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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February 23, “Spiritual Renewal From Mardi Gras through Lent and Beyond,” Rev. Sam Trumbore and Matt Edwards
Appreciating the music from New Orleans with our former Music Director Matt Edwards and his band, we will learn about the season of Lent that begins with Ash Wednesday, February 26 and end on Maundy Thursday, April 9 right before Easter. Whether we are Christian or not, this is a good time for spiritual renewal.
To make this an enjoyable Sunday, please bring Mardi Gras masks and decorated umbrellas that are traditional for this holiday (the colors are green, gold and maroon), beads and a King Cake to share after the service.
Music:
Matt Edwards with his band, Buck2Fifty
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SUNDAY SERVICES
10:00 am
March 1, “Funding the Vision of Who We Are and Who We Are Becoming,” Rev. Trumbore
Funding support for all the good work we currently do and building the vision of who we aspire to become.
Music:
Elena Karpoff
and
Albany UU Choir
ANNOUNCEMENTS
George Allen Memorial Service
A memorial service will be held for George Allen on
Saturday, Feb. 22 at 11:00 am
in the Sanctuary, followed by a reception in Channing Hall. Contributions of finger foods for the reception are welcomed and encouraged. We do have permission to park in the UAlbany Hawley Lot for this event.
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. We ask that envelopes remain unsealed for reuse. Thank you for your help.
Youth Con Help Needed!
Our youth group is hosting up to 60 UU youth and youth advisers from Upstate NY to stay in our building for the weekend of Friday, Feb. 28-Sunday. March 1. We are so grateful for Albany UU adults who have volunteered to be chaperones, part time advisers, and help with meals!
AT THIS POINT WE NEED VOLUNTEERS to prepare breakfast on Saturday
. Can you prepare and bring in a breakfast casserole by 8:00am?
Maybe something like this?
Let Leah know! dre@albanyuu.org
Building access during Youth Con - Plan ahead
Often volunteers come to the building “off hours” to attend to business. Our youth are holding a District Youth Conference at Albany UU from
5:00 pm on Friday, Feb. 28 to 9:00 am on Sunday, March 1
. As we work to provide a safe and secure environment for the youth and their advisors, please plan your work so that you don’t need to be in the building during any part of the Con. If it is something unavoidable, please contact Leah Purcell in advance: dre@albanyuu.
Ruth Salter Memorial Service
A memorial service will be held for Ruth Salter on
Saturday, April 25 at 11:00 am
in the Sanctuary, followed by a reception in Channing Hall. Contributions of finger foods for the reception are welcomed and encouraged.
Financial Aid for GA 2020 in Providence
General Assembly is an immersive, inspirational experience that is open to everyone, whether you are a lifelong UU or just getting to know our congregation. GA will take place in
Providence, RI from June 24-28
. Apply now for Albany UU travel stipends using
this form
. Additionally, the UUA offers financial aid; information and applications are at
uua.org/ga
and due by March 31.
Are you--or a friend--looking to make some money occasionally?
Albany UU MUST build a larger pool of Building Hosts and Dishwashers. These are occasional gigs that are needed for rental events. Building Hosts ensure events go smoothly and dishwashers help when food is being served. The pay is $15.00 per hour.
We can also use a
‘backup’ Sunday custodian
in case our regular person needs the day off. The job is from 8:00-1:00 on Sunday morning and entails a multitude of small tasks that enable our service and classes to go smoothly, setting up coffee hour and washing the dishes. Some lifting is required. The pay is also $15 per hour.
If you are interested in hearing more about any of these opportunities, contact Tammy Hathaway, Church Administrator at 518-463-7135 or
admin@albanyuu.org
. And pass this on to anyone who might be interested!
Albany UU AV Equipment
It seems we are having some equipment issues that need resolving. We are missing some HDMI cables (both blue and black, and red and black) and other connector cables. If anyone, who has used their own laptop with one of our projectors or other equipment and has mistakenly taken one home, please return it to the church office.
Also, equipment and connector cables are not being properly returned to their bags and/or boxes. Each computer bag should contain a power cord and HDMI cable. Each projector container should contain a power cord, VGA cable and HDMI cable. If your meeting or event is using AV equipment, please ensure that all cables, cords and machines are put neatly back into their bags and/or boxes. This will minimize items becoming misplaced or lost. If you have any questions, please contact the church office. Thank you!
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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 and Youth
11:00 AM
- Coffee Hour, Channing Hall
11:45 AM
- Green Sanctuary Committee, Room B-7
Quick Links
Denominational Affairs Links
Helpful Local 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 recorded and acknowledged in writing for tax purposes at the end of the calendar year, please use and write your name on one of the envelopes that are available on the table in the Community Hall lobby. Thank you very much for your generosity.
Albany UU Safety
A reminder that the West St. door will remain locked on Sunday mornings. Though it will be locked from the outside, the West St. door may still be used to exit the building at any time. The Washington Ave. lobby doors will be locked 15 minutes after service begins and reopened again from 11-noon. A Welcome Table or Greeter volunteer will remain in the Lobby for the duration of the morning to monitor doors. We continue to appreciate your patience as we make this transition. If you have questions, please call the church office
.
Planning for Weather Emergencies
In the event of severe weather, a decision to cancel Sunday morning RE classes will be publicized by 9:00 PM Saturday.
A decision to cancel Sunday meditation and the service will be publicized by 8:00 AM Sunday.
The cancellation of all other classes, programs and meetings depends on a decision by the chairperson. We hope to receive information enabling a cancellation announcement two hours before the event start time.
Notice of all cancellations will be posted on our website and Facebook and by email sent through Constant Contact. Sunday service and programs will also be announced on local TV and radio stations through the “School Closing Network”.
Publication deadlines
This is an important reminder that the news and article deadline for Windows Weekly is
9:00 AM on Monday
and submissions to the OOS is
9:00 AM on Tuesday
. The office has been pretty soft on holding folks to these deadlines. We need to tighten this up, making these deadlines more firm in order to be more effective in our work. We thank you for your cooperation and understanding.
Warmth for the Homeless
Please gather blankets, sleeping bags, warm coats, etc. for those experiencing homelessness and put them in the bin in the coatroom. Thanks you!
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Healthy on Lark celebrates Black History Month,
Friday, Feb. 21, sign-in 5:30, program 6:15 PM
with a vegan happy hour, including Vegan Soul Food, Black poetry and music. 274 Lark St, Albany.
African American Cultural Center of the Capital District. Saturday, February 22,
African Orisa Jewelry Making 12 PM. 135 S. Pearl St., Albany.
See events
here.
“
Just Mercy
: a Facilitated Discussion,” Saturday, Feb. 22, 2-4 PM
of the book and movie led by Denise Kirkley-Cain, Minister in the United Church of Christ. Unity Church, 21 King Ave., Albany. Learn more
here.
The film "Once Upon a Time When We Were Colored," Saturday, Feb. 22, 6:00pm
, followed by discussion at The Heritage Library, Macedonia Baptist Church, 172 N. Allen St., Albany. Light refreshments served at 5:30 pm.
Joyful Noise
, Sunday, Feb. 23, 6:30 PM
Capital District Spirit Choir. An evening of song including traditional gospel, contemporary church music, soulful pop classics. Audience participation,
Unity Church, 21 King Ave., Albany. Learn more
here.
Albany Public Library Black History Month Film Series, Monday, Feb. 24, 6-8PM
. “Brother Outsider: The Life of Bayard Rustin.” Howe Library, 105 Schuyler St. Register for movies and events
here.
SUNY Schenectady presentation, Wednesday, Feb. 26, Noon-1 PM.
The History of Black Wall Street. Elston Hall, 78 Washington Ave., Schenectady.
“The Mountaintop
,”
Feb. 28 and 29 at 7:30 PM; 3 pm on Sunday, March 1
- a play about Martin Luther King in Memphis in 1968, presented by Confetti Stage. The Linda WAMC’s Performing Arts Studio, 339 Central Ave, Albany. Learn more
here
.
African American Cultural Center of the Capital District.
Friday, February 28,
Teaching Black History Through Theater 6 PM. 135 S. Pearl St., Albany. See events
here.
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CELEBRATE SPRING AT THE SPRINGING IN THE RAIN AUCTION!
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Please join us for this annual fundraising event on Saturday, March 21 at 6:15 PM. Bid on wonderful items and enjoy socializing with your fellow bidders while sampling tasty hors d’oeuvres, beverages, and desserts. Free child care will be provided for auction attendees.
The first fixed-price auction items will be posted this Sunday, Feb. 23 in Channing Hall. Check out the bulletin board for these very reasonably priced selections. Among the tempting offerings: a holiday sing-along, hikes, a weekend getaway, and a variety of delicious and affordable meals. Keep your eye on the board regularly since items will be added as more donations are received. Please Note: You can bid on fixed-price items even if you cannot attend the auction.
Sign up on Sunday in Channing Hall to attend the auction for only $5 ($7 at the door). Let us know if you are a first-time auction attendee and your fee will be waived! Consider donating an item or service by completing the donation form in your Order of Service this Sunday. Find more info
here
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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, Dan Miyake, Phil Rich, Randy Rosette, 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 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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Wine and Cheese!
It's the 15th Annual Wine and Cheese tasting event on
Saturday, March 7, 7:00 pm
. Raffle tickets will be sold during Coffee Hour starting Sunday, Feb. 2. Found out more
here
.
Exciting Event - Whitewashed!
March 13 at 7 pm
,
Albany UU is hosting a free performance of
“Whitewashed: the racism project,”
an original documentary theater performance, based on Black history, current events, and the personal experiences of the cast. Learn more
here
.
Walker Book Group
Join the Walker Book Group on
Sunday, March 8 at 5:30 pm
in Channing Hall. We will begin with a potluck supper followed by a lively book discussion. Newcomers are always welcome. Find out more
here
.
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RELIGIOUS EXPLORATION
For the Faith Development of children and youth this Sunday
The Nursery/Toddler Room
opens at 9:45.
No Sunday school this week; children will attend the Mardi Gras Service in Community Hall with their families, starting at 10:00.
Special meeting of High School YoUUth
starts at 10:00 in Room B-8
to finish planning their upcoming youth conference. Afterwards all yoUUth are invited to a outing at Bard and Baker Boardgame Café in Troy
https://www.bardandbaker.com/.
More info about YoUUth events in the new weekly publication
The UUnicorn
.
Don't miss these events!
Parents and guardians of youth: Register your youth for the con – CONfUUsion Feb 28 – March 1
Pot Luck and Family Circle Training,
Friday, Mar. 13
–
Pot Luck and Family Circle Training
–
We’ll gather to learn a tool for you to use as families, to strengthen your connections and communications at home. Learn more
here
.
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SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES COUNCIL (SRC)
-Matt Lesniak, SRC Chair,
email
February is Black History Month!
SRC Recommends:
Young Authors Night, Tuesday, Feb. 25. 6pm,
161 Washington Ave, Albany. Join us as we celebrate Black History Month by recognizing some of Albany's young authors and illustrators from Henry Johnson Charter School. Refreshments will be served. Community Room at the Main Branch Albany Library
FLEX AVE dance performance, Friday, Feb. 28, 7:30pm
,
The Egg at Empire State Plaza. "FLEX AVE" features 10 dancers presenting solo and group improvisational works set to a live DJ mix of reggae, hip-hop and pop music. Performers use movement to express personal stories of injustice, inequality and struggle through a dance style known as flexn. While the concert is free to those who mention Albany City Schools at the box office, donations will be gratefully accepted.
“Invitation to Participate in Democracy"
The "Pop-up Postcard Writing Program" for February 9 and 16 produced more than 50 postcards. Each postcard contained an individual message from the writer's heart. The pop-up program will continue from time to time -- sometimes without prior notice. Please watch for it and participate -- or spend some time writing letters, postcards, e-mails, or making calls to your politicians. Find addresses at
www.house.gov
and
www.senate.gov
.
Reminder
- Single use plastic bags will be banned in NYS beginning March 1. Keep in mind as this day fast approaches, many second hand shops have supplies of reusable bags - cheap.
Raise Your Voice for End of Life Choice
GET INVOLVED.
Compassion and Choices staff are urging supporters of the Medical Aid in Dying Act to join them at the Capitol. They attribute enactment of New Jersey’s end of life choice legislation to the constant presence of volunteer advocates in Trenton and want to replicate that presence in Albany. Try it; you’ll like it! Session days include February 24, 25, 26 and 27 and March 2, 3, 4, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25, 26 27, 30 and 31. Get details from Amanda at
acavanaugh@compassionandchoices.org
.
SAVE THE DATE.
On Thursday, March 19, from 12:15-2:00 at the Colonie Library,
Death with Dignity - Albany
presents "An Insider’s View of the Medical Aid in Dying Legislation - What You Need to Know,” featuring Amanda Cavanaugh, Campaign Organizer for Compassion & Choices NY, and David Pratt, MD. They will review key elements of NY’s bill, the bill’s status, and how similar laws have been implemented in other states.
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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!
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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Regular events and meetings
Many of these events and meetings take a hiatus in the summer, check with the church office before coming in.
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
10:00 AM Philosophy Discussion (weekly)
1:00 PM Bridge (weekly)
Wednesdays
10:00 AM Projects & Quilts (weekly)
7:00 PM Choir Rehearsal (almost weekly)
Thursdays
1:00 PM All Sides Considered (1st & 3rd)
6:30 PM Board of Trustees (4th)
Saturdays
9:00 AM Community Breakfast (3rd)
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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: 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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