "Save" button.
If you have any questions, feel free to send an Usher a message in the Chat during service or email Tammy Hathaway - admin@albanyuu.org anytime. Thanks for taking this extra step to be welcoming!
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ADULT RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
-RE FOR ALL-
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Every Sunday beginning at 11:30 AM
Note: The Adult RE for ALL offerings will be found by leaving the Albany UU Zoom #1 where the Sunday service can be seen and heard and moving to Rev. Sam’s Zoom #2. The link will be visible onscreen and in the Zoom Group Chat after 11:15 am.
Use this link to join any Adult RE for ALL offerings (we use breakout rooms for more than one):
Meeting ID: 518-366-4532
Password: 4051842
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Conversational Response – This is your opportunity to reflect with the Sunday service presenter on what the service has elicited from you and listen to the responses of others. The purpose isn’t to debate the rightness or wrongness of the service, though references, anecdotes, and stories might be further explored, and fact checked. The goal is for people to go deeper with the service through the process of mutual reflection and response.
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Congregational Conversation about the proposed Congregational Covenant. This is the first of two opportunities for conversation. If this Sunday during RE for ALL does not work for you, there is a second congregational conversation scheduled for 7 PM on Thursday, October 29, also on Zoom. That information can be found below. Find more info here.
Planned for the future:
- Forums – Social Responsibilities Council or Green Sanctuary or Inclusivity Team will have a guest presenter (not every Sunday) or an announced discussion topic of general interest.
- Adult Education Classes – UU History, UU Theology, other topics to stimulate growth and development.
- Learn About Albany UU – Meet with a person from the Membership Committee who can answer your questions about Albany UU and give you information about ways to get more involved in our congregation.
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Virtual Circle Dinners!
Do you miss getting to know people over a good dinner? Lingering over a glass of wine with a small group of friends? Your Circle Dinner coordinators, John and Peggy Sherman miss it too! So, let’s try out Virtual Circle Dinners. You provide your own dinner, beverage of choice and connection to Zoom (via your computer, tablet, smartphone or speakerphone). John and Peggy will match you with a small group of Albany UU dinner companions for an evening of good conversation.
Our first experiment with Virtual Circle Dinners will start at 6:30 PM on Saturday, October 24. Each virtual dinner will be hosted in a different Zoom breakout room.
Start your Sunday Morning with Meditation - 8:30 - 9:15 AM
Sunday morning meditation, led by Rev. Sam, begins with a ten-minute talk by Sharon Salzberg or Joseph Goldstein from their course on Insight Meditation. We will sit together 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 and discuss their topic of the day, which this Tuesday will be "ownership verses sharing" (as in co-op, using uber, etc).
All are welcome.
Use this link to join:
By phone: 1-929-436-2866
Meeting ID: 987 7102 4708
Password: 0000
Connect with Three
The best way to feel connected in our congregation is to meet people and get to know them. Connect With Three randomly matches you with another person for a 15 minute conversation three times. The conversation can be free form or guided by questions centered on our theme of the month, “deep listening” in October, depending on each pairing’s desires. At the end of an hour, you’ll have had three interesting conversations and met or renewed connections with three people.
Our last October session is Wednesday, Oct 28 from 4:30-5:30pm. No reservations required, just show up! (Note that if you arrive late you might be required to wait – so come a little early!).
Use this link to join:
By phone: 929-436-2866
Meeting ID: 299 018 7785
Password: 0000
Congregational Conversation about the proposed Congregational Covenant
The First conversation will be this Sunday, Oct 25 as part of RE for ALL. That information can be found above. If this Sunday does not work for you, there is a second congregational conversation scheduled for 7:00 PM on Thursday, October 29. Find more info here.
Use this link for Thursday, Oct 29
By phone: 929-436-2866
Meeting ID: 299 018 7785
Password: 0000
Ordination of Dan Miyake
Former ministerial intern, Dan Miyake, will be ordained as a UU minister on Sunday, Nov 1 at 2:00 by his new congregation in Michigan. Dan stated that he would be honored to have Albany UU members and friends share in his joy of this important milestone by attending the ceremony via Zoom. All are welcome to attend.
Zoom info in link below:
Ps and Qs
Projects and Quilts (Ps and Qs) will zoom next on Wednesday, Nov 4 at 10:00 AM.
Save these Wednesday dates at 10:00 AM for the remainder of this fall.
Nov 18
Dec 2, 16
Use this link to join:
By phone: 929-436-2866
Meeting ID: 299 018 7785
Password: 0000
Albany UU Sings
Join your friends and sing your heart out in Virtual Community! We will supply the music and the lyrics.
Save these Wednesday dates at 7:00 PM for the remainder of this fall.
Nov 4, 18
Dec 2, 16
Hope to see you there.
Use this link to join:
By phone: 1-929-436-2866
Meeting ID: 979 5961 1765
Passcode: 0000
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PIES AND SOUPS FUNDRAISER -
ORDER YOURS TODAY!
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Our famous Albany UU pies and soups fundraiser will persevere!
COVID-19 has caused us to be creative in how we can do many things. Well, we have come up with a way for all of you to still have your Albany UU soups and pies for Thanksgiving and Christmas!
Over the next several weeks you have the opportunity to order your soups, chili, hot fudge and pies from the order form links below. Choose how many of each that you would like to purchase, select a date to pick them up at Albany UU and submit your order.
On Saturday, Nov 21st and Sunday, December 6th, from 1-4pm, you can pick up your order at Albany UU. A few distanced, mask-wearing and safety conscious volunteers will be there to give you your order and take your money (cash or check only, please).
All items must be pre-ordered so don’t wait! Order now!
Order deadline is Sunday, November 1 for all pie orders (regardless of the pickup date you choose) and for the Nov 21st pick up of soups.
Order deadline is Sunday, November 15 for the Dec 6th pick up of soups.
All pies are $15.00 each
Soup/Chili - $9.00 per quart, $5.00 per pint
Hot Fudge - $10.00 per container
Please note that those folks who live out of town, we apologize, but we will not be able to ship items at this time.
Thank you for your support! AND be looking for additional ways to support Albany UU also coming up in time for the holiday season! Stay tuned!
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Black Creatives: Past, Present, and a Future Reframed
October 26, 7:00 - 8:30 PM (sponsored by the Albany Public Library)
Youth FX Cofounder and filmmaker Darian Henry and SUNYA professor Frankie Y. Bailey will speak from their deep knowledge and experience as female artists of color about the intersections of race and representation, and a Black radical future reframed and reimagined. The discussion will include the work and lives of James Baldwin and Richard Wright, with virtual screenings of the documentaries I Am Not Your Negro and Richard Wright - Black Boy preceding the program. [Teens/Adults 13+]
NYS Writers Institute - Time for Reckoning series
The final week of the Time for Reckoning series will address accountability --- how can the community monitor government actions to guard against further injustices due to systemic racism?
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Hooray, crafts are back!
There will be crafts this year, in addition to soups and pies. Our crafters are busily making things for the annual Holiday Bazaar. We will persevere! Soon there will be an order form with photographs of each item and you will be able to choose what you would like to pre-order.
One week before the sale, a few volunteers will bag up your order with your name on it. The bags will sit there for a week untouched, so everyone will know that you will be safe.
On November 21st, when you come for curbside pick up, we'll have your order forms together so you can pay for soups, pies and crafts all at once. Please bring cash or check.
We will announce when the crafts order form is ready. Watch for it!
A small group of kids needs YOU!
If you are someone who has served others in one of our congregation’s justice projects, and have ever made the mistake of assuming you knew what others needed, we have an opportunity for you to speak about that experience and what you learned from it with a small group of our 2nd-5th graders on Sunday 11/15 at 11:30 AM over Zoom. Please email Elizabeth Baldes, RE Program Coordinator at reassist@albanyuu.org to share your hard-won wisdom with our young people!
Focus Food Pantry
Please consider a contribution to the Focus Food Pantry this Sunday. Online donations can be made here or you may send your check to the church with FOCUS on the memo line. Thank you for your help.
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The Albany UU Social Responsibilities Council (SRC) and Inclusivity Team recommend a Delmar Black Lives Matter Vigil
Similar to the Black Lives Matter vigil that is taking place every Saturday morning in Troy, several Albany UUs are participating in a vigil in Delmar every Saturday. We meet 9:30 - 10:00 AM, in front of the Delmar Farmers Market, which takes place in the Middle School on Kenwood Avenue. Come join us any Saturday, then shop at the market! Last vigil and market day is November 21.
The Albany UU Social Responsibilities Council (SRC) and Inclusivity Team recommend a Black Lives Matter vigil in Troy:
When: Saturday, 10/24/20, 10:30-11:00 am
Where: Troy, corner of River Street at the intersection of Fulton and Third Streets
- physical distance, masks
- signs only, no chanting
- all weather
The purpose is two-fold:
- to express that Black Lives Matter
- to embolden white people to act against racism
To ensure safety as much as we can, we are working under these agreements as a provisionary covenant:
- We carry signs with the same message: "Black Lives Matter," or "Stand Against Racism."
- We limit our positive responses to a thumbs-up or a wave.
- We do not respond to any negative reactions, such as heckling.
- The police officers at the farmers market (across the street) will be notified that there is a gathering.
- One person, not holding a sign, will be designated to take photos of license plates of anyone who is inappropriate.
- We all leave at the end of the vigil, and people leave together.
- If friends join us, we advise them of the measures above.
If you can’t or don’t want to join standing, you are invited to drive by and wave or honk encouragement.
NY AG Seeks Volunteers
NY Attorney General Letitia James is looking for volunteers who can help ensure every eligible voter can cast their ballot during early voting and on election day. Use the link below to learn more and sign up:
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RE for Children and youth starts with Family Chapel at 11:30 this Sunday
- Children are invited to wear their Halloween Costumes!
- Earlier start (11:15) for 6th/7th grade group.
Family Chapel is a time for all the children and youth, their parents/caregivers and guides, in grades 8 and younger. Along with the usual components and hearing the story of the week, the children will have an opportunity to show (or wear) and tell us about their Halloween costumes. Then groups will meet separately in break out rooms. We’ll allow a few minutes for those children to get into their breakout rooms and to different physical rooms in their homes between the end of Family Chapel and the start of sessions.
- The preschool-first grade group will meet for about 10-15 minutes
- The 2nd-5th grade group for about 15-20 minutes
- The 8th grade will meet for about 30-40 min
Note that the 6th/7th grade Crossing Paths group will meet at 11:15 to prepare for a visit from Shara Siegfeld, Education Director at Congregation Beth Emeth. Their session will last until about 12:00 or 12:15.
Children and Youth in the 10:00 Service – Would your child like to play a piece of music?
Here’s information about how your child might participate.
- Music selection- Any style of music is possible: classical, folk, contemporary, holiday, and so on. Varied types of performance are encouraged: instrumental, vocals, dancing/movement, etc.
- If vocals are included, words/topic must be appropriate to a religious service.
- Good quality video recording required (since Sunday Services are currently virtual). Both sound and picture clarity needed as well as proficiency in the performance area selected.
- Demo should be sent to below address for consideration by music leadership.
- With the goal of including our children and youth in Albany UU music program, our music leadership can assist in the entire process from selection to recording, as needed.
The RE Roundup – Newsletter for the RE community for children and youth.
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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.
Join us in keeping our members and friends in your thoughts as they share their joys and concerns.
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: Sharon Babala, Chuck Manning, Donna Meixner, Phil Rich, Randy Rosette, Sandy Stone, Dee VanRiper and Erik F. vonHausen.
Albany UU Caring Network
The Caring Network (CN) reflects the words of the Albany UU chalice lighting - “to sustain a vital and nurturing religious community.” The CN provides encouragement and short term support to Albany UU members who, due to hospitalization, sickness, loss, or isolation, need assistance. Services typically include transportation to medical appointments, meals and shopping during recovery, and friendly “check in’s” from Caring Network members. Please reach out to the Caring Network.
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Essential Building Use Guidelines
First, our building is still not being used for most events. Only events which have a compelling reason for building use will be considered going forward. Events which can be held via Zoom or in other ways, should not use the building.
The Albany UU Board has provided guidance to the Ministries and Operations Team to consider limited use of the building under controlled, specific circumstances. An application form and process has been developed and more information will be forthcoming. We appreciate your patience. Please continue to follow the guidelines outlined below.
These guidelines govern building use deemed necessary to the work of the congregation. The procedure is as follows:
- All members and friends must receive pre-clearance from staff (at this point, Tammy: admin@albanyuu.org) before entering the building. This will enable staff to schedule those who need to enter the building so that there is minimal overlap among individuals. The assumption is that these visits will be brief.
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Each individual (including staff) needs to fill out a short health survey prior to or immediately upon entry of the building, each time they enter. The survey is available online (preferred) and will be in paper form at the membership desk if needed.
- All members, friends and staff must wear a mask while in the building.
- Members and friends will please limit the duration and frequency of time spent in the building.
Submitting announcements for the "Announcement Slide" or to be read during virtual Sunday service
Announcements pertaining to Albany UU activities can be read by either Rev. Sam, the Sunday Service Associate, or the person submitting the announcement. Announcements can ALSO be added to the Sunday service "Announcement Slide".
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Submit your announcement to Tammy Hathaway, Church Administrator (admin@albanyuu.org), by Friday, 9:00 AM, to be incorporated into the announcement portion of the upcoming Sunday service. Please specify how you would like your announcement handled - to be read aloud and by who, added to the Announcement Slide or BOTH
- Announcements must be submitted ahead, even if the person submitting will be reading their own announcement.
- Please write out in words the name of your committee. Too many initials result in confusion and is not welcoming: SRC = Social Responsibilities Council RSC = Religious Services Committee
- Include contact information if folks should have questions or would like more information.
If you have questions, please contact Tammy. Thank you so much!
Scheduling Zoom Meetings - Updated
We understand that during these challenging times, things can get chaotic but please try and remember to request your Zoom meeting several days in advance. If we receive a request on a Saturday for a Zoom meeting the next day, Sunday, that request will not be processed in time and you and your team may be disappointed.
We currently have two zoom accounts that we can use for meetings. To request a Zoom meeting, please do so just as you would when requesting a room to use in our building - using Church Database. When you choose your resources, or "room", choose between Zoom 1 and Zoom 2 - Sam, we no longer have Zoom 3. There are links to instructions below. This is the preferred method but requests can also be sent via email to Sapphire: office@albanyuu.org.
When you send an email, please have a few dates and times that will work for your meeting to minimize a lot of time consuming negotiating. Thank you!
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VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
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Virtual Service Ushers - It's never too late to volunteer!
This is a great opportunity to volunteer on a Sunday morning! Ushers are needed on Sunday mornings to help provide a welcoming, safe and enjoyable virtual experience. We need folks who would be willing to volunteer to help. Tammy will provide a quick and simple training. PLEASE contact her if you'd like to learn more: admin@albanyuu.org.
YOU can make a difference!
We at Albany UU are making an effort to increase our visibility and connectivity online. YOU can help, and it's quick and easy! Simply like, follow and share pages and posts on any of our social media platforms, or leave a positive Facebook or Google review. Google Albany UU or find us here:
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Quick Links
Denominational Affairs Links
Helpful Local Links
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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 online class
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Regular events and meetings
Most of these events and meetings continue online, however dates and times may vary. Please contact the Team or Group Leader or email admin@albanyuu.org if you have questions.
Sundays
11:45 AM Inclusivity Team (2nd)
5:30 PM Walker Book Group (2nd)
11:45 AM Social Responsibilities Council (3rd)
11:45 AM Green Sanctuary Committee (4th)
Mondays
6:15 PM Religious Education Council
(1st, Nov., Feb., May)
Tuesdays
10:15 AM Philosophy Discussion (weekly)
Wednesdays
10:00 AM Ps and Qs (alternating)
7:00 PM Albany UU Sings (alternating)
Thursdays
1:00 PM All Sides Considered - stay tuned for more details
6:30 PM Board of Trustees (4th)
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Going to miss a Sunday?
Online service is generally recorded
For previous services, pre-pandemic:
You can listen to the entire Albany UU Sunday service at home or on your mobile device. March 1 and 8 services are available as MP3 files on the Albany UU member resource website. Here is how to access:
username: AlbanyUU
password: EEthelredBrown405
Our sermon archive (http://members.albanyuu.org/wp/ - 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 |
Parking - when the building reopens: 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:
The Albany UU Office is closed during this time of physical distancing. Sam, Leah, Tammy and Sapphire have their messages forwarded to their personal cell phones and are available by email.
Websites
Zoom use
To reserve Zoom for an Albany UU online meeting, contact Administrative Assistant Sapphire Correa (518.463.7135 or office@albanyuu.org).
Photo credit: Jeannie Thompson
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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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