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 in the many ways provided online - all described below.
-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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Sunday Service
10:30 AM
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ONLINE
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April 5 -
AT 10:30 AM
- Hudson-Mohawk UU Cluster Worship Service with Paula Cole Jones
All are invited
AT 10:30 AM
(note different time
) to a joyous online joint service. Join us in reflection and song as we are inspired by UUA congregational Life staff member Paula Cole Jones. Discover a new language of community that results in greater well-being and builds Beloved Community. Help bring our UU faith to life as together we explore a counter-cultural approach to supporting inclusion and pluralism
The service will be followed by a workshop
at 12:30 PM
presented by Paula Cole Jones on Sociocracy and “community of communities”.
Music Provided by Various Local/Regional UU Societies
Sunday Collection for HMUU
If you'd like to make a contribution to the HMUU service fund, click
here or send your check with HMUU on the memo line to the church, 405 Washington Ave., Albany, NY 12206. Mail is being forwarded while the building is closed.
By phone: 1-646-876-9923 Meeting ID: 2990187785
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SUNDAY SERVICES
10:00 am -
ONLINE
April 12, “Easter: The Spirit of the Deathless,” Rev. Sam Trumbore
Easter celebrates death is limited. Winter cannot stop the spring from coming. The cycle of death and birth isn’t limited by individual deaths. The death of the great Rabbi Jesus cannot stop the transmission of this transforming and healing message to us today. Let us celebrate life’s spiritual continuity in the face of death with our fellow Christians.
Music Provided by Elena Karpoff, Chris Jensen and Randy Rosette
April 19, “Earth Day at 50,” Rev. Sam Trumbore with the Green Sanctuary Committee
Much has happened in the last fifty years to give us hope yet much remains to be done to prevent so much environmental harm that comes from human activity. Even though the fate of humanity is beyond our individual control, we can play a role in efforts that can make a positive difference. The Green Sanctuary Committee will lead this service with Rev. Sam.
Music Provided by Elena Karpoff, Chris Bystroff, Chris Jensen, Randy Rosette
April 26, “Roots and Wings,” Dan Miyake, Intern Minister
These times, they are a’ changing … Unitarian Universalism is a Living Tradition – one whose faith is not dead and stagnant, or chained to concrete slabs of dogma or creed. Our denomination lives and breathes by its ability, its necessity, to change while holding onto its roots for stability. In our roots we find our strength and foundation, but change is the vehicle by which we move forward to new ideas, new visions, and new actions. Now, more than ever, we must hold onto our roots very tight as we prepare to fly full force into an unknown future.
Music Provided by Elena Karpoff, Randy Rosette
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 Collection
If you would like to make a contribution to the Sunday Collection "Plate", click
here or send your check, with Sunday Collection on the memo line, to the church: 405 Washington Ave., Albany, NY 12206. Mail is being forwarded while the building is closed.
Here is the information and helpful hints to access the service online via Zoom each Sunday:
Sunday services will be online via Zoom at 10:00 AM EST (EXCEPT this Sunday, April 5 will start at 10:30 AM). There will be no service, religious education or other activities in the church building until further notice.
Our Zoom link for the service is here:
Or perhaps this one will be easier to remember:
You do not need a camera or a microphone on your computer to join.
Another option to access Zoom is by phone. The phone number to dial in is: 1-646-876-9923. You will be asked for a meeting ID. Enter: 2990187785
A couple of helpful hints:
-When you're coming into the meeting and a window comes up with a few options, select "computer audio on".
-If you come into the meeting and see a lot of little squares with people or names in them; look in the upper right hand corner of your screen; you'll see the words "speaker view" - select that. You want to be in "speaker view" and not "gallery view".
-The "Alt H" key stroke will open chat.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
Another Virtual Party!
Bring your own...whatever and join Rev. Sam on zoom this
Friday, April 3 at 7:00 PM. This was so fun last Friday, we decided to do it again! See you then!
Use this link to join:
By phone: 1-646-876-9923 Meeting ID: 2990187785
Congregation Zoom Check Ins
Let's meet together electronically to see how we're doing in these challenging times and offer mutual support.
Friday, April 3
from 7-8:30PM (Zoom Party - see above!), Tuesday, April 7, 2-3PM, Wednesday, April 8 from 4-5PM, Thursday, April 9 from 11-12PM.
Use this link to join:
By phone: 1-646-876-9923 Meeting ID: 2990187785
Albany UU Sings
Do You Like to Sing? Join your friends and sing your heart out
every Wednesday evening at 7:00 PM
! We will supply the music and the lyrics. Sing along in Virtual Community. Hope to see you there. Contact Randy
rosette_jensen@juno.com
with any questions.
Use this link to join:
By phone: 1-929-436-2866 Meeting ID: 935725639
Spirit for Life
Starting in April, intern minister Dan Miyake will host an ongoing programmed Zoom group that will have a more spiritual and reflective tone. This group will operate as a “shared ministry” in that participants will be invited to share offerings of poetry, readings, prayers, meditations, or spiritual practices with the group as we help one another stay grounded, hopeful, inspired, and connected.
If you were unable to attend the organizational meeting but still want to participate, please contact Dan directly at
intern@albanyuu.org
.
Climate Workshop
The Green Sanctuary Committee will host a Climate Solutions Zoom Workshop on
Sunday, April 19 from 2:00 – 3:30 pm
. We will be using the cutting edge simulation model En-ROADS, created by Climate Interactive and MIT.
In the workshop, participants can propose various climate solutions then test these approaches using En-ROADS so that the impact on global temperatures can be seen immediately. Climate justice implications and other factors will be discussed.
Try your hand at building a climate future using the best available research. The resulting experience is hopeful, scientifically-grounded, action-oriented, and eye-opening.
If you plan on attending, it would be useful to
download this handout
illustrating the various types of policies that can be modeled.
Use this link to join:
By phone: 1-646-876-9923 Meeting ID: 2990187785
Scheduling Zoom Meetings
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 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!
April is...Annual Reports writing month!
To prepare for our virtual annual congregational meeting on Sunday, May 17, we gather reports from all our active groups at Albany UU to document what we have done (and are doing!) this year.
The deadline for submitting reports is
Monday, April 27
. An email has been sent out to committee chairs, team leaders, trustees and staff with more information. If you are in a leadership position and you did not receive this email, please let Tammy know. Likewise, if you have any questions about the annual report process, contact Church Administrator Tammy Hathaway:
admin@albanyuu.org
. Thank you!
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BUILDING BELOVED COMMUNITY
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Even though we've passed our April 1st benchmark, the stewardship campaign continues and we need all of you now more than ever! Many thanks to all those who have already pledged.
If you haven't returned your 2020-21 pledge, you can still do so in these ways:
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Mail your pledge to the Albany UU office. (Mail is being forwarded)
LET'S GET GROWING!
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Bringing awareness to the history, perspectives and concerns of people who are not in the majority, to “de-center” the views of those who are white, straight, cisgender, able-bodied, etc., and make room for others’ experiences, talents and voices….
While everyone is feeling the effects of the coronavirus spread, the impact is not felt equally by all cultures or communities. It is harsher on the emotional and physical health of the poor, vulnerable and marginalized, including immigrants and communities of color…
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Creating Sabbath Space
From our partners at Soul Matters -
What do families need most right now?
There are a lot of answers to that question. So many that it makes your head spin. Stay healthy. Keep active. Check in with family by Skype or Zoom. Wash your hands. Donate. Watch Netflix.
In the midst of all this advice, the voice of religion can sound a bit odd. Here’s its answer: “In times of trouble, be extra sure to keep the Sabbath.”
In other words, “Be sure to set aside time and a space for worship, rest and connection.”
Simply put, that’s what this resource is all about. Our partners at Soul Matters want to help families carve out “sabbath space” in their homes and weekly schedules. We want to honor ancient spiritual wisdom that says worship, rest and connection are a must, not “extras” to be fit as we can. Especially during trying times.
But what does that look like when we’re cut off from our church buildings? “Well,” says the voice of religion with a smile, “Who says you can’t build a space for the sacred in your home?” In fact, home worship and home altars are a central part of family life for
so many
religious traditions. Catholics call them “
home shrines
.” Hindus fill them with their favorite
Gods and Goddesses
. Buddhists sometimes set aside entire rooms for
theirs
. Muslims place their prayer rugs in front of
theirs
. Some UUs, too, have home altars.
While all different, they also share a common goal: To create a space that helps one stay connected to what is sacred and nourishing. And who of us doesn’t need that right now?!
So, what might
your
Unitarian Universalist home altar look like? Well that’s what we are going to discover and create together.
Each week, at our protected member site, you can find a Sabbath Toolkit with instructions for adding a new piece to your home altar, a family worship service to celebrate that addition and some “after worship activities” to help your family lean into Sabbath rest and connection together.
And here’s the super cool thing: Other UU families from across the country will be doing this too! Just like you, UU families from Massachusetts to Indiana to Oklahoma to Oregon will be carving out room in their homes for family altars and weekly Sabbath experiences. Even though we will be physically apart, we’ll be spiritually connected.
What an adventure it will be!
With many thanks to Soul Matters and in joyful service,
Leah
More from our Blogs
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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.
Member Tammy Hathaway
shares as sorrow - Tim's dad died on March 26. They are heartbroken to be unable to share this time with family in ND, but are grateful in so many other ways.
Member, Marietta Angelotti and Pong Chan
say Happy 15th birthday to their daughter Michelle Chan!
Dan Miyake
, our Intern Minister expresses, "It is with great joy and great gratitude that I announce that I have been welcomed into preliminary fellowship with the UUA!"
Member Sigrin Newell
shares the following about former member
Peggy Slocum
:
Sunday would have been the memorial service for Peggy Slocum. There will be a formal service when the virus has been tamed. But for now, here are a few words in her memory.
Peggy was 99 when she died. Until two weeks before she passed, she was still a delightful conversationalist. In mid-life, Peggy spent 10 years in Japan and 9 years in China teaching English as a Foreign Language. After returning, she worked with many language learners here. In her 80's Peggy lived for 5 months in Sokefalva Romania, teaching at our partner church. She went again for a visit with our choir. In each country, she delighted in meeting people and participating in their lives.
To the very end, Peggy remained curious and engaged with the world. It is a joy to have been her friend.
Member Kathy Harris
shares a joy that while visiting in San Francisco, Felix Colyer Neal was born on March 17, joining his mother, Kathy's daughter Laura, Devin and his sister, Zinnia.
Lee Newberg
shares a joy; he is happy that he got a job at Kitware, Inc. in Clifton Park, working on medical image software.
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 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 friendsly “check in’s” from Caring Network members. Please reach out to the
Caring Network
if you need.
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Story Times
Tracey Hickey is reading the next chapter book,
Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sacher.
It's a great time for your child to jump on line with other children from Albany UU and start listening. Tracey will begin with an opportunity for the children to check-in about how things are going for them; that has been really nice for the children too.
Chapter books with Tracey - 7:00 pm Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays
- geared for children in 2nd-6th grade
Story Books with Leah - 6:30 pm Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays
- geared for children in Pre-K through 2nd grade.
Both are open to people of all ages.
Supervise your kids as you would at Coffee Hours; keep an eye on them, but you don't have to be right there all the time.
Use this Zoom link for both:
Or
On your phone: 1 929 436 2866 Meeting ID: 801 480 305
If you come to a 6:30 picture book reading on a Sunday, Tuesday or Thursday, you can stay for the chapter book reading that night or hop off.
YoUUth Group Check Ins
Tracey Hickey and Leah host: ALBANY YOUUTH GROUP VIDEO CHATS. We will be live around 8pm or 8:30pm each Thursday and 11:30am each Sunday, EXCEPT THIS SUNDAY the group will meet later in the afternoon. If you have a Youth, please ask them to check their GMail and tune in
!
7th and 8th Grade Check In - Sunday April 12 at noon
This will be an informal time for the youth with 2 OWL facilitators (or 1 facilitator and me). No OWL content is being offered on line.
Or dial in 1 929 436 2866
Meeting ID: 183 771 517
Not everyone came to our last meeting. I’m wondering if some of these youth would like a meeting with the opportunity for a check in and also a facilitated discussion on a topic of their choosing (not OWL related), with hand raising. Let Leah know if your child is interested in that.
dre@albanyuu.org
Rite of Passage
We meet next on
Sunday, May 3 at noon
; our task will be to plan our May 10th service.
Here’s the homework:
-Listen to the whole service from First Universalist, Minneapolis - of which we listened to the youth do the call to celebration at the meeting on Sunday
https://firstuniv.podbean.com/page/2/
How does this inform your belief statement?
Think about what you want to include in your service - readings? Music?
-Write your belief statement and record it on your phone. It should be about 3 minutes long.
Join Zoom Meeting
Dial in 1 929 436 2866 US
Meeting ID: 726 508 023
Volunteer Tutoring Among Our Albany UU Community
Would your child benefit from someone else helping them with their homework? Or do you have the ability to tutor a child or high school youth? The Caring Network is partnering with RE staff to find volunteer adult and teen tutors to work with children on line and to pair them with interested families. Email Elizabeth at
reassist@albanyuu.org if you’re interested in this for your child or if your teen is interested in tutoring. We’ll start with tutors in 7th grade and up and see how that works out.
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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
Many of these events and meetings will 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
10:00 AM Philosophy Discussion (weekly)
Thursdays
1:00 PM All Sides Considered (1st & 3rd)
6:30 PM Board of Trustees (4th)
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Going to miss a Sunday?
Online service will be recorded
For previous services:
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 - 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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