Windows Weekly July 4, 2019
Albany UU Windows Weekly
Greetings,
Welcome to Windows Weekly, Albany UU's central source for news and updates. Have a safe and happy holiday. Enjoy!

-Blessings
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 .
Sunday Service 10:00 AM
July 7 “Soft and Strong,” Viola Abbitt

Our day to day existence is faced with many challenges. To deal with them, we need to exhibit a certain amount of internal strength. But, we also need to be able to find that softness within ourselves which will allow us to love and find human connection, because, ultimately, what would the world be without it? Come, and explore what it means to be both soft and strong.

Viola (Vee) Abbitt is a candidate for the Unitarian Universalist ministry and just finished a two-year internship at the Unitarian Universalist Society of Greater Springfield in Massachusetts, Vee has previously worked at Albany UU as a Summer Services Coordinator.

Music: Al DeSalvo















Sunday Services
10:00 am



Welcome to summer at Albany UU!


Summer at Albany UU
Our summer services begin on Sunday, June 16 and continue through Sunday, 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 pulpit.
-- 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 here !

July 14 “Ten Lessons I Learned from Pete
Seeger,” Pat Lamanna

Pat Lamanna had the privilege of getting to know Pete Seeger at a weekly peace vigil they both attended. She paints a picture of this remarkable man (who was a UU) through his songs, his words and stories about his life. 2019 is Pete’s centennial year, born May 3, 1919, so a good time to celebrate the life of this American icon.

Pat Lamanna is co-chair of the Social Justice Committee at the UU Fellowship of Poughkeepsie, and an award-winning singer-songwriter.

July 21 “To Heal or To Heel – THAT is the
Question! Where Do We Find Our Truth?” Rabbi Norman Mendel

Standing at a conveyor belt of fact and fiction. Our task is to sort out one from the other- HOW?

Rabbi Mendel is presently serving as part-time Rabbi at Temple Beth El in Glens Falls after fifty years of rabbinic service in the United States and abroad. He has focused on the importance of interfaith dialog and has taught collegiate –level Judaism, World Religions, Biomedical Ethics and Social/Political Philosophy.

Music: Alyssa Yeager

July 28 “Transforming Play,” Eileen Casey-Campbell

Let's explore how play can be a spiritual discipline for us, and the playful perspective of a child might help us envision a new path into our own whole and creative selves. Perhaps play can even transform a hurting world.

Eileen Casey-Campbell is a candidate for UU ministry and the contract minister at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Canandaigua. Her heart is pulled by the ways we are called to work, play and love together to build up a world that is healed and whole. After an internship at Albany UU in 2017-18, she is filled with joy to return for this Sunday.

Music: Elena Karpoff




Announcements

Summer Office Hours Schedule
A reminder that the Albany UU summer office hours have officially begun. They are 9:00 am - 1:00 pm, Monday - Thursday until Monday, Sept. 2.

Holiday Office Hours
Please note that the Albany UU office will be closed on Thursday, July 4 and Friday, July 5. Have a safe and wonderful holiday!

Community Breakfast
Our next community breakfast is coming up July 20, 9 to 11. Please sign up on the sheets in Channing Hall to help produce a friendly, nourishing breakfast. We need people interested in shopping on Thursday, setting up on Friday and helping with the breakfast itself on Saturday. We will have a representative from the League of Women Voters this time to offer voter registration. There is a supply of posters in a pocket near the sign up board. If you can take some to post, that would be a big help. Thanks, Carol Butt

Albany UU Photography
If you see Jan McCracken or John Sherman attending Albany UU services, events or activities with a camera, never fear - they are supposed be be here! They will be taking some pictures for use on our website, social media and promotional materials. If you don't wish your image captured for all eternity for that purpose, please let them know and they will respect that. Also, we are aware that there might be families who wish their children's image not be posted. All images depicting children will be vetted by Leah Purcell, our Director of Religious Education and Family Ministries. If you should have questions, please call the church office. Thank you!
Sunday Schedule

9:00 AM
- Mindfulness Meditation, Sanctuary

9:45 AM
- Nursery/Toddler Rooms open

10:00 AM
- Summer Service, Community Hall

11:00 AM
- Fellowship, Community Hall Alcove




Quick Links



Denominational Affairs Links



Sign up for a class or event

- Send and email to: registration@albanyuu.org
- 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.
 


From our Blogs
JOYS and CARING CORNER
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.

We light a candle of concern for member, Kathy Gordon , who broke her tailbone a few weeks ago. She is totally housebound and is currently in therapy. For cards of support, Kathy's address is: 
385 West Highland Drive, Schenectady, NY 12303  

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.
UPCOMING EVENTS
East of Hudson Potluck!
The next East of Hudson Potluck will be at the home of Karen and Peggy Kaufmann in Schodack on Friday July 26 at 6 PM. Please RSVP to Karen at (518) 477-9034.


Homecoming Sunday - September 8
It's never too early to plan!
Bring water (real or virtual) gathered during your summer (at home or away) to symbolize the regathering of our community. Send a couple photos of your summer for inclusion in the slideshow to office@albanyuu.org by Sunday, Sept. 1. Plan on lunch after the service! Everyone is invited to a light lunch in Channing hall right after the service and bring a “finger food” if you're willing and able.


Walker Book Group
Join the Walker Book Group for a potluck and discussion on Sunday, Sept. 8 at 5:30 pm in Channing Hall. We will discuss  The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai . Learn more  here .


UU Weekend: Don't miss out!
Have you registered for UU Weekend at Silver Bay from October 18-20, 2019? First-timers will receive an additional 10% discount! Children under 6 are free and there are substantial discounts for older children and youth.  Learn more here .
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
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.
General Assembly 2019 - UUA follow up information!
What a great General Assembly we had. All of the events that took place in the main hall such as the Opening Ceremonies, the business meetings, the Ware Lecture, the Synergy Bridging Ceremony, the Sunday Morning Service and the Closing Ceremonies were recorded and are now available on the  UUA website . Additional resources, such as the amended texts of the Actions of Immediate Witness and the accepted Congregational Study Action Issue will be published to the UUA website in the coming weeks.
This year at GA there were two conversation sessions held. The first titled  Redeeming the Promise of Our Faith , was centered on the work of the Commission on Institutional Change. The second titled  The Heart of Our Faith   which looked at what it means to embody "The Power of We?" There were three questions asked of the participants for each of these sessions and the questions were sent home for congregations to discuss and provide feedback. Check the UUA website for the video of the presentations and the questions. Feedback opportunities will be coming soon.
RELIGIOUS EXPLORATION
-Leah Purcell, Director of Religious Education and Family Ministry (DREFM), lpurcell@albanyuu.org

Summer Session of RE!

Childcare for children starts at 9:45 AM. Please pick up your children immediately following the service.

Children and youth are welcome to stay with their families for the service. Or they can come upstairs for childcare. Volunteers and our childcare workers staff the nursery/toddler room for our youngest ones; and room 24/25 with activities for those in preschool and older. Middle school and high schoolers are welcome to help out. We start shortly before 10:00; pick up directly after the service. Please be sure to sign your child in and out with one of the staff. Everyone is invited for cookies and lemonade in the back of Community Hall after the service. 

It’s all for fun! Come Volunteer!
Summer session of RE is a great time for me to get out some art projects. And the children of all ages also enjoy free play with our unit blocks and other materials. We staff summer session with three volunteers or staff: one person (youth or adult) in the nursery/toddler room; one person (youth or adult) in room 24/25 with the multi-age-children’s activities; and one adult "floater" to check on both rooms and fill in as needed. Are you ready for some summer fun with our children? You can volunteer just one Sunday or as many as you like June 16 – Sept 1. Contact Leah Purcell at dre@albanyuu.org

Religious Education Open House
Saturday, Aug. 24,t 10 AM – 12 PM
Open House for participating families to register for 2019-2020 RE, find out what's being planned in their child(ren)'s groups this year, and reconnect with Albany UU friends. Also open to the public for prospective families to check us out. Bring a friend!
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES COUNCIL (SRC)
-Matt Lesniak, SRC Chair, email

SRC recommends the following:


Very important event that Albany UU folks should show up and be a presence:

On Friday, July 12, Lights for Liberty : A Vigil to End Human Detention Camps, will bring thousands of people to locations worldwide as well as to detention camps across country, into the streets and into their own front yards, to protest the inhumane conditions faced by refugees. Find much more information about local, national and international events here:
Green Sanctuary's Tip of the Week
Living our 7th Principle

Plastic Free July - Here is an interesting challenge for this month. Check out the quiz at :


There are a number of suggestions that should help you reduce your plastic use.


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 (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)
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.
First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany
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
General: www.AlbanyUU.org

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
First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany | 518.463.7135| 518.463.1429 | Admin@AlbanyUU.org | AlbanyUU.org