Greetings,
Welcome to Windows Weekly, Albany UU's central source for news and updates. 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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May 26, “We Remember Them,” Rev. Dr. Lynn Ashley
We observe Memorial Day in a service of song and story.
Rev. Ashley is a longtime friend of Albany UU where she was ordained. Before retiring, she served UU congregations in Fredonia, Barneveld and Glens Falls. She is on the board of the NYS Convention of Universalists and reminds us that their annual meeting (in October) offers UUs throughout New York a welcome opportunity to come together. Lynn lives in Voorheesville with her husband, Lawrence Snyder and their cat Puddleoffur.
Music:
Richard Porterfield
HYMN 38: “Morning Has Broken”
HYMN 118: “This Little Light of Mine”
HYMN 1010: “We Give Thanks"
HYMN 107: “Now Wing We of the Brave of Old”
HYMN 161: “Peace! The Perfect Word"
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Sunday Services
10:00 am
June 2, “The Beauty of Service”
We recognize those who have assisted in our religious education program during this service. We also celebrate their service by making ice cream sundaes for children and adults. Be sure to come, hear inspiring words about community service, and get a scoop to enjoy.
Music:
Albany UU Choir with Guest Conductor Susan Boddie
June 9,“The Beauty of Flowers”
This will be our yearly multi-generational flower communion service. Please bring some flowers to share, preferably from your own garden. We’ll create a bouquet of all the flowers people bring. At the end of the service, you’ll be able to take home some of those flowers to enjoy. The beauty of flowers has an enchanting power to free us and lift our spirits even in hard times.
Music:
Richard Porterfield
The summer schedule begins with June 16
Summer at Albany UU
The last Sunday of the regular service year is June 9; our summer services start June 16 and continue through September 1.
How is a summer Sunday at Albany UU different from other Sundays?
--The 9:00 a.m.
Meditation
continues.
--We have
Service
at 10:00 AM. Summer services are coordinated by Randy Rosette, with a delightful list of guests in the pulp it.
--
Children are invited
to meet for activities in Room 24/25, youth are invited to help or attend service. The nursery/toddler room will still be open at 9:45 with paid childcare staff.
--
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. Call the office, 518-463-7135, or sign up at members.albanyuu.org under Volunteer Opportunities.
Announcements
Give Away the Plate
All contributions in the plate this Sunday, May 26, will be given to the Red Cross (a 501©(3) organization) unless otherwise marked. If you write a check, make it payable to the Red Cross and add “Home Fire Campaign” on the memo line. Checks for your pledge should be made payable to Albany UU, and have "pledge" written on the memo line. As always, envelopes will be available for cash contributions that you want to earmark toward a specific fund or pledge.
Scores of our neighbors in Albany were displaced last Sunday morning as a result of two fires, one of which was on Bradford Street within a couple of blocks of Albany UU. We are donating Sunday's collection to the Red Cross, which assisted people affected by the fires immediately after, and on an ongoing basis. May's FOCUS Food Pantry collection is being shifted to Sunday, June 2.
Albany UU Office Closed
The office will be closed on Monday, May 27 in observance of Memorial Day. We will reopen at 9:00 on Tuesday morning, May 28. Thank you!
Volunteers Wanted for Young Peacemaker Week August 19 - 23
YPW is an urban day camp that creatively cultivates peacemaking with young people. Would you like to volunteer the week of August 19 - 23? We have reached our maximum camper registration and are looking for a few more volunteers to round out our community of Peacemakers. There are a variety of jobs, big or small. long or short! Visit the
Volunteer Page
and/or contact Jan McCracken about your interest or for more information
janmccracken56@gmail.com.
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Sunday Schedule
9:00 AM
- Mindfulness Meditation, Sanctuary
9:45 AM
- Nursery/Toddler Rooms open
10:00 AM
- Service, Community Hall
- Programs for children
11:00 AM
- Coffee Hour, Channing Hall
11:15 AM
- Albany UU Young Adults Hike, meet in Channing Hall
11:45 PM
- Green Sanctuary Committee, Room B-7
Quick Links
Denominational Affairs 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.
Offering envelopes
We appreciate donations of cash during the offering that occurs as part of our Sunday service. If you would like to have cash contributions acknowledged and recorded, please use one of the envelopes that are available on the table in the Community Hall lobby. Thank you very much for your generosity.
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Debbie, Jesse, Lucy and Maren Hoffman
Last week Sigrin Newell read a poem called Small Harbors, and in a nutshell, it described everything Debbie loves: gardening, reading, connecting with people, cats. She loves learning and teaching, in a deep thinking and hands-on way. In the past few years, she’s settled into being a mother and strives to make the world better for all generations to come.
Jesse Hoffman is a botanist with a lifelong interest in plant identification, and has recently expanded into mushroom ID as well. He likes to engineer and build things, tinker with electronics, work with his hands, and cook delicious meals. Jesse enjoys intellectual debate and is currently thinking about gender and society.
Lucy’s favorite animal is an alligator and she also loves spiders!
Maren also loves spiders, and is excited to share that we have a pink-toed tarantula!
Our favorite thing to do is spend time together as a family. We like to hike, talk and snuggle on the couch, read books, eat delicious food, and play board games and card games! We live in Brunswick with a cat and 30ish chickens. The kids will be going to Lansingburgh public schools next year.
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Julie Maresco and Lucas Johnson
Julie Maresco is from Kinderhook, New York but actually found out about Unitarian Universalism while earning her Masters degree in Nashville, Tennessee, where she attended a UU church. She is very interested in museums, historic sites, live theatre, and music. She is currently coordinating the new Albany UU Young Adults Group and is excited to connect with new members of the congregation.
Lucas Johnson is from Kinderhook New York and started attending our services last year with his partner, Julie Maresco.
Lucas is interested in landscaping, gardening, welding, trying new restaurants, and traveling.
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PHOTO COMING SOON!
Kristen Tibbitts
Kristen Tibbitts has attended Albany UU for the past three years. She recently joined because Albany UU possesses the aspects of religion which she likes, without the aspects that don’t fit her beliefs.
She was raised Catholic, attending Our Lady of Mercy here in Albany. Growing up, she was in the choir and enjoyed performing in skits. She received her bachelor’s degree from the College of St. Rose, initially studying for a teaching degree, then switching to Public Communications with the intent of becoming a journalist, a field where lately the opportunities seem to be drying up.
She loves kids. All through college and until recently, she worked at a day care center. However, the low pay and lack of benefits forced her to seek employment elsewhere. She now works at the New York State Comptroller’s Office. She also teaches dance – tap and jazz – at Jo Ann’s Academy of Dance in Latham.
One of her ambitions is to be a contestant on Jeopardy. She has taken, and passed, the written test twice, and has auditioned twice, and plans to do so again.
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Alice Sage-Pulver
Alice Sage-Pulver recently relocated to the Albany area to be closer to her family particularly, 6-year-old grandson Aedan. She was a teacher for 35 years. Upon retirement she traveled extensively and lived in Ireland for five years. She enjoys being a member of The Second Saturday Women Writer’s Group and Book Women (a book group of friends) and loves gardening and photography. She has found a welcome home in Albany UU.
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Ashley Keegan
Ashley teaches 12th grade in Chatham NY. She likes to read, especially memoirs, and enjoys taking walks and doing puzzles. She has three nephews who she loves, although they give her a run for her money most days.
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Regina O’Brien
Regina O’Brien has been coming to our church for about four years and has been a UU for all her adult life. She is a retired public school teacher, but is currently a graduate student at U Albany in the Mental Health Counseling program. She enjoys spending time with her family, especially her husband Tim and her two grandchildren. She loves traveling and gardening.
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Albany UU Annual Meeting Election Results
Asterisk denotes incumbent continuing in their position.
Officers
President: Patti Jo Newell
Vice-President: David MacLeod
Secretary: Molly Daniels
Co-treasurers: Reese Satin and Seth Edelman
Assistant Treasurer: Kathy Harris
Religious Education Chair: Leah Akins
Social Responsibilities Chair: Matt Lesniak
Board of Trustees
Meredith Andrews*, Zach Cunningham (3 yrs.), Frederick Eames*, Amie Jamieson (3 yrs.), Jan McCracken (1 yr.), Nancy Shay*
Endowment Trust
Jeff English*, Tom Mercer*, Paul Moskowitz (1 yr.), Jon Newell*, Peter Schaeffing (5 yrs.)
Nominating Committee
Mary Applegate*, Sharon Babala*, Pat Bailey*, Al DeSalvo*, Randy Rosette (3 yrs.), Kelly Smith (3 yrs)
Social Responsibilities Council
Mark Abendroth (3 yrs.), Michael Braunstein*, Karen Kaufmann*, Jean Poppei *, Crystal Tayor-Papps (3 yrs.), Ann von Linden*
Religious Education Council
Paula Brewer*, Michele Desrosiers*, Winston Hagborg (3 yrs.), Liz Halvorsen*, Jim Hutchins (3 yrs.) Ela Kessel*, Mike Myers*, Darnell Rohrbaugh (3 yrs.)
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... to Brunch & Conversation with the Growth Through Service Leaders on Sunday, June 2 at 11:30 am in Room B-8
Our Growth Through Service Team invites Albany UU members who have not yet had a Growth Through Service conversation to a Brunch & Conversation on Sunday, June 2 after service. Lois Bailey, Dick Dana, Laura Churchill, Linda Hunt, Maria Phillips and Peggy Sherman will be there to lead the conversations. Child care will be available with advanced notice. Contact Dick Dana if you are interested or have any questions:
rhdana@nycap.rr.com
, 518.813.1992
Growth Through Service is about tapping into what connects you to Albany UU. We want to learn about you so that we can help you connect and collaborate in ways that mean the most to you. Our Conversation Team is committed to holding a 1-hour conversation with every member of our congregation, to be scheduled at your convenience. If June 2 is not convenient, contact Dick Dana to set up a better time that works you.
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Collecting Albany UU Member & Friend Employee Feedback
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In the late spring every year, the Albany UU staff is reviewed and evaluated.
You can help!
The primary goal of this evaluation is to offer support and appreciation for the good work our staff does. Employees here work very hard and deserve to know how they have made a positive difference in accomplishing the mission and vision of our congregation. Concrete, specific examples of what you have observed are very valuable feed back to them in the evaluation process. And you’ll feel good knowing that your appreciation will be integrated into their evaluation!
Of course there will be some dissatisfaction as well. This survey is not primarily for collecting that information. Anyone having a problem with an employee should talk to them directly or if that doesn’t work, talk to them along with their supervisor. If that process has failed to address your concerns, this form can be used to report chronic issues that you have not been able to resolve.
This form requires your name. Giving feedback carries with it responsibility for what is said since it can have both very positive and very negative effects on employees. We are not interested in anonymous input for the purpose of employee evaluation. AND you can ask that your input on this form be kept confidential and your name will not be shared with the employee.
Thank you in advance for your help in appreciating our great staff!
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Respect for Christianity Here
I need to make an apology for my part in the “This I Believe” service this past Sunday.
I did the multigenerational portion of the service that I titled “Why UUs Don’t Have a Catechism.” My idea was to explain why we have “This I Believe” services when many Christian denominations would not because there are things you need to believe if you are a more orthodox Christian (the varieties of Christians is way too much to tackle in 5-7 minutes). My intention was to be concrete and show the children a copy of the Bible and tell them that this is the source book for Christian belief. Most of them can’t read well enough to understand what is in the Bible. So I told them that the way some Christians teach this book to make it easy to understand is through catechisms. I pulled a few sample questions and answers out from the
Westminster Catechism for Children. I asked the adults who studied catechism as children to say the answers they remembered to those questions. There was a little laughter here because there was a diversity of responses depending on which Christian church they grew up in. I then said something about how the Bible isn’t the only book that has answers to these questions. I picked up a Quran to show them saying it has different answers to some of those catechism questions. I also picked up a copy of Darwin’s works to show them it also has different answers to some of those questions. The point I wanted to make to the children was that we as Unitarian Universalists don’t pick one book and only read and believe it. We try to read each one, study it and come up with our own answers following our own understanding of what makes sense to us. I tied that into the theme of the day, hearing three examples of people doing just that.
I was both surprised and distressed to find out some people who were present felt that their Christian beliefs and values had been majorly disrespected by the way I spoke with the children.
That was not my intention and I deeply regret any way I sent that message to Christians or others in our midst who felt that I was denigrating their beliefs.
One important lesson I’ve learned in learning how to dismantle white supremacy is “intention doesn’t excuse impact.” The fact that I didn’t intend to insult some people in the congregation doesn’t excuse my actions that did. I need to reflect on what happened and what I can learn from the results of my actions.
I grew up with an anti-Christian prejudice in a strongly humanist Unitarian Fellowship in Newark, Delaware. I followed my parents’ scientific humanist views. Being a minority view in a dominant Christian culture created both defensiveness and wariness in me toward Christianity.
During the 1960’s and early 1970’s, Unitarian heritage congregations like my UU Fellowship were not very tolerant or friendly to those with Christian beliefs. That began changing starting with the
Women and Religion reforms during the late 1970’s and anti-racism work in the 1990’s.
Going to
a Unitarian Universalist seminary that was part of a consortium of Christian schools that permitted cross registration allowed me to take Biblical history classes with the Lutherans, Process Theology with the Franciscans, and New Testament with the Baptists. The multi-religious climate of the
Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, California helped me a great deal to work through my animosity toward Christianity from my childhood. Once I could start engaging Biblical texts as metaphor and story rather than as theological proofs, access to meaning in them opened up for me.
Today I sometimes use Biblical texts in my preaching on Sunday morning. I lean more that way during the Christmas season and Lent moving toward Easter. The Jesus I’ve learned to love isn’t the suffering savior as much as the disrupter who rails against oppression and victimization. The Jesus I love is the one who forgives the despised and persecuted and challenges the privileged and mighty. I embrace Jesus as part of a Jewish prophetic tradition that seeks justice, mercy and peace like an ever flowing stream. Religion should be about making peace, seeking justice and encouraging people to learn how to love and respect each other.
What I deeply regret is not speaking words of love and appreciation for each book I held up. The structure of the humanism of my childhood was built on a Biblical foundation. I learned deep devotion to the divine chanting the name of Allah with
the Sufis in the Redwoods of Mendocino, California. Darwin
opened my eyes to how beauty can evolve through natural and sexual selection built on random processes. Each book has so much to offer all of us no matter what we believe and don’t believe.
My promise is to become more aware of my childhood anti-Christian conditioning that can sneak through my intentions and have a negative impact. Leah Purcell, our director of religious education and family ministry, is a wonderful partner for me to check this tendency – and I’m sorry I wasn’t able to consult her last week as she was on sabbatical that ends next week.
And I’m not alone. I got many positive comments this past Sunday about what I did with the children, especially by those who were happy for me to confirm their anti-Christian bias.
I look forward to the day when those who are not Christian in our congregation would catch what I did and be just as concerned as the Christians, seeing the harmful impact even though they may not have felt personally offended. When we can be that sensitive and generous with each other, we will be fulfilling the beautiful vision of Unitarian Universalism many of us seek to develop here.
Rev. Sam
More from our blogs:
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A HUGE thank you to all who participated in our community breakfast last Saturday, May 18. We had great fun making guests feel like kings and queens. We also uncovered a phenomenal cook who could crack the beautiful eggs from the Metz farm with one hand! We hope you will join the fun for our next breakfast on Saturday, June 15! Talk to Carol Butt about what role will fit you the best to participate:
catzen1944@gmail.com or 518-439-6629.
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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.
Congratulations to member Tina Haq and our snow removal tech, Quintain Murray who both graduated from UAlbany last week!
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.
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 provide 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 visits and “check in’s” from Caring Network members. Please reach out to the
Caring Network
if you need.
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Albany UU Young Adults Hike
This
Sunday, May 26
, the Albany UUYA spring event will take place following the service. The group will meet in Channing Hall by the windows before leaving for a hike at Thacher State Park. Learn more
here
.
Getting to Know UU
We invite you to join us
Saturday, June 1 at 8:45 AM
for “Getting to Know UU,” an orientation for newcomers. Learn more
here
.
Walker Book Group
Join the Walker Book Group for a potluck and discussion on
Sunday, June 9 at 5:30 pm
in Channing Hall.
We will discuss three short stories: “The Trojan Sofa” by Bernard MacLaverty, “A Silver Dish” by Saul Bellow, and “The Way We Live Now” by Susan Sontag. Learn more
here
.
UU Weekend: Put it on your calendar now!
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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!
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.
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RELIGIOUS EXPLORATION
Leah Purcell, Director of Religious Education (RE) and Family Ministry,
(on sabbatical)
Find information on Leah's Sabbatical
here
.
Faith formation of children and youth this Sunday, May 26:
Nursery/Toddler
Rooms open at 9:45 AM.
“
P
l
a
y
D
a
y”
for all ages
upstairs in Rooms 24/25 & 26 starting at 10! Games, puzzles, card-decorating and free play.
Ela Kessel is Religious Education Office Assistan
t and Sunday Superintendent is Elizabeth Baldes. Leah Purcell is on sabbatical until June, please see Elizabeth or Ela if you need anything.
Next week: Sundae Sunday!
Nursery/toddler room will open at 9:45. Children invited to multigenerational service honoring RE volunteers, followed by ice cream in Channing! Yum!
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SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES COUNCIL (SRC)
-Matt Lesniak, SRC Chair,
email
SRC recommends the following:
Volunteers needed for FOCUS Food Pantry. Saturday, May 25, 10 am-1 pm
Two Albany UUers are needed this weekend to staff the once monthly food pantry at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Albany. There will be fewer customers than usual because of the holiday weekend, but the pantry will be open and still very much needed. Please let Matt Lesniak at (518) 426-1385 know if you are interested. 275 State Street, Albany
Climate Town Hall with Representative Paul Tonko, Tuesday, May 28, 6 pm
The congress member will talk about his efforts to advance climate action in Washington, and will take questions related to the climate. There will also be an opportunity for attendees to share their climate experiences and observations. There is more information about Tonko’s plans at
Tonko.house.gov/climate
. HVCC Field House at the McDonough Sport Complex, 80 Vandenburgh Avenue, Troy
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Our 2019 General Assembly Albany UU Delegates are:
Dawn Dana
Dick Dana
Kathy Harris
Tammy Hathaway
Amy Lent
Jean Poppei
John Sherman
Peggy Sherman
Other important info:
Rev. Trumbore will be away attending UUMA Ministry Days and UUA General Assembly in Spokane, Washington, from Sunday June 16 through Sunday, June 23. He will be back in the office Monday morning, June 24.
Office Administrator, Tammy Hathaway will be away attending AUUA Admin Days and UUA General Assembly from Monday, June 17 through Monday, June 24. She will be back in the office Tuesday morning, June 25.
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Green Sanctuary's Tip of the Week
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Living our 7th principle
A few tips as it starts to maybe, hopefully, finally look like spring...(this one is worth repeating)
1) Buy “select-a-size” paper towels. You will already be using half the amount of a regular towel each time you tear one off. PS: They also make great napkins.
2) Reuse those gently used paper towels or napkins as handy wipes for removing food from dirty dishes or greasy pans or for quick clean ups. This is the only time that double dipping is encouraged.
3) Use the backs of previously printed papers as draft copies in your home printer. Mom was right! Most of what we print at home isn’t that important, so save the new paper only for special things.
4) Use reusable shopping bags. Most stores offer them for a very low price (or free). Besides, NYS has banned single use plastic bags which will go into effect in the coming months. Why not get a head start?
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Regular events and meetings
Check Windows Weekly for changes to date, time and location.
Sundays
11:45 AM Inclusivity Team (1st)
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)
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)
6:15 PM Board of Trustees (4th)
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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: AlbanyUU
password: EEthelredBrown405
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 (unless otherwise posted)
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
).
Photo credit: Kathy Hodges
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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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