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 12, Youth Service
For Mother's Day, the youth have created a service that reflects their concern for social justice, specifically the plight of immigrant and refugee mothers and their children at the U.S./Mexico border and elsewhere.
Music:
Richard Porterfield,
piano and voice
, with Samantha Tilgner,
guitar
HYMN 21: “For the Beauty of the Earth”
HYMN 117: “O Light of Life”
HYMN 302: “Children of the Human Race”
HYMN 409: “Sleep, My Child”
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Sunday Services
10:00 am
May's theme: Curiosity
May 19, “This I Believe”
As Unitarian Universalists, we honor the voices of members of our congregation in their individual search for truth and meaning. This service provides an opportunity to hear the thoughts and reflections on life from three Albany UUs: Geoff Abbas, Jora Cohen, and Erik VonHausen. Excellent service to bring a friend.
Music:
Albany UU Choir
May 26, “We Remember Them,” Rev. Dr. Lynn Ashley
We observe Memorial Day in a service of song and story.
Music:
TBD
Note: This topic has changed from previous publications.
Announcements
Give Away the Plate
All contributions in the plate this
Sunday, May 12
will be given to the International Rescue Committee (a 501(c)(3) organization) unless otherwise marked. If you write a check, make it payable to International Rescue Committee. 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.
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic well being and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Right now, on the U.S./Mexico border, the IRC is mobilizing to provide asylum-seeking families who have been released from immigration custody with critical aid. They are also currently fundraising to provide pregnant refugees with critical care and baby supplies. In line with the theme of our service being about mothers, children, and families on and across the border, this is where our donations will be targeted.
Spring cleaning the lost and found
It’s time again to check the lost and found boxes in the Coat Room. Anything not claimed by
May 13
will be donated. Thank you!
Volunteers still needed for Community Breakfast
As a result of the Albany UU Board asking the congregation the open question, “What would it look like for Albany UU to be a good neighbor?” a proposal from Carol Butt was approved to provide a free community breakfast once a month in Channing Hall.
Our first Community Breakfast will be on May 18 and volunteers are still needed. Please contact Carol Butt, to express interest: 518-439-6629 or
catzen1944@gmail.com
.
Join us for one or both meetings to find out more: Monday, May 13, 7pm, Room B-8 and/or Wednesday, May 15, 5pm, Channing Hall.
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Sunday Schedule
9:00 AM
- Mindfulness Meditation, Sanctuary
9:45 AM
- Nursery/Toddler Rooms open
10:00 AM
- Youth Service, Community Hall
- Programs for children
11:00 AM
- Coffee Hour, Channing Hall
5:30 PM
- Walker Book Group, Channing Hall
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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Albany UU Annual Meeting
Sunday, May 19, 2019
10:00-11:00 -
Service
11:00-11:45 -
Coffee Hour
11:30-11:45 - Parents take children to assigned rooms for
childcare
and sign them in with caregivers
11:45 -
Annual Meeting
starts in Community Hall
Families needing child care
should reserve space by calling the office at 518-463-7135 so that we will be prepared with sufficient caregivers and snacks.
Light snacks
(for the adults) will be served during the meeting.
Copies of the proposed budget
to be presented at the meeting, may be picked up in the lobby starting Sunday, May 5. It is also available online
here
or at www.Members.AlbanyUU.org.
Absentee ballots
are available for those who cannot attend the Annual Meeting.
Albany UU's bylaws provide for the use of absentee ballots for elections. They are to be used by members who are unable to attend the annual meeting on May 19, 2019. Request a ballot from the church office. Ballots will be available from
Sunday, May 5 to Friday, May 17
.
Completed ballots, sealed in an envelope, must be received in the church office on or before 11:00 AM on Friday, May 17
.
Read about the candidates
here
or pick up a paper copy in the lobby beginning Sunday, May 5.
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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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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.
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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Walker Book Group
Join the Walker Book Group for a potluck and discussion on Sunday, May 12 at 5:30 pm in Channing Hall. We will discuss
Ragtime
by E.L. Doctorow. Learn more
here
.
Albany UU Humanists
Tuesday, May 14, 7 PM, Room B-8.
We welcome all Humanist and hope you’ll join us in a program facilitated by Ed Hancock. Learn more
here
.
Artist Reception, Sunday, May 19
There is new art on our walls! Come to Channing Hall during Coffee Hour today to enjoy the art by members Terry Way and Sherry Roberts. Learn more
here
.
Getting to Know UU
We invite you to join us Saturday, June 1 for “Getting to Know UU”. This orientation for newcomers is from 8:45 a.m. to noon. 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 5:
Nursery/Toddler
Rooms open at 9:45 AM.
Youth Group
is presenting the service today and children grade 4 and up will remain in service while Pre-K through 3rd have regular RE after being dismissed from service.
Next week
: “This I Believe” service for grades 4 and up, regular RE for PreK-3
rd
grade.
Religious Education Office Assistant
at the window in the lobby is Mike Myers. Sunday Superintendent is Paula Brewer. Leah Purcell is on sabbatical until June, please see Elizabeth, Paula or Mike if you need anything
River Rising, Central East Reg
ion’s
new
leadership school
is happening
July 28-August 3
at State College, PA and
August 18-24
in
Schenectady, NY. It’s for youth who will be in 9th-12th grades in the 2019/2020 school year. During this week our community youth will be challenged, learn together, create sacred space, deepen their UU values and build friendships that will last beyond the week. Among other highlights they’re planning a river trip! Registration is $525
before June 15
and matching congregation scholarships are available through CER for up to half. For more information and registration links:
https://www.uua.org/central-east/youth/goldmine
To read how River Rising differs from Goldmine (the previous CER leadership school) see this blog post:
https://www.uua.org/central-east/blog/better-together/introducing-river-rising
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SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES COUNCIL (SRC)
-Matt Lesniak, SRC Chair,
email
SRC recommends the following:
Join the Grannies for Peace Vigil at Tulip Fest
Saturday, May 11, 1 pm near the Moses Statue in Washington Park.
Grannies for Peace will be standing together to support refugees and asylum seekers at our southern borders. Families Belong Together Safe and Free!
Raise Your Voice for End of Life Choice:
Advocate for Medical Aid in Dying at the Capitol
Join us on
May 14 for Lobby Day
. Please tell Nancy Willie-Schiff (
n.willie.schiff@gmail.com
)
the dates you plan to attend so you can be scheduled for a team visit with lawmakers. ·
Putting “Heart” into End-of-Life Care
. On
May 21, 12:15-2:00
,
the Colonie Town Library
,
Death with Dignity Albany presents Jennifer Hoit, a registered nurse and a certified Death Doula. She will discuss how Palliative Care, Hospice, and Death Doulas can care for the dying with management of symptoms
and
with heart. The program is free and open to the public. No advance registration required.
Albany Advocacy Workshop, Friday, May 17
, Albany Friends Meetinghouse, 727 Madison Ave. Finger food supper begins at 5:30, workshop at 6 PM.
Implement strategic and effective advocacy tools to promote peace and justice and so much more.
Learn more and register
here
or contact David Easter,
davideaster66@gmail.com, 518-475-9532.
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Green Sanctuary's Tip of the Week
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Living our 7th principle
Bamboo cutlery and a nonplastic food tray, straw and water bottle will eliminate the need for most single-use plastics while on-the-go. “Restaurants and vendors all over the world are getting much more used to people bringing their own containers,” said Jay Sinha, a founder of
Life Without Plastic
.com, an online store.
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Albany UU Humanists Recommends
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The Capital District Humanist Society presents:
Never An Anomaly: How Blacks Have Challenged Religion Through Comedy & Literature
, presented by Mandisa Lateefah Thomas
Sunday, May 12, 1:15
(Refreshments 12:30),
Room 224, Campus Center, Sage Colleges Albany Campus, New Scotland Ave. at Academy Road
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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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